The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-04-28


surged up from the valleys. knelt upon
their native soil 10 swear eternal al
legiance 10 the Union, and went forth
to seal the oath with their blood in
marching Under the victorious banners
Of U. S. Grant. Today countless num-
oers Of his contemporaries. their children
and their ci1ildren's children, gather
about his tomb to give permanent sepul-
tire to his ashes and to recall the record
of his emperishable deeds
General Porter. in concluding, said of
| General Grant.
HE reached the highest pinnacle of
| human distinction. Men have dwelt up
on his achievements till they know them
| all by heart. The record Of his deeds
! -.ses to the sublimity Of apic. The story
OF his life is worthy the contemplation
Of ages. He needs no eulogists: his
| services attest his greatness; he did his
| duty and trusted to history for his
need of praise. The more history dis
cusses him, the more brilliant becomes
| the lustre of his name.
He was natural leader; he was born
to command. He was one of the men
| VINO marked the hours while others only
| sounded them No one can rob him of
| a single laurel; no one can lessen the
measure Of his renown. He honored the
age in which he lived and future genera
| lions will be illuminated by the bright
ness Of mis- fame. His countrymen have
| paid him a tribute Of grateful hearts
They have reared in monumental rock
| sepulcher for mis- ashes, temple to his
fame. The fact that~'it has been built
by the voluntary contributions OF the
people will give our citizens an indiTd-
ual interest in preserving it, in honoring
IL. II was not necessary for his renown
that this memorial should be reared. A
nations prosperity il his true monu-
ment. His name will stand immortal
when the granite has crumbled and
epitaphs have vanished. In the move
ment for the erection OF this memorial it
was not his reputation that was at stake.
it was the reputation Of his countrymen.
They owed sacred duty which they
could not fail TO perform. They have
reared his monument 10 a majestic
height but If il lowered above the ca
gla's fight it would not reach the sum-
NIT OF his fame. Its hawless granite is
typical Of the spotless character Of his
reputation. Its delicate lines and mas
sive proportions with the child-lke SIM
plicity which was mingled with the ma
jestic grandeur of his nature. The hall
lowed memories clustering about ii vii
recall the heroic age Of the republic. It's
mute eloquence will plead for equal sac
rifice should war ever again threaten the
~ Tn rybi on
osity has created and which service has
sanctified, his ashes will henceforth rest,
but his true sepulchre will be in the
hearts Of his countrymen.'
MRS. MKINLEY WITHDRAWS.
At this point, when General Porter be-
gan to speak, the biting wind forced
many OF the ladies in the presidential
party TO seek the shelter of the tomb.
Mrs. Mckinley, after being assisted TO
the place reserved for her on the grand
stand, had felt the force and chillness of
the wind to be more than she could en-
dure. She was therefore escorted by a
sergeant of the park police and a squad
Of officers through the crowd and TO the
apartments at the Claremont hotel,
where she remained during the progress
Of the ceremonies at Grants tomb. Alb
ner Mckinley. the presidents brother.
and Governor Black, were with her. Mrs
Mckinley is not i'll
MYOR STRONG'S SPEECH.
General Porter was followed by Mayor
Strong, whose speech was as follows:
General Pcrter:-As mayor of the
city OF New York and on behalf Of all
i+c ,ir * J:ettv
formally to accept from the Grant Mon
ument association this magnificent tomb.
1t is especially fitting that the transfer
Of this beautiful piece of architecture
should take place in the presence of the
president and vice president Of the Unit
ed States. the members Of the cabinet
and many others Of high official posi-
ton, and also the representatives of for
eign governments, who unite with US TO
honor the memory of one Of whom you
have SO feelingly spoken.
Erected. as 1t was. by the voluntary
contributions Of nearly 900 OF our fel-
low citizens. mostly from the territory
of Greater New York, it will forever per-
petuate the name and fame of one OF the
bravest military chieftains of the coun-
try.
Il render grateful acknowledgement to
the municipal authorities who selected
this classic spot TO receive his remains.
The citizens Of our city will be justly
proud Of this action, for here will be the
shrine where his old comrades will wor-
ship and where the people Of grateful
nation will journey to offer the silent tri-
butte OF sdmira ton
Let II be the Mecca where posterity
for ages TO come will gather fresh inspir-
alton for patriotism. Great In war.
greater in peace, let his memory never
fade from the heart OF a grateful nation
LAS he invoked peace for US. let US see
this his ashes repose in peace so long
as the country exists which he so hero
ically defended: aye. SO long as the wa
tiers Of the Hudson f1ow By this noble
structure. From this day forth let us
hope that every passing steamboat. GO
ing in either direction shall toll its bell
inrecognition OF the great services rem
dsred this country by the silent soldier
who sleeps within the granite walls For
such an OBJECT, gentlemen of the New
York legislature. your request vii. nave
the weigh, OF law. AS be served his
country in peace and war. making our
present conditions possible. we this Gay
reconsecrate ourselves 70 all thai is bes:
in American citizenship. 70 all that Is
best minis government, founded by the
fathers. preserved by the nartyred he /
roes and blessed by the grace OF Al |
mighty God .
The HalleIujah chorus from Handlers 1
Messiah" and the Doxology were sung
and this concluded the ceremonies a; the /