The times., 1897-04-28

hours wound, the last one kills. Envy
and malice made him at times the target
for their poisoned shafts, but their frag-
fnents fell at his feet as shattered as the
regulations OF those who aimed them,
and even the wrath OF his enemies may
now be counted in his praise
Gen. Grant was a man who seemed to
be created especially to meet great emer-
gencies- 1t was the very magnitude OF
the task which called forth the powers that
mastered It, Whether leading an attack
in Mexico, debating the terms of surrender
to countless thousands in the war of the
rebellion, suddenly assuming vast response
bility In great crises both in peace and in
war. writing state papers as President
which were to have a lasting bearing
upon the policy OF the Government, travel
ling through older lands and mingiisg with
the descendants of a line OF kings who
rose and stood uncovered in his presence
he was always equal 10 the occasion and
acquitted himself with a success that
challenges the admiration of the world In
trivial matters he was an ordinary man;
In rnonentous affairs he to wered as a giant
AS johnson said Of Milton, HE could hcw
a Colossus from the rocks. he could not
carve faces on cherry stones.'
Even his yaIor on the field Of carnage
was not superior to the heroism he dis
played when in his fatal illness he CON
fronted the only enerny TO whom he ever
surren dered. His old viii power reasserted
itself in his discrimination to complete his
memoirs. During whole months of physi-
cal torture he with one hand held death at
arms length, while with the other he
penaed the most brilliant chapter in
American history.
1t is twelve years since he left the living
here to join the other living, commonly
called the dead, and the laurel on his
brow was interwined with the cypress
His last words, uttered at the close OF his
ayoHiZing illness. Were eminentiy char
acteristic of his patience aud his considera-
ton FOR others: Il hope no one win be dis
tressed ON my account" Now that more
tisan decade has passed since he stood
anon us, we can form better estimate
of his character than when he was close
by. Time has shed a clearer light upon
his acts; he has reached a fiigher altitaae
distance has brought him into the proper
focus, and the picture upon which We now
look appears in it's true proportions. We
see his traits nodded into perfect SYM
netrs and blended into majestic harmony.
"A tree can best be measured when it is
down
reachedthe highest pinnacle of human
distinction Men have dwelt upon his
achievements till they know them all be
heart The record OF his deeds rises to the
srfiJlfmity OF an epic The story of bis life
is worthy the contemplation OF the ages
He needs 10 eulugist: his services attest
V1a..f AFItv
to history for his need OF praise. The
more history discusses him the more bril-
liant becomes the lHster Of his name. He
was natural leader; he was born TO COM
mand He was one of the men who mark
the hours while others only sound them
No one can rob him of a single laurel; no
one can lessen the measure of bis renown.
He honored the age in winch he lived, and
future generations will be iHunlined by the
brightness of his fame.
His countrynlen have paid him tribIte
of grateful hearts; they have reared in
unonumenta al rock, a sepulchre for his ashes,
a temple for his fame. The fact that it
has been built by the voluntary centribu-
tions of the people will give our dti-
zens an individual interest in preserving
it in honoringit 1t wiz stand throughout 1
the ages upon this conspicuous pronlontcry,
this Ideal site It will overlook the
metropolis of the republic which his ef-
forts saved from dismemberment; it viii
be reflected in the noble waters OF the
Hudson, upon which pass the argosies Of
commerce, so largely multiplied by tie
peace secured 10y his heroic deeds. The
tolling Of passing bells VIII replace the
echo of his hostile guns Itwas not neces-
sary for his reDown that this memorial
should be reared. A nations prosperity
is Lis true monument His name will
stand immortal when the granite las
crumbied and epitaphs have vanished.
In the movement for the erection OF
this memorial, it was not his reputation
that was at stake; it was the reputation
of his countryulen. They owed sacred