Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-05-06
The Grant Memorial.

I
The celebration connected with the
dedication of the Grant monument yes
terday was altogether worthy of the
occasion. Nothing of popular interest or
official dignity or spectacular display was
lacking to make if the most impressive and
majestic ceremonial. The participation OF
/ the President and of all the leading repre-
sentatives of the Nation, the presence OF
the Ambassadors of foreign powers, the
attendance of the Governors of the States,
military and civil procession unequalled
since the war, an imposing naval demon
stration and mighty concourse of people
from all parts of the country-all this
splendid pageant, with the just and ap-
preciative tributes to General Grants
genius, constituted such a commemorative
tribute as has never before been witnessed
in our history.
1t is gratifying that New York has pre-
paredand consummated this memorialin an
eminently creditable manner. Every Amer
lean will feel pride that the metropolis
has erected this stately monument to the
Nations hero and has consecrated it in a
spirit worthy Of itself and of the subject.
The mausoleum is itself great achieve
ment. If there was hesitation and IN
difference at the beginning 1t was fully
atoned by the magnificent response when
the people became aroused to a just sense
of what was due to themselves and to
their great military commander. From
that time the movement has been a
splendid illustration of the best qualities
of patriotic and public spirited citizenship
In its simple but imposing architectural
grandeur the monument takes its place
among the noblest memorials Of tins
character, and its completion and ded-
ication contribute it under the finest
auspices to the Nations trophies. 1t was
essentially a national celebration. All that
vas representative in the Nation and in
the State shmed in the ceremony. But
this does not detract from the credit due to
New York which has so successfully carried
out the great project and has summoned
the Nation to Join in the browning honors
of the dedication. There was fitness IN
what was said as well as in what was
done. The brief address of President Nc
Kinley was slngularly apt, chaste and grace
full. 1t was model of fine sentiment and
beautiful expression. 1t embodied a just
estimate of the true quality of Grants
simple greatness and correctly expressed,
as beftted the Republics Chief
Magistrates, the profound and undying
sentiment with which the Republic cher
ishes the fame of its greather The more
elaborate Grafton of General Porter was a
thoughtful, judicious and eloquent tribute
to the great commander from one who
knew him in the intimacy ofclose personal
association and friendship. Ittouches both
the civil and the military sides ofhis match
less career and depicts not merely the
heroic deeds, but the shining attributes
which are the foundation of his fame.
General Grants countrymen were some
what slow in reaching a just sense of his
real greatness. His own nature was so
modest and unassuming that it did not
seem to command homage. He was so
free from all dramatic and sef-asserting
methods that his high qualities did not
at the outset impress themselves upon OBJ
servers. But this very simplicity came In
the end to augment the general estimate,
and the conservation of this stately mon
ument, with all the ceremonies surround
ING it, demonstrates how deeply and en-
duringlv he is enshrined in the nations
heart. We have erected no such maui
solemn to any other. In the popular con-
viction Grant is associated with Washing
ton and Lincoln in the trinity of immortal
leaders who have done most for the Re
public's life, but no such memorial has
been constructed for the other two. There
is only one other in all the world that IS
of the same majestic order. The body Of
Frederick the Great sleeps in a very simple
crypt The tomb of William of Orange is
onlv the chief feature of modest church
at Delft. Wellington has but one of many
monuments in st. Paul. The only maui
solemn which matches or overmatches
this is the stately Invaldes at Paris be-
meath whose glittering dome repose the
remains of Napoleon. 1t is matter of
pride that within so few years after the
death of General Grant so worthy a
memorial has been brought to completion,
and is shown that, with all the pratical
instincts and tendencies Of the American
people, there is still deep vein ofsenti-
mont in their nature,