The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-28
THE TOMB OF GRANT
President Mckinley Delivers
the Opening Address.
Mr.. CLEVELAND PHEoGN'
uE AND MCKINLEY ARE PHOIO
GRAPHED ON THE STAND.
opoce ssiON OF GREAT POMP
Sons of Confederate Veterans With On-
covered Heads Place Floral
Wreath With Crossed Swords
ON the Sarcophagus.
on the Sarcophagus.

Wreath With Crossed Swords
on the Sarcophagus.
New York. April 27.-Never but once
In the history of the world, ana never
before in the history of the United states
has such tribute been paid TO the
noble dead as when to-day with wondrous
payeaut by land and sea, the nation
dedicated the tomb that now holds the
body of its hero. Ulysses 5. Grant.
Jt was an occasion more of triumphant
eulogy and national pride than OF tuner
al rite for in these twelve years since
first the nation mourned for Grant the
keenness of grief has worn away ana III
its place there lives in the hearts or men
that hero worship which found such tu-
multous vent to-day. The greatest OF
our citizens. our soldiers, and our sailors,
to-day stood side by side with men or
fame from almost every nation or the
earth and paid, without regard to race,
or creed, or party prejudice. the last ana
long delayed honor of the living to the
dead. while the greatest throng that ever
filled the city of New York added its
surgiug pean to the roar of belching guns
and the tramp of marching soldiers.
And in that throng there was no North,
and no South, for since the soldier-Presi-
dent said, LET us have peace" the Gray
has blended with the Blue.
Before the Presidential party left the
city to take part in the dedication cere-
monies the flag-decked streets were black
with people, who cheered vociferously as
the great men drove by. When the
tomb was reached. strange sight met the
eve. All around the oval in the center OF
which stood the gray monument to Grant
were what seemed to be black hillocks.
This somber background was formed by
the thousands Of spectators who filled the
wood stands, built up from the ground on
both sides of the tomb to the level of the
steps to Its massive doors.
To the south, where the loop around the
oval met the Riverside drive, there were
two solid lines Of humanity. On all four
sides Of the monument oval the stands
were packed to oyer1owing, while facing
these crowds was the great mass OF
eager s:ght-seers, who had not beeen Of
fcially provided for.
And when it was all over, when Mayor
Strong had formally accepted from the
nation the trust of the tomb. and when
the President and his party disappeared
in the luncheon tent, sigh Of relief went
up from the crowd. for at last the hero
lay in the tomb BETTING his renown and
fttingly dedicated by grateful nation.
While the land parade was waited for,
after the conclusion Of the ceremonies,
the sky became laden and the wind in
creased until it almost hOwled around the
trees.
The waters Of the Hudson reflected the
ashen hue OF the sky and the great white
ships that foated on its bosom stood out
in almost om:nous relief. The dusty
road-bed Of the drive was whipped up
until black coats became brown. and
spectators forsook their unsheltered seats
for the protection Of the tomb pillars.
Then suddenly, under the cloud of
dust from the south between the two
black lines of people, which seemed to
meet in the perspective. came the nod
ding plumes of the soldiers. On they
marched. an endless line of white and
red and blue and gray. First passing on
the west side Of the monument oval and
returning on the north road under the
monumental arch, they passed the Pres!-
dent in review and then back again into
the black background Of humanity and
the white clouds of dust.
Surrounded by his Cabinet, his Gener-
ais, and his friends, President Mckinley
stood and reviewed the grandest mill
tary pageant ever seen in this city. There
were regular soldiers. regular sailors.
national guardsmen of the sea and land
forces, Grand Army veterans. Confed-
crate Veterans and the stripings. who
In the future may fight as gallantly as
their fathers did.
When the cheering was at its loudest
and when the wind had somewhat died
away, touching scene was enacted.
which was seecn by few.
Silently Mrs. Grant stole away
from the Presidents review
ing stand. where she had been watching
the gallant troops go by. and. leaning OH
the arm of her son. Col. Grant, made
her way to the tomb. followed only by
the members of the Grant family. The
bronze doors were opened and the widow
of the hero passed from the noise OF the
outside world into the dim quiet OF the
tomb. For about ten minutes she stayed
there, and then with her face hidden in
her hands. she left the scene.
Soon after this. President Mckinley
went aboard the Dolphin amid the BOOM
ing OF guns. and reviewed the great war
ships that lay in the shadow Of the tomb
The dense crowds still stayed in theii
seats and watched the end of the parade
Then. when the last company had pass
I'd ont OF sight of the white road bed, the
hundreds Of thousands Of spectators
sought their homes. All traffic was con.
gested. and it was hours before the tide
OF travel fell to its normal condition.
Vt 11:O4 o'clock President Mckinley
cpfnrxal tho Snnak kar,c nd ard $780,
lowed by the others who were to partici-
pate in the ceremonies. The President.
.wirh bared head. was the 6rst to enter