The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-28
AT THE TOMB.
President Mckinley Pays Eloquent
Tribute to the Dead Soldier.

cheered, as was also eX-PreSident
Cleveland. Mr.. Cleveland and Presi-
dent Mckinley shook hands as soon as
they met. The two then conversed for
a moment. While waiting for the cere-
monies on the stand to commence,
President Mckinley, Vice President Ho-
bart and eX-President Cleveland had
their photographs taken in a group.
The order in which the various dig
nftaries took their seats in the stand
was: President Mckinley to the right
Of the speakers platform, where he
was soon Joined by Speaker Thomas
B. Reed, who remained in animated
conversation with the chief magistrate
for some time; ex-President Cleveland
and Mayor Strong conversing together
to their left. The first row Immediately
back of the platform was occupied by
the Grant party, Col. Fred Grant being
on the end, escorting his mother. I'm
mediately back of the Grant family
were seated the members of the presi-
dents family, including Mrs. Mckinley,
Mr.. and Mrs. Abner Mckinley and
Miss Maud Mckinley.
The exercises commenced with the
singing of America A solemn silence
then fell on the dense crowd, as the
venerable bishop, John P Newman. in
voked the blessing Of heaven on the
ceremonies. Many of the people joined
in the Our Father" which concluded
the bishops prayer
AS soon as the prelate had taken
his seat the hymn of thanks, Old
Netherland Folksong, was sung by
the chofsters. Another mighty cheer
arose as President Mckinley, after the
singing of the hymn, moved to the rail-
Ing Of the speakers stand to deliver
his address. He was introduced by
Mayor Strong, who said: II now have
the pleasure Of introducing President
Mckinley to you, the president of the
United States
AS the president removed his hat,
cries came from all sides: Put your
hat on; we'll excuse you" The presi-
dent. however, stood with barred head
despite the nipping wind that swept
across the exposed stand, and delivered
his address as follows:
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
Fellow Citizens: great life dedicated to
the welfare Of the nation, here finds its earth
!y coronation. Even If this day lacked the
of pageantry, it would still be memorable, be-
cause it is the anniversary of the birth Of
one or the most famous and best beloved of
American soldiers. Architecture has paid
high tribute to the leaders of mankind but
never was memorial more worthily bestowed
or more gratefully accepted by a free people
than the beautiful structure before which
we are gathered. In marking the successful
completion of this work we have as wit
nesses and participants representatives of all
branches of our government the resident Off
Gals of foreign nations, the governors Of
states and the sovereign people from every
section of our common country, who joined in
this august tribute to the patriot and citizen.
Almost twelve years have passed since the
heroic vigil ended and the brave spirit of
Ulysses S. Grant fearlessly took It's fight
Lincoln and Stanton had preceded him. but
of the mighty captains of the Grant was
the first to be called. Sherman and Sheridan
survived since Joined
the other shore.
The great heroes Of the civil strife on land
and sea are for the most part now no more
Thomas and Hancock, Logan and McPher-
son, Farragut, Dupont and Porter and a
host of others, have passed forever from hui
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 purposes.
great life never dies Great deeds are
imperishable; great names immortal. Gen.
Grants services and character will continue
undiminished in influence and advance in the
estimation of mankind so long liberty
mains the cornerstone of free government
and integrity of life the guarantee of good
citizenship.
Faithful and fearless as a volunteer soldier
intrepid and invincbIe as commander-in-chief
Of the armies of the Union, calm and conf
dent president of reunited and strength
ened nation, which his genius had been in
strumental 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 individuality, his bearing and speech
his simple ways had a flavor of rare and
unique distinction and his American.sm was
so true and incorporating that his name
will stand for all time as the embodiment
of liberty, loyalty and national unity.
Victorious in the work which under Divine
Providence he was called upon to do; clothed
with almost lmitless power, he was yet one
of the people-patient, patriotic and just.
M n tlTrh fhn ha1n -
his mind, while fame was powerless to swerve
him from the path Of duty. Great as he was
in war, he loved peace, and told the world
that honorable arbitration of differences was
the best hope of civilization.
With Washington and Lincoln, Grant has an
exalted place in history and the affections Of
the people. Today his memory Is held in
equal esteem by those whom he led to victory
and by those who accepted 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 national spirit
which has triumphed the differences of
the past and transcribed the limitations of
sectional lines. It's completion which we pray
God to speed, will be the nations greatest
glory
1t is right, then that Gen. Grant shou'd have
a memorial commensurate with his greatness
and that his last resting place should be the
city of his choice to which he so at
tached in life, and Of whose ties he was not
forgetful even in death. Fitting too, is it,
the native river on whose banks he first
learned the art OF war and Of VIII oh he became
master and leader without a rival.
But let us not forget the glorious distinc-
ton with which the metropolis among the fair
sisterhood of American cities has honored his
life and memory. With all that riches and
sculpture can do to render the edifce worthy
of the man. upon a site unsurpassed for mag
nifcence, has this monument been reared by
New York as a perpetual record of his illus
trious deeds In the certainty that as time
passes around it will assemble with gratitude
and reverence and veneration, men of all
Chimes races and nationalities
New York holds in its keeping the precious
dus of the silent soldier; but his achievements
what he and his brave comrades wrought
for mankind-are in the keeping Of seventy
millions Of American citizens, who will guard
the sacred heritage forever
OTHER EXERCISES.
The vast crowd listened with keen
attention to the presidents words, and
at intervals broke into cheers when
some incident of the dead soldiers ca
reer was alluded to. Even those who
were to far removed from the speaker
TO hear word seemed to be as much
interested as those who were within
earshot At the conclusion of the
presidents address, Col. Grant ad-
vanced and shook him warmly by the
hand The two men stood in the fore
ground of the wonderful picture and
the spectators applauded.
1.-The Star Spangled Banner" was
played by the band, after which Gen.
Horace Porter was introduced by the
mayor. The orator of the day was
accorded a warm reception. More dis
Greet than the president. Gen Porter
kept his hat on while he was speaking
Gen. H. H. Porter, who was the
orator of the day. in concluding, said
re Con Grant