The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-19
STATUE OF GRANT
Gift of the G. A. R. Unveiled in
the Capitol ROtunda.

Washington, May 19.-The statue of
General Grant presented by the G. A. R.
to the nation was unveiled in the great
rotunda of the capitol today and elab-
crate ceremonies commemorative of the
event were held in the hall OF represen-
tatlVeS IN the presence OF a vast con-
course of people who included the widow,
daughter and descendants of the hero
Of Appomattox, hundreds OF his COM
rades in arms, the officers and commit
tee of the G.. A. r. and many persons
distinguished in military, political and
social circles.
The statue of the pre-efhinent chief of
the union forces in the civil war, rep
resehts h contributions of thousands
of his comrades of the @. A. r.. none Of
whom was allowed TO subscribe more
than 10 cents and is the result of a move
ment started shortly after General
Grants death at McGregor, in uly, 1885.
1t is the work of Franklin Simmons, an
American sculptor. OF marble of heroic
size, 1t stands on a granite pedestal en-
blazoned with a bronze seal OF the q.
A. r., representing the grim old hero in
the full uniform of a general equipped
for the field with top boots and gaunt-
let's, his cloak over his left arm and his
right hand resting on the h1lt OF his
sword. The counterfeits of statesmen,
soldiers and pioneers in marble and
bronze adorn the old house of represen-
tatives' chamber of h capitol, now
statuary hall, out these are gifts of in
dividual states.
Grants statue was unveiled in the ro-
tunda as beftted the statue of one
whose valiant service was for the Whole
nation. There it will remain with the
statues of Jefferson, Hamilton and Lin
coin, which also are III the rotunda, an
example and an inspiration to future
generations. The hero of Appomattox
stands near the western entrance flank
ed on either side by the famous paint
ings of the Surrender of CORVALLIS"
and the surrender of Burgoyne."
The unwilling took place shortly be-
fore noon in the presence OF Mrs. Grant
Mrs. Sartoris, Miss Sartoris, the officers
of the G. A. r., Speaker Henderson and
Senator Frye, president pro tenn of the
senat The fact of the unwilling was
kept secret and only a few outsiders
witnessed it. There were no ceremonies
Mrs. Sartoris. attired in white, drew
the lanyard that uncovered h statue
Mrs. Grant inspected it critically ano
smiled her approval. The party Their
repaired to the hall of the house Whert
the ceremonies occurred.
IN THE HOUSE.
The ceremonies in the house were
profoundly impressive.
They consisted of addresses by Mr.
McCleary CMinn.); Mr.G %rosvenor 0Ohio)
Mr.. Richardson CTenn.); Mr.. Wardel
Qlls); Mr.. Linney North Carolina); Mr.
Gardner Odich.); Mr.. Brosius Pa); anc
Mr.. Dolliver Qowa).
The gallery opposite the speakers ros-
trum had been reserved for members Of
the G.. A. r.. and was rowde will
griZzled veterans who came to pay tr1-
butte to the emo of their loved com
handler. In the area IN front of ths
speakers desk sat the officers of the
Grand Army and the committee ap-
pointed by the Grand Army enca1np'
ment at Philadelphia who had beer
granted the privilege of the floor for the
occasion by a special resolution of the
house.
In the gallery reserved for Mrs. Gran
n her family were Mrs. Grant, he
daughter. Mrs. Nellie Grant Sartoris
Lieut.. Sartoris, Miss Sartoris and Mis-
Grant, a daughter of Col. Fred Grant
Exactly at II Speaker Henderson'S a
el fell. After an impressive prayer b!
the bin chaplain the committee of tn
Grand Army, among whom were Com
mander-in-chief Albert D. Shaw; Gen
s. s. Btrdett. Gen. r. B. Heath, S. Y.
Commander-in-chief Irwin Robbins
Chaplain-in-chief &c. L Grimm wer
ushered into the house.
After the speaker had announced tn
order Of the day Mr.. McCleary (Minn.)
chairman of the committee on library
sent to the clerks desk and had real
! the letter addressed to the speake
: presenting the statue of General Gran
I to the nation.
! Mr.. McCleary then offered the follow
! ing resolution:
Resolved by the house. the senat
concurring, that the thanks of congress
, be given to the Grand Army of the Re
public for the tatue of L. S. Grant.
Resolved, That the statue be &C
cepted and be placed in the capitol, an
! that a copy Of these resolutions, signe
, by the presiding officers of the hous
of representatives and the senate b
a forwarded to the chairman of the com
! mittee of the G. A. r. on the Gran
: memorial"
The eloquent e~ulogies of Genera
! Grant which followed were listened t
= attentively, and several times wrun
! round after round of applause froT
! floor and galleries.
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