Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-25
SUNDAY. ............AFRlL 70, 1871
GENERAL GRANT.

That neace hath its victories no less
renowned than war has been said afore-
time. But when it comes 20 posthumous
honors. it is the military and not the CIVIL
hero who receives more.
Several monuments have been erected
TO the memory Of Lee (aud none better
than he deserves. but the monument 10
Davis is vet TO be built Lincoln has
handsome monument over his grave.
and others scattered here and there
throughout the North; but no such memo
rlal structure has been erected TO INN
as TO Grant.
The tomb OF Grant IS one Of the finest
in the world. OF course, it has not the
grandeur and everlastingness of The
py1amiAs. nor the architectural elegance
of Hadrians tomb in Rome, though we
see that structure now stripped OF its
statues and ornaments. Nor can it I'M
press men as does Napoleon's superb
tomb in the Hotel des Invalides; yet, IN
some respects. Grants tomb surpaasses
any of these. 1t is located where it viii
not only be in plain view Of the tenn
ing thousands Of New York's population,
but where it may be seen by all the nu-
rnerous tourists going 10 and fro upon
the Hudson river steamers. Nor VIII
any effort be lacking TO call tourists
attention 10 the architectural pile stand
ing maiestically upon the hilltop OF
Riverside Park. Every steamer, as IL
passes the park, Will siow-up and dip its
oolors. Thus will tho tomb furnish not
only burial place. but serve its pur-
pose of keeping alive the memory OF the
man who triumphed in war over Robert
i. Lee.
Mrs. Grant chose wisely when she Sc
lected Riverside Park as the place OF
burial for her husband and herself and
children Ii is a beautiful and convenient
location, and with such tomb over
him the name of Grant will be recalled
MANY times by the transient throng for
once that the name of Lincoln is brought
10 memory: the difference being that
Lincoln is buried in the quiet town of
Springfield, ILL.,. and Grant in the great
city OF New York.
New York city gave most Of the money
for the building OF Grants tomb. The
movement in behalf OF the monument
fund was languishing. when General llo-
race Porter, an old staff officer of Grants.
took il in hand on one Memorial-Day
and got so much money subscribed that
the enterprise was at once put beyond
the peradventure Of a doubt. On Tues
day next Porter Will play an important
part in the dedicatory ceremonies. and
shortly thereafter he will go to his post
at Paris. where he is TO represent the
United States as Ambassador
All the world will do honor 10 the
memory of Grant on Tuesday. Foreign
ships and ambassadors and ministers
will be present in token OF the respect of
their governments for the character and
fame of Grant. All the States of the
Union. 100. will be represented there by
prominent officials, or by veterans, or
volunteers, or by all three. The Presi-
dent and his Cabinet and committees Of
Congress and large details from the
army and navy will represent the Gene
raj Government. Indeed, re- hing will be
left undone that is necessary TO make
the occasion memorable and the pa
peantry imposing. "GranrDay' in New
York and the Queens Jubilee Day" in
London will become prominent in the
calendar of 1897.
But IL must be left TO competent and
tmpartial critics OF the future 10 say
whether Grant deserves all this honor
whether no was a military genius, or
whether he won his battles only through
sheer force OF numbers and materials
OF war We cannot honestly accord him
the highest rank among the successful
generals that have lived; but our judg-
ment may be supposed TO be warped.
IL is quite certain that IL Is very differ
ent from that OF the mass OF the north
ern people. They do not know as we
know, that Grant never saw the army
OF Northern Virginia in the fun yigor
of its strength and enthusiasm. Before
ever he had set eyes upon ii, that army
OF ours had been defeated at Gettysburg
We would do wrong TO say that It's
spirit was broken. but We can truly
state that after the battle at Gettys-
burg and the fall Of Vicksburg the pros
pect OF southern independence was great
iy dimmed. We had no means OF re-
placing the men and material lost In
those campaigns.
- When Grant was called npon IN cnmi