The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-20
,,terestfng Exercises I'm Both Houses
and EuIogistic Speeches by
several Members.
GIFT FROM THE G. A. R.
MARBLE LIKENESS OF THE GREAT,
SILENT COMMANDER.
History of the Undertaking Told An a
Letter-Tribute to the Eminent,
Patriotic MissOuriaas.

WASHINGTON. May 1s.-The statue of
General Grant, presented by the Grand
Army OF the Republic to the Nation. was
unveiled in the great rotunda of the Cap
itol to-day and elaborate ceremonies COM
unemorative Of the event We're held in the
raH OF Representatives in the presence of
a vast concourse Of people, which included
the widow, daughter and descendants of
the hero Of Appomattox, hundreds Of his
comrades in arms, the officers and COM
unittees Of the G. A. r. and many persons
distinguished in military, political and So
clal circles.
The statue Of the pre-eninent chief of
the Union forces in the civil war repre-
sents the contributions of thousands of his
comrades OF the G.. A. r., none of whom
was allowed to subscribe more than Is
cents. and is the result of a movement
started shortly after General Grants
death at Mount McGregor in July, 1885.
II is the work of Franklin Simmons, an
American sculptor. 1t is marble of heroic
size. It stands on a granite pedestal en-
blazoned with bronze seal Of the G.. A. R.,
representing the grim old hero in the full
uniform Of a general equipped for the field.
with top boots and gauntlets, his cloak
ing on the hilt Of his sword. The counter
feits OF statesmen, soldiers and pioneers
In marble and bronze adorn the old House
Of Representatives chamber of the Capitol,
now Statuary Hall, but these are gifts of
the Individual States. Grants statue was
unveiled in the rOtunda befitted the
statue of one whose valiant service was
for the whole Nation. There ii will remain
with those of jefferson. Hamilton and
Lincoln. which also are in the rotunda, an
example and an inspiration to future gen.
eratiOnS. The hero of Appomattox stands
near the entrance, fianked on each side by
the famous paintings of the Surrender of
CORVALLIS" and the Surrender of Bur-
THE UNWILLING.
The unwilling took place shortly before
noon in the presence of Mrs. Grant Mrs.
Sartoris. Miss Sartoris, the officers of the
G. y r., Speaker Henderson and Senator
Frye president pro tenn. of the Senate.
The fact of the unwilling was kept secret
and only a few outsiders witnessed it.
There were no ceremonies. Miss Sartoris
attired in white, drew the lanyard that un-
covered the statue. Mrs. Grant inspected
it critically and signified her approval The
party then went to the hall of the House
where the ceremonies occurred.
The ceremonies in the House were pro-
tOundly impressive. They consisted of adj
dresses by Messrs McCIeary of Minnesota
GTOsvenOr Of Ohio. Richardson of Tennes-
see. Warner OF Illinois. Linney of North
Carolina. Gardner of Michigan. BrOsius
of Pennsylvania, and Dolliver of Iowa
The gallery opposite the speakers
TOstrum had been reserved for the members
or the q. "A. r. and was crowded with griz-
zled veterans come TO pay tribute to their
loved commander. In the area in front of
the speakers desk sat the officers of the
Grand Army and the committee appointed
by the Grand Army encampment at Phila-
delphia, who had been granted the privi-
lege of the floor for the occasion by a
special resolution Of the House. In the
gallery reserved for Mrs. Grant and her
family were Mrs. Grant, her daughter, Mrs.
Nellie Grant Sartoris, Lieutenant Sartoris
Miss Sartoris and Miss Grant, daughter
Exactly at u o'clock Speaker Hender-
sons gavel fell After an impressive
prayer by the blind chaplain the commit
tee of the Grand Army, among whom were
Commander-in-chiefA Albert ID. Shaw, Gen.
s S. Burdett. Gen r. b. Heath. Sons of
Veterans, COmmanGer-in-chief Irwin Rob-
bins and Chaplain-in-chief j. l.. Grimm
was ushered into the House.
LETTER OF PRESENTATION.
After the speaker had announced the
order of the day Mr.. McCleary, chairman
Of the committee on library, sent to the
clerks desk and had read the letter ad-
dressed 70 the speaker presenting the
statue Of General Grant to the Nation. 1t
follows:
'Sir-In accordance with the joint reso-
luton 10 accept from the National En-
campment Of the q. A. L. 2 statue and
PEDESTAL OF the late General Ulysses S.
Grant, approved Aug. II, 1890, the commit
\ tee OF the Grand Army appointed to that
END has caused such statue TO be executed
and the same is now placed in the rotunda
or the Capitol. The statue is an original
work modelled by Franklin Simmons. the
American artist, having his studio in Rome.
"A brief recital Of the origin and purpose
OF this memorial work seems proper. Gen
eral Grant, as were others of the leaders
OF the Union armies, including Generals
Sherman and Sheridan, was a comrade of
the G. \. r.. having been mustered into
Meade Post, No 1, Department OF Penn
sylvania. lie wore its badge all proper
occasions sympathized with its objects and
fraternally mingled with its membership.
IL was natural, therefore, that at Mount
McGregOr, y. y, July % 1870. his COM
rades Of the Grand Army. while mingling
their grief with that Of all their country
men, should desire in some special manner
10 sigualize their affection for his person
and their appreciation of the great serv-
ices he had rendered to his country and
TO his age.
mander-in-chef of the c. A. r. addressed
a circular letter TO the posts and depart
ments of the ORDER suggesting the creation
Of q fund by voluntary subscription, no
more than 10 cents 10 be received from any
contributing comrade, for, as stated in the
circular. the erection of a monument,
while avoiding any exaggeration of mere
motive of display, shall be in keeping with
the simplicity of the life and character of
our great leader OF such great intrinsic eN-
Cellence as shall commend itself TO the care
Of the Nation and thus through all sue
ceeding generations be our memorial as
we'll a monument 10 his fame At the
succeeding National Encampment the prof.
ect was laid before IL. met with It's hearty
commendatiOn and steps were taken TO Ia
cilitate its accomplishment. By directions
OF succeeding national encampments the
work continued until the finished re-
suit was brought within the shelter or the
Capitol and Is now presented Tor your ac-
Ceptance The fund contributed represents
the offerings OF more than 10000 Of his COM
rades. most OF whom had served In the
field aas.eT his command and ali or whom
had hailed him as their comrade in the
later Gay OF peace. In their behalf we VINO
now survive commit this sernbiance OF his
person 10 the care and Keeping OF the Ma
ton whose walls he helped 10 make strong
e.. rejoicing I'm the knowledge that the
memories II viii invoke are Of good viii to-
day and viii be OF concord through all
coming time"
The letter was signed by the committee
OF the @. A. r.. consisting OF General =
Burdett. OF Washington; Genera X
Heath. OF Philadelphia; General Russell
A Aloor or T,afroff. General Seldom Con-