The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-05-23
STATUE OF GEN. GRANT.
Given a Place In Historic Statu-
airy Hall.
GIFT OF GRAND ARMY.
Unveiled in the ROtunda of the Cap.
ito1 in the Presence of Mrs.
Grant and Others.


Grand Army Of the Republic to the ma
ton, was unveiled in the great rotunda
of the capitol today and elaborate cere-
monies commemorative of the event were
held in the hall of representatives in the
presence of a vast concourse of people,
who included the widow, daughter and
descendants of the hero of AppomattoX,
hundreds of his comrades in arms, the
officers and committee OF the G. A. X.
and many persons distinguished in
military, political and social cir
cles. The statue of the pre-
eminent chief of the Union forces in the
Civil war represents the contributions of
thousands of his comrades of the q. A.
r., none of whom was allowed to sub
scribe more than 10 cents, and is the
result of movement started shortly aft
er Gen. Grants death at Mount Me-
Gregor, in July, 1885. 1t is the work of
FRANKLIN Simmons, an American sculp-
tor. Of marble of heroic size, it stands
on granite pedestal emblazoned with
bronze seal of the G. A. r. and repre-
sents the grim old hero in the full uni
with top boots and gauntlets, his cloak
over his left arm, his right hand rest
ing on the hilt of his sword"
Gift of the Grand Army.
The counterfeits of statesmen, soldiers
and pioneers in marble and bronze adorn
the old House of Representatives cham
Der OF the capitol, now Statuary hall, but
these are gifts of the individual states
Grants statue was unveiled in the rotun-
da as befitted the statue of one whose
valiant service was for the whole nation.
There 1T will remain with the statues of
Jefferson, Hamiton and Lincoln, which
also are in the rorunda, an example and
an inspiration to future generations. The
hero Of AppomattOX stands near the
western entrance ~fanked ON either side
by the famous paintings of the 'Surren-
der of CORVALLIS" and the Surrender
of Burgoyne."
The unwilling took place shortly before
noon in the presence of Mrs. Grant, Mrs.
Sartoris, the officers of the G.. A. r..
Speaker Henderson and Senator Frye,
president pro TEN. of the Senate.
The fact of the unwilling was kept Sc
cret and only few outsiders witnessed
1T. There were no ceremonies. Miss
Sartoris, attired in white, drew the Ian
yard that uncovered the statue. Mrs.
Grant inspected it critically and smiled
her approval. The party then repaired
to the hall of the House, where the cere-
monies occurred.
Impressive Ceremonies.
foundry impressive. They consisted of
addresses by Mr.. McCleary (Minn.) Mr.
Grosvenor co., Mr.. Richardson (Tenn.),
Mr. Warner Ull), Mr. Linney IN. c.,
Mr.: Gardner (Mich.), Mr.. Brosius (Pa.)
and Mr.. Dolliyer Qa.).
The gallery and the speakers rostrum
had been reserved for the members of
the G. A. Il. 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 ap-
pointed by the Grand Army encampment
at Philadelphia, who had been granted
the privilege of the floor for the occasion
by special resolution of the House.
In the gallery reserved for Mrs. Grant
and her family, were Mrs Grant, her
daughter, Mrs. Nellie Grant Sartoris,
Lieut.. Sartoris, Miss Sartoris and Miss
Grant, a daughter of Col. Fred Grant.
Exactly at II O'Clock, Speaker Hender-
sons gayel fell After an impressive
prayer by the blind chaplain, the COM
mittee of the Grand Army. among whom
were COmmander-in-C Chief Albert D.
Shaw. Gen. S. S. Burdett, Gen. r. B.
Heath, COMMUNICATIVE Chief Robbins and
Chaplain-inC Chief J. l.. Grimm were ush-
cred into the house. After the speaker
had announced the order of the day, Mr..
McCleary of Minnesota, chairman of the
committee on library, sent to the clerk s
desk and had read the letter addressed
to the speaker presenting the statue Of
Gen. Grant to the nation. 1t was as fol
lows:
Origin of the Movement.
Sir: In accordance with the joint reso
luton ITO accept from the national en-
campment of the G.. A II. statue and
pedestal of the late Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. y
approved August IA, 1890, the committee
Of the Grand Army, appointed to that end
nave caused such statue to be executed and
the same is now placed in the rotunda of
the capitol. The statue is an original work
modelled by Franklin Simmons, the Amer
lean artist having his study in Rome A
brief recital of the origin and purpose of
this memorial work seems proper. Gen
Grant, as were others of the leaders of the
Union armies, including Gems. Sherman and
Sheridan, was a comrade of the G. A. r..
having been mustered into Meade post No
|, department of Pennsylvania. He wore
its naG}e gp al proper occasions, sym
mingled with it's membership. 1t was, there
fore, at Mount McGregor, n Y, July 90
1885. that his comrades of the Grand Army
their counfrymen, shoGld desire in some spe.
cial manner to SlgnaliZe their affection for
his person and their appreciation of the
great services he had rendered to :, his conn-
"a 1885, the then c0mmander-in-chief of
the G. A. r. addressed a circular letter to
the posts and departments of the order
tary subscription, no more than 10 cents to
he received from any contributing cOmrada,
for as stated in the circular, 1.-The erection
of q monument, which avoiding all exag-
geration or mere motive of display, shall
be in keeping with the simplicity of the life
and character of our great leader; of such
intrinsic excellence shall commend it to
the care of the nation and thus through all
succeeding generations be our memorial as
well as a monument to his fame.
Received Hearty Concentrations.
At the succeeding national encampment
the project was laid before it, met with its
hearty commentator and steps were taken
to facilitate its accomplishment. By direc-
tions of succeeding national encampment
the work was continued until the finished
result was brought within the shelter of he
caDitol and is now presented for your &C
centance. The fund contributed represents
the offerings Of more than 10000 of hi,
comrades. most OF whom had served in the
field under his command. and all of whom
had hailed him as their comrade in the
later day of peace. In their behalf, we
who now survive commit this semblance oil
his person 70 the care and keeping of the
nation. whose walls he helped to make
stronger rejoicing in the knowledge thai
the memories it will invoke are of goodwill
TODAY and will be of concord through al
coming time.
The letter was signed by the commit
tee of the G. A. r., consisting of Gen
S. S. Burdette of Washington, Gen. r