The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-28

Never before in the history Of the
world. and never before In the history
OF the United States. has such tribute
been paid to the noble dead. rs when
to-day. with wondrous- pageant by land
and sea. the nation dedicated the tomb
that now holds the body Of its hero,
Ulysses S. Grant
1t was an occasion more Of triumph
ant eulogy and national pride than of
funeral rite. for III these twelve years
since first the nation mourned for Grant,
the keenness Of grief has worn away
and In It's place there lives in the
hearts OF men that hero worship which
1ound such tremendous vent to-day.
Ihei greatest Of our citizens, our sol
diera, and our sailors. to-day stood
side by SIDE with men Of fame from al
most every nation on earth and paid,
without regard TO race or creed, or
party prejudice, the last and long de-
layed honor Of the living to the dead.
while the greatest throng that ever fill
ed the city OF New York added It's surg
Ing 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
President had 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 deckcd streets were
black with people. who cheered vocife-
rously as the great men drove by When
the tomb was reached. a strange sight
met the eye OF oil around the oval In the
centre or which stood the gray monu-
ment TO Grant. we're what seemed 10 be
black hillocks. This sombre BACKGROUND
was formed by the thousands of people
VINO filled the wood stands. built up
from the ground on each side Of the
eoiilo 20 me level of the steps that led
70 its massive doors.
10 the south. where the loon around
the oval met the Riverside drive there
We're two solid lines OF humanity On
all four sides Of the monument oval
the stands were packed to overnowinc,
Whlle facing these crowds was the
great mass OF eager sightseers. who
hao not been officially provided for.
And when it was all over, when Mayor
strong had formally accepted from the
nation the trust Of the tomb and when
!he president and his party disappeared
IN the luncheon tent. a sigh Of relief
Went up from the crowd for at last
me nero lay In tomb fitting his renown
ana httingly dedicated by grateful
nation.
ALMOST a GALE.
While the land parade was waited for
atter the conclusion Of the ceremonies.
H.
creased until It almost hOwled around
the trees
Ihe waters Of the Hudson reflected
the ashen hue Of the skv, and the
great white ships that floated on It's
bosom stood out in almost ominous re.
llef. The dusty roadbed OF the drive
was whipped up until black coats be-
came brown. and spectators forsook
their unsheltered seats for the +prntnc-
tion Of the tomb pillars
ihen suddenly under the cloud or
dust. from the south, between the two
black lines of people. which seemed to
meet IN the perspective. came the nod
oins p'umes 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
ana returning on the north road under
tne monumental arch. they passed the
president In review. and then back
again into the black background OF hu-
iiiaiiity and the white clouds Of dust.
THE REVIEWING STAND.
surrounded by his Cabinet. his gene
Tals, and his friends. President McK!n-
icy $1,000 and reviewed the grandest pa
Iaue ever seen In this city. There were
regular soldiers. regular sailors, nation
a. suardsmen Of the sea and land forces,
1Tano Army veterans Confederate
Veterans and the str.plIngs who. In the
anture' may fight os galantly rs their
fathers did
When the cheering was al It's loudest
ana when the wind had somewhat died
away n touching scene was enacted
Wh'ch was seen by few. Silently Mrs
Grant stole away from the Presidents
reviewing stand. where she had been
watching the gallant troops go by. and
leaning on the arm Of her son. Colonel
Srant. made her way to the tomb. fol-
lowed only by the members Of the Grant
and the widow Of the hero passnl frnr,,
tho noise Of the ouls.de world into Inc