The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-28

| MIR. Cleveland and President Mckinley
shook hands with each other as soon as
| they met. The two then conversed for a
| moment. While waiting for the cere-
| monies on the stand to commence, Presl-
/ dent Mckinley, VicePresident Hobart
| and ex-President Cleveland had their
photographs taken in group
President Mckinley sat 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 conversed 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
| Mrs. Z. S. Grant was wrapped in
| heavy seal cape and over her lap was
heavy plaid shawl. She was dressed in
a very heavy black crepon dress.
Next to Mrs. Grant was seated her
daughter, Mrs. Nellie Grant Sartoris,
and the other members of the family. I'M
mediately back of the Grant family were
seated the members of the PRESIDENTS
family. including Mrs. Mckinley and Mr..
and Mrs Abner Mckinley and Miss
Maud Mckinley.
The third row was occupied by the
ladies of the cabinet, many members of
their families and their friends in gen.
| eral. The exercises commenced with the
| singing of America"
A solemn silence then fell on the dense
crowd as Bishop John F. Newman in
voled the blessing of heaven on the cere-
monies. Many 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 Neither
land folk song" was sung by the chorus.
Another mighty cheer arose as Presi-
dent Mckinley, after the singing of the
hymn. moved to the rail in the Speakers
stand to deliver his address. He was
introduced by Mayor Strong.
AS the President removed his hat cries
came from all sides: Put on your hat:
we'll excuse you."
The President, however, stood with
barred head. despite the nipp:ng wind that
swept across the exposed stand. The
President delivered his address as fol-
lows:
Fellow Citizens:-A great life, dedi-
Gated to the welfare of the nation, here
1
day lacked the impressiveness of cere-
mony and was devoid of pageantry, /;
would still be memorable, because it is
the anniversary of the birth of one of the
most famous and best beloved of Ameri-
can soldiers a-
Architecture has paid high tribute to
the leaders of mankind, but never was a
memorial more worthily bestowed or
more gratefully accepted by free people
than the beautiful structure before which
we are gathered.
'In marking the successful completion
Of this work we have as witnesses and
participants in this representatives Of all
branches of our government, the resident
officials Of foreign nations, the govern
ors of States and the sovereign people
from every section of our common country
who join in this august tribute to the
soldier, patriot and citizen.
almost twelve years have passed since
the heroic vigil ended and the brave spirit
Of Ulysses s. Grant fearlessly took its
fight. Lincoln and Stanton had preced-
ed him, but of the mighty captains Of the
war he was the first to be called. Sher-
man and Sheridan survived him but have
since joined him on the other shore.
1.-The great heroes OF the civil strife on
land and sea are for the most part now
no more. Thomas and Hancock, Logan
and Mcpherson, Farragut, Dupont and
Porter, and a host Of otnershave passed
| forever from human sight. Those re-
naming 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 purpose.
"a great life never dies. A great life
is imperishable: great names immortal.
General Grants services and character
| will continue undiminished in influence
and advance in the estimation of man
kind so long as liberty remains the corner
stone of free government and integrity
| of life the guarantee Of good citizenship.
Faithful and fearless us a volunteer
soldier, intrepid and invfncible as COM
mander in chief of the armies Of the
. Union, ca I'm and confident as President of
| reunited and strengthened nation
which his genius had been instrumental
in achieving we love him all the more
for his home life and home,y virtues.
, In his individuality, his bearing and
speech. his simple ways, he had flavor
of rare and unique distinction and his
Americanism was so true and uncompro-
missing that his name will stand for all
time, as the embodiment Of liberty, 10y
| atty and national unity.
'Victorious in the work which under
Providence he was called upon to do:
clothed with almost limitless power he
was yet one Of the people-patient, patri-
Otto and just. Success did not disturb the
even balance of his mind. while fame
! was powerless to swerve him from the
path of duty. Great as he was in war.
Il he loved peace, and told the world that
l hannrn differences
the best hope of civilization.
"With Washington and Lincoln, Grant
has an exalted place in history and the
| affections of the people. To-day 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 gray
here meet not only to honor the name of
! 80 ftrortaa Crrnt. hut r. testify to tho
J living reality Of fratrrnai nafiopa'
s"irit which hrs trir"rrIcA over the Aif-