Connecticut western news., 1897-04-29

vaded everything, and in the dusk sol- diers. spectators, leafless trees and even the tomb itself looked strangely som Der In their coverings of dust. Then, when the last company had passed out of sight of the white roadbeH the hum dreds of thousands of spectators sought their homes.
 While the surging crowds were still trying to seek their homes an elaborate reception to President Mckinley was in progress at the Union League club. IL was practically the consummation of the days ceremonies, the concentration of the eloquence of the day.
 Scarcely hitch occurred in the whole of this great demonstra- tion, the committees programme being carried out as already given in these dispatches.
 It Is estimated that fully 1000. 900 per- sons sat and watched for hours the 53.- 900 troops that passed in review. It was such gorgeous sight that no dust or no wind could check the enthusiasm of the onlookers, many of whom were compelled to walk out to the park, and thousands of whom came from far dis tant cities. For such huge congrega- ton of people the casualties were com paratiyely few.
 When night fell and the greatest of military. naval and civic parades ever seen here was at an end, the city as- stunned a gala aspect. The streets were full of bright uniforms of all nations, while sightseers from every part wan dered from place to place and discussed the wonders of the day.
 Once before fin the history of the world has such a ceremony been enact- ed over the reinterment of a great man. This only other instance was when the body of Napoleon was brought back from its British grave and finally laid to rest in French soil. The scenes of yesterday were almost a parallel of that ceremony in Paris, when royalists and republicans alike joined fin one great triumphal pageant In honor of the first consul, forgetting their grief over his death in the honor of his splendid memory. An old Frenchman who watched from an obscure corner the tribute to General Grant and who not only served under him, but saw the sec- ond burial of Napoleon. shouted with Gallic fervor aSd enthusiasm as the New York state~troops passed by:
 Great are Grant and Napoleon! Honored only among all men in such a way!"
 McKinIey's Tribute to Grant.
 The following is the text of President McKinley's eloquent euloey of General Grant:
 Fellow Citizens-A great life. dedicated to the welfare of the nation, here finds its earthly coronation. Even If this day lacked the impressiveness or ceremony and was devoid of pageantry, t would still be memorable because it is the anni- yersary of the birth of one of the most fa mo "a n m hes h9lnVta1 AnRTiann diers.
 Architecture has paid Nigh tribute to the leaders of mankind but never was n memorial more worthily bestowed or more gratefully accepted by free people than the beautiful structure before which we
 In marking the successful completion of this work we have as witnesses and par ticipants representatives of ell branches of our government the resident officials of foreign nations, the governors of states and the sovereign people from every sec this august tribute to the soldier and pa- triot and citizen.
 Almost i2 years have passed since tho heroic vigil ended and the brave spirit of Ulysses s. Grant fearlessly took its flight. Lincoln and stanton had preceded him, but of the mighty captains of the war and Sheridan survived him. but have since joined him on the other shore. The great heroes of the civil strife on land and sea are for the most part now no more. Thom- as and Hancock, Logan and McPherson, Farragut. Dupont and Porter, and host of others have passed forever from hu- man sight. Those remaining grow dearer to us. and from them and the memory of those who have departed. generations yet unborn will draw their Inspiration and gather strength for patriotic purpose.
 great life ns.er dies. Great deeds are eral Grants services and character will continue undiminished in influence and advance In the estimation of mankind so long as liberty remains the cornerstone of free government and Integrity of life the guarantee of good citizenship.
 soldier. intrepid and invincibie as com mander i'm chief of the armies of the Union, calm and confident as president of his genius had been Instrumental in achieving. he has our homage and that of the world; but brilliant as was his public character. we love him all the more for his home life and homely virtues. His in- dividuality, his bearing and speech, his unique distinction, and his Americanism was so true and uncompromising that his name will stand for all time as the em- oodiment or liberty, loyalty and national unity.
 Victorious In the work which under di- clothed with almost limitless power, he was yet one of the people. patient. patri- otic and just Success did not disturb was powerless to swerve him from the path of duty. Great as he was in war he loved peace and told the world that hon
  best hope of civilization.
 With Washington and Lincoln, Grant has an exalted place in history and the affections of the people. Today his mem ory Is held in equal esteem by those whom he led to victory and by those who &C., cepted his generous terms of peace
 The veteran leaders of the blue and the gray here meet not only to honor the name of the departed Grant. but to testify to the living reality of a fraternal na- tional spirit which has triumphed over the differences of the past and transcends the limitations of sectional lines. Its com pletion, which we pray God to speed, will be the nations greatest glory.
 It Is right, then. that General Grant should have memorial commensurate with his greatness and that his last rest ing place should be the city of his choice to which ne was attached fin life and of whose ties he was not forgetful even in death. Fitting, too. is it that the great soldier should sleep beside the noble river on whose banks he first learned the art of war. of which he became master and lead- o-, without rival.
 But let us not forget the glorious dIs- tinction with which the metropolis among the fair sisterhood of American cities has honored hts life and memory. With all the edifce worthy of the man. upon a site unsurpassed for nagnificence, has this monument been reared by New York as a perpetual record of his illustrious deeds around 1t will assemble. with gratitude and reverence and veneration, men of all climes. races and nationalities
 New York holds in its keeping the pre- cious dust of the silent soldier, but his achievements. what he and his brave com rades wrought for mankind. are in tho keeping of 70 900 GOO of American citizens, who will guard the sacred heritage for ever and forevermore.