The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-05-07

VII DoiAb %
The greatest throng that ever filled the city
of New York added it, surging pean To the roar
Of belchlng guns AMI the ramp OF soldiers.
And, In that throng there was no north and no
south. for since the soldier-president had said
Let US have peg sc, . the gray had blended with
che blue.
Before the presidential party left the city to
cake par In the dedication ceremonies the flag
-decked streets were black with people who
chcered v0ciferously as the great men drove by.
All around the oval. in the center OF which
stood the gray monument TO Grant. were what
seemed to be black hillocks. This somber
background was formed by the thousands OF
spectators who filled the Stands, built up from
the ground on both sides OF the tomb To the
level OF the steps that lead to the massive
doors.
To the south. where the loop around the oval
met the Riverside drive. there were two solid
lines OF humanity. On all four sides Of the
monument oval the stands were packed TO over
lowing, while facing these crowds were the
great mass Of eager slghtscers who had not
been officially provided for.
AT n onn
by eight o'clock vast crowds had arrived at
the tomb, and those who were fortunate enough
20 possess tickets emitting them 10 seats on
stands took their places in the gaily-decked
structures and prepared for the long wait that
was to ensue before the arrival 81 the notablcs
and military pageant. The less fortunate ones
selected standing places from which they could
see what occurred. The police were early on
hand and established "a line around the grand
stand and the monument aud along the road
way that was To be traversed By the troops. The
elaborate preparations which had been made
1pr handling the crowd bore good fruit. There
was comparatively little confusion. ana those
who desired to reach their places on the onicial
Stands had no difnculty in doing SO.
A feeling OF reverence for the great warrior
whose renown was to be perpetuated was fire.
auently manifested by persons in the
xDrging crowd surrounding his sepul-
cher. Gray-haired men were frequent
~ 20 be seen lifting their hats as they
wer borne past the tomb in the stream OF
humanity, and one touching incident occurred
early in the morning. An aged darkey with
SNOW white locks and stopped figure stopped near
the foot OF one of the flights OF steps leading TO
che monument. He carried in his trembling
hand a small bunch OF violets which he tim
kdiy asked a policeman 10 place at the en-
rrnnce of the tomb.
He helped to make M q free man, boss, ex-
plained the old negro.
Tn policeman hesitated an instant, and then
cnsgnting the steps, laid the paltry token OF
gratitude at the foot Of one OF the columns OF
ehe tomb.
As the carriages containing the distinguished
party passed between the wall Of people on the
roadway the air resounded with cheers. The
president acknowledged the ovation by smiling
szad bowling. The party assembled the stage on
xstc vest side OF the tomb, and the band sta
xsoued near by played patriotic airs
At it:04 o'clock President Mckinley entered
xke speakers stand. and was followed by others
~ke we're TO participate In the ceremonies. The
president. with barred head. was the first TO en-
ftrr the stand. He leaned on the arm Of Mayor
STRONG. who kept his hat on. The president
was loudly cheered, as was also ex-Pre.ident
Cleveland, who appeared with ex-Secreiary
rrScy