Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-28
A GREAT TRIBUTE.
Never before I'm This Country Has
Such an One Been Paid.

Never before I'm This Country Has
such an One been Paid.
NEW YORK. April 27.-Never but once
IN the history Of the world, and never
before In the history of the United
States. has such a tribute been paid to
the noble dead as when. to-day, with
wondr0us pageant by land and sea, the
nation dedicated the tomb that now holds
the body Of its hero. Ulysses S. Grant.
It was an occasion more of triumphant
eulogy and national pride than the fu-
neral rite. for in the twelve years since
first the nation mourned for Grant, the
keenness of grief has worn away. and
IN its place there lives in the hearts of
men that hero worship which found
such tumultuous vent to-day. The great
est OF our citizens. our soldiers, and our
sailors to-day stood side by side with
men Of fame from almost every nation
OF the earth. and paid without regard
10 race, or creed. or party prejudice, the
last ard long-delayed honor of the living
10 the dead. while the greatest throng
that ever filled the city of New York
Va
belching guns and the tramp of march
ing soldiers. And in that throng there
was no North, 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-
L. 4 h1,o ol-
with people. who cheered vociferiously as
the great men drove by.
AT THE TOMB.
When the tomb was reached q strange
sight met the eyes. All around the oval
in the centre of which stood the gray
monument 10 Grant were what seemed
TO be black hiEocks. This sombre back
ground was formed by the thousands Of
spectators who filled the wooden stands
built up from the ground on both sides
Of the tomb, to the level of the steps of
the massive doors. To the south. where
the loop around the oval met the River
side drive, there were two solid lines of
humanity. On all four sides Of the monu-
ment oval the stands were packed TO
overfowing. while facing these crowds
was the great mass of eager sight
seers, who had not been officially provided
for.
And when II was all over. when Mayor
Strong had formally accepted from the
nation the trust Of the tomb, and when
the President ard his party had disappear
ed In the luncheon tent. a sigh Of relief
went up from the crowd. for at last the
hero lay in a tomb behtting his renown.
and httingly dedicated by grateful ma
tion.
While the land parade was waited for.
after the conclusion Of the ceremonies.
the sky became leaden, and the wind
increased, 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 floated on its bosom
stood out in almost ominous relief. The
dusty road-bed Of the drive was whipped
up unfit black coats became brown. and
spectators forsook their unsheltered seats
for the protection Of the tomb pillar.
THE LAND PARADE.
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 nodding
piumes Of the soldiers. On they march
ed. an endless line Of white, and red,
and blue. and gray. First passing on
the west side Of the monument oval. and
returning TO the north road. under the
monumental arch. they passed the Presi-
dent in review, and then back again into
the black background of humanity and
the white clouds Of dust
Surrounded by his Cabinet. his generals,
and his friends. President Mckinley stood
and reviewed the grandest military pa
geant ever seen in this city. There were
regular soldiers. regular sailors. national
guardsmon Of the sea and land forces.
Grand Army veterans. Confederate vete-
rams. and the striplngs who in the future
may fight as gallantly as their fathers
did.
SONS OF CONFEDERATES.
the Sons OF Confederate veterans, VINO
were 70 arrive at the tomb at $50 o'clock.
and place a floral wreath, with crossed
swords on the sarcophagus. were an hour
Gate IN reaching the scene. They were
headed by James II. Branch. commander
in-chief OF the Sons of Confederate Vete-
rams. The tokens were reyerently laid
on the sarcophagus by General j. B.
Gordon. while his comrades stood by with
uncovered heads.
When the cheers was at it's loudest
and when the wind had somewhat died
away. a touching scene was enacted.
which 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
Grant made her way 10 the tomb, fol-
lowed only by the members Of the Grant
family The bronze doors were opened,
and the widow OF the hero possed from
the noise OF the outside world into the