The evening times., 1899-02-08

succeeding years OF peaceful, productive
Industry New life pulsed through all the
nations stagnant arteries; new lustre
shone on the fields of the triumphant ban
ner-only the dead were lost TO Us fcrev-
er. And yet how gioriously they livei
They live as e precious, golden memory.
They live as a shining example, priceless
lesson. an inspiration OF immortal hope.
They live in the sclid archway of our ma
tionality buttressed in their valor and
sprayed with their blood, that spans
continent with its splendor and gathers
from the seas their tribute TO its glory.
Although they sleep in silence all around
us here and are dead to us, yet in the
chronicles Of heroism. in the scheme OF
omnipotence, they live in fadeless immor-
talfty.
"0ne CT General Grants first acts when
assigned 10 the command of a brigade was
an invitation 10 RaWlins TO join his stalf.
The summons was eagerly obeyed. ard
from September Is, 1861 until the end of
the war he was il constant attendance
upon his chief. except during August and
September, 1864. when absent on sick leave.
The influence Of the subordinate on his
commander soon became strong; it con-
tinued to strengthen with The lapse uf
time; it was an honor and benefit to both
for it was never selishly nor unwiseiy eX
ercised.
Genius ef the Man.
ITO Rawlins was largely due the rhe-
nomenal unity of purpose, personal friend
ship. and cordial cooperation which dis
tinguished the final leaders of our cause
The feuds and hatreds among military com
manders have become proYerbial-practi-
cally inevitable. But in 1855. Grant Sher-
man. Sheridan, Logan, Meade, Thomas, and
all the others in high command were link
ed together in bonds of confidence and es-
TEEN, such no similar occasion has ever
witnessed. Ard the unseen modest artisan
who welded all the links of that golden
chain. the genial personality which gath
cred these proud and fiery spirits into one
cOmpanionship of patriotism. for the coun-
try's inestimable good and eternal credit
was John A. Rawlins. He was the COM
rade and confidant of all; he brought them
and kept them together.
Spontaneous Tribute.
- spontaneous tribute paid to Rawlins
by his companions in arms at the close of
the war was significant and characteristic.
On April %, 1865, at Raleigh. y. c.. the
officers who had served with the army of
the Tennessee, then about TO disband, met
10 organize society which should preserve
the friendships and memories OF their war
service. On resolution offered by Gen. f.
l.. Blair. Brig. Gen. John \. RawIins. L.
). y. Chief OF the Staff 10 the Lieutenant
General. in consideration cf his eminent
services TO our country in connection with
Ihis army, and also his ability for the po-
sition,' was unanimously elected president.
No finer. more conclusive expression OF re-
gard was ever paid 10 an absent but re-
membered comrade. Rawlins had been
separated from these officers for more than
year, by service with his chieftain on a
distant field. But their hearts turned tu
him with undiminished yearniRg. They
paid him the highest honor within their
gift; from among The scores OF noble :ames
before them. with one accord, they chose
him as the first president of the Society
OF the Army OF the Tennessee. He was an
Rually reelected until his death vacated
The chair, and from then until now he haC
but two successors: William T. Sherman
and Granville NJ. Dodge. A member of tha
society. l bear its feryent testimony tina
This notable distinction was justly confer
red. native Of imperial Illinois, wher,
RaWlinS and Logan were Graded. wher.
Lincoln and Grant were dedicated to free
dom. 1 feebly voice TIE homage of hel
loyal millions to the memory OF an illus
trious son.
Grant was elected President and Raw.
lins became Secretary of War. He was tn,
youngest member Of the Cabinet Hi
health was fatally impaired, and within 81.
months he had passed away. One of hi
early official acts was to so readjust III
relations of the department to the General
in-chtef as 10 give Sherman new statu
aS Commander Of the Army. II is beliey
ed that this brief period witnessed III
most harmonious accord of function Know
10 our military administration. Anothe
noteworthy feature marked this fragmen
iary term OF civil service RaWlins Wa
fhsN. .gl,,
In the last Cabinet meeting he attends
ne Fehemently supported the proposition
TO aid her in the effort then making 4
throw of the yoke of Spanish tyranny
Unfortunately he was oyerruled, and TO an
other generation was transmitted the dut
then neglected.
His final utterance was thus the prophe
cy of ultimate America; his last official ac
protest against moral cowardice; his dy
ing but deathless legacy TO us a brave sum
mons to the propaganda of freedom.
In the thirty years that have elapse
since his departure changes have occurre
which make this consecrated Arlington
more appropriate resting place for the re
mains Of Rawlins. a recent Congressionf
enactment provided for their removal an
the re-erection of the monument on thi
sacred ground. That final act of benignan
obligation has been consummated and W
are here today. comrades of the Grand Ar
my of the Republic, companions of III
loyal Legion, members of other army SO
cieties. officials of the Government. reYer
ing citizens, sympathetic women and in
quirirg children, 10 make brief, unpreten
tiouS demonstration of our interest in III
event. His surviving daughter gladden.
the occasion with her presence. His onl
son is here, but is barred by affliction frol
Witnessing the homage paid TO the fathe
whose military record has been the jo
and jewel Of his life; returning to his hon
a year ago from a short journey, with eye
sight suddenly obscured, he said: Lea
me TO my fathers sword and sash; / car
not sit down until / touch them and kno
that they are safe In success or in Vi
cissitude these children of hero thes