The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-28

miral silas Casey, Captain Clark Captain
Coghlan, Brigadier- General Fredefiok D.
Grant Captain Algernon Sartorib and
Mayor Ashbridge.
Upon invitation of Mr. Converse, the
president made a few remarks He spoke
pleasantly Of Philadelphia, and referred to
1t as the place where great warships and
many locomotives are built. He concluded
by asking those present to rise and drink
to the splendid army and navy, which re-
quest, 1t goes without saying, was prompts
ly and cordially complied with. Secretary
Long and General Grant also spoke
briefly.
While the president was being enter
tanned at the Union League, Mrs. Mckinley,
Mrs. Grant Miss Sartoris and the other
ladies from Washington were escorted to
the handsome residence of Mrs. Joshua
Lippincott, directly opposite the Union
League, and there entertained at dinner.
Mckinley Makes Speech :.
The ceremonies of the day were concluded
by public meeting at the Academy of
Music tonight. The spacious building was
crowded to the doors. President Mckinley
and all of the other distinguished people
who attended the unwilling exercises were
present. Speeches eulogistic of the famous
soldier-president were made. The Grafton
was delivered by Hampton l.. Carson, one
of Philadelphia's leading lawyers Presi-
dent Mckinley did not intend to speak, and
III response 10 lOud calls from the auQlence5
only arose, bowed and resumed his seat
The cheering continued and became deafen-
ing, and finally the president arose and
spoke as follows:
my Fellow Citizens:-I cannot add a
single word to the just and beautiful tribute
paid to the great warrior by your fellow
citizen in this presence tonight.
81 remember half q dozen years ago to
have been in Galena delivering an address
at the unwilling of statue to General
Grant in that little home city in Illinois
and this story was told to me: That Cen
eral Grant, then captain and out OF the
service, presided over their first union meet
ing in 1S61-the first meeting after the call
of volunteers. The meeting was large
one, held in the large court house. and in
quires were made all over the room VINO
it was thus called to preside over that i'm
portant patriotic assembly. Some one SAID
1T is Captain Grant
Had Never Heard of Grant
"'Well, who is Captain Grant? We never
heard of him.
I'm four years from that time he presided
over the greatest union meeting ever held
beneath the flag, at Appomattox Court
House, and his name was upon every lp
(apoause) and his face was familiar 10
every American home. Subsequently ne
was greeted by all races and filled the
whole world with his face as he 1ourneyed
in the pathway of the sun. 0Applausel
He was that great soldier. Lincoln issued
the proclamation of emancipation, but II
took the guns of Grant to give life to that
decree He will be remembered for all time
and his name forever cherished as the So
der who preserved the union of the states
He had a sacred attachment for the sol
diers. The last time that the public ever
looked upon his face in life was on the
occasion of the parade in New YORK city,
only little while before General Grants
,s,,1f tba or of
friends and his physicians he was carried
to the window OF his house to look for. the
last time upon his comrades. (Applause)
1t was a scene never to be forgotten, and
attested his undying love for those who
had followed him from Shiloh ITO Vicks-
burg and Appomattox. 5f'-
"He not only achieved great victories In
war and great administrative trumphs in
peace, but he was permitted to do what
is given to few men to do-to live long
enough to write with his own pen the his
tory he had made in commands of the
army of the United States. (Applause).
Gen. Grants History
"What a splendid history it is, 1t should
be read by all the boys and girls of the
land. for it tells in his just and simple
and honest, but most forceful and beaut-
full, way of his trials and triumphs. He
brought the flag of our country back with
out a star erased and it is a glorious fact
to know that the union which he saved by
his sword and the peace for which he
prayed in his last moments are secured,
and that
Is North and south together brought
Now own the electric thought;
In peace common flag salute,
And, with free and unresentful rivalry,
harvest
The fields wherein they fought
Cloud applause
"And it is gratifying to us to know, as
lovers of the great warrior-it is gratifying
to us to know that the men against whom
he fought in that great civil struggle and
their descendants carried with the men of
the north and their descendants the glori-
Gus banners of the free at Santiago, El
Caney and Manila. CHEERS and applause)
And that we have a union grander than
ever-for it is union of hearts. north and
south-a union never to be broken. And
1t is gratifying to us to know that the Gag
which Grants army made glorious lost
none of its lustre as it has been carried by
the army and navy of the United States on
land and sea in two hemispheres. So long
as we perpetuate in heart the memory of
Grant, so long will this nation be secure
and enduring. Good night" Great cheer
ing and applause)