The leader., 1897-05-05

-,.. sst tbrony that ever filled the city
Nov York added its surging pean to the roar
Ssbalehine guns and the tramp OF soldiers.
~ IN tbat tbr3ng there was no north and no
.nn,b for since the soldier-president had said:
sTetu rs have peace" the gray had blended with
lbe blue.
,a,e mari in the dedication ceremonies the flag
$500 streets were black with people who
ssscred rorferously as the great men drove by.
an ground the oval in the center OF which
- the cray monument to Grant, were what
soou,sd 10 be black hilocks. This somber
Socgground was formed by the thousands of
,noot,tors who filed the stands, built up from
,Ssground on both sides OF the tomb to the
lsTel of the steps that lead TO the massive
doors.
IN the south where the loop around the oval
mat the Riverside drive, there were two solid
Zines of humanity On all four sides of the
ronurnent oval the stands were packed to over
aowing while facing these crowds were the
rroot mass OF eager slghtscers who had not
been Officially provided for.
AT THE TOMB.
By eight o'clock vast crowds had arrived at
,he tomb and those who were fortunate enough
10 possess tickets emitting them to seats on
stands took their places in the gaily-decked
structures and prepared for the long wait that
was to enSue before the arrival of the notables
asd military pageant. The less fortunate ones
selected standing places from which they could
see what occurred The police were early on
hand and established line around the grand
stand and the monument and along the road
WAY that was to be traversed by the troops. The
elaborate preparations which had been made
FOR handling the crowd bore good fruit. There
was comparatively little confusion, and those
who desired to reach their places on the official
stands had no difficulty in doing so.
A feeling Of reverence for the great warrior
whose renown was TO be perpetuated was fire.
ouenty manifested by persons in the
SURFING crowd surrounding his sepul-
cher Grdy-haired men were frequent
" to be seen lifting their hats as they
were borne past the tomb in the stream of
humanity, and one touching incident occurred
early in the morning. An aged darkey with
snowwhte locks and stopped figure stopped near
the foot OF Of the flights of steps leading to
the monument, He carried in his trembling
hand small bunch OF violets which he tim
idly asked policeman to place at the en-
trance OF the tomb
He helped to make me free man, boss, " ex-
planned the old negro
The policeman hesitated an instant, and then
mounting the steps, laid the paltry token OF
gratitude at the foot of one OF the columns of
the tomb.
As the carriages containing the distinguished
party passed between the wall of people on the
roadway the air resounded with cheers The
president acknowledged the ovation by smiling
and bowling, The party assembled the stage on
the west side of the tomb, and the band sta
toned near by played patriotic airs.
AT ll;0l clock President Mckinley entered
the speakers stand, and was followed by others
who were to participate in the ceremonies. The
president, with barred head was the first to en-
Ter the stand He leaned on the arm of Mayor
Strong Who kept his hat on. The president
was loudly cheered, as was also ex-President
cleveland, who appeared with ex-Secretary
Tracy.