The age-herald., 1901-04-28
Banquet in New York by the
 Monument Trustees CLARK HOWELL MADE SPEECH His Toast Was Grants Life as
 Peace Lesson GEN. JOSEPH WHEELER SPOKE Guests of Honor Included Many Promi. nent Americans-Beautiful Souve- mfrs Pnesented-ceIebrations
 Held In Other Cities.
GEN. JOSEPH WHEELER SPOKE


 the birth ofgU. S. Grant was celebrated by a banquet given by the trustees of the Grant Monument Association tonight at the Waldorf A portrait of Grant had the post of honor above the dais where the guests of honor sat.
 Many women sat in the galleries.
 The guests of honor were U g. Grant. Jr., Maj.-Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Maj. O.. O. Howard Clark Howell of Atlanta, Maj Gen. John R. Brooke, Maj. .-Gen. Greenville M. Dodge, Congressman c. B. Landis of Indiana, Rear Admiral Bar ker, William E. Chandler, Cornelius N Bliss, Gen. Stewart T. Woodward and Evan P. Howell. General Dodge presided. He read a letter of regret from President Mckinley and another from Mrs. Julia D. Grant, the latter expressing regret that her health would not permit her to be present. All the guests sang national songs.
 The menu card contained copies of a letter written in the excitement of bat ! tie on the field by ex-President Grant to his wife. J, M ~,+ .s.
 The souvenirs wsre pyramid of Tmita- ton cannon balls surmounted by cross of gun swabs, on which were tiny flags.
 The letters in the menu booklet were copies of letters loaned by Mrs. Grant and never before published. In a letter dated at Savannah March 29 1862, Gen. eral Grant wrote:
 ''All the islanders you have against me originated away from where was. The only foundation was from the fact that was ordered to remain at Fort Henry and send the expedition under Major General Smith. This was ordered because General Halleck received no report from me for nearly two weeks after the fall of Fort Donelson. The same occurred with me. I received nothing from him. The conseuuence was I apparently totally dis regarded his orders The fact Is he was ordering me every day to report the con dition of my command. When l was or dered to remain behind it was the cause of much astonishment among the troops of my command and also disappointment. never allowed a word of contradiction to go out from my headquarters. Ton need not fear but what will come out triumphantly. I am pulling no wires, as political generals >do, to advance myself. | have no future ambition My object is to carry on my part of this war success fully, and am perfectly willing that others may make all the glory they can make of 1t.
 lslened) "ULLS" The Presidents letter of regret was as follows:
 Dear General Dodge: The kind invita- ton of the Grant Monument Association, through yourself, was duly received, and I regret very much to find that my duties here prior to leaving for the Pacific coast the latter part of the month will prevent me from attending the Grant birthday banquet on the 27th instant 1t would nave been a great pleasure for me to be able to join with you and the members of your association in honoring the memory of General Grant, and I wish to assure you that appreciate the courtesy of the in- vitation. Please convey my cordial greet ings to those assembled. at the banquet and believe me, very sincerely yours,
 CIVILIAN MCKINLEY"
 Boxes were occupied by friends of Con gressman Landis, R. A Smith, Major General Dodge, Mrs. Grant, Genera Wheeler, Mrs. George Taylor, Mrs. Ras- tus Ransom and Mrs. John c. Coleman.
 When the speechmaking began Genera Dodge introduced MT. Landis saying; "l present to you the son of surgeon who served with distinguished honor in the civil war and was wounded on the battle field, Congressman Landis of Indiana (Prolonged applause.) He was frequent ly interrupted by applause. MT. Landis toast was Grant
 The toast Grants Life as Peace Lesson was responded to by Clark How ell of Atlanta. He said:
 q am not unmindful. MT. Chairman that in paying tribute to the man ir honor of whose memory we are assem- bled here tonight. am environed by cir cumstances that, under some conditions would embarrass the frank utterances oi my own sentiments and clothe my word: with import not their own.
 come to speak with you of the les. sons learned from the life Of a leader and I am of the people against whom his legions were led to victory an6 around whom the whitening embrace ol his iron arm was closed in the grip ol war. There Is scarce a valley in the Southern States that does not shelter ir its bruised bosom reluctant monuments To the triumph of that great soldier General Grant.
 But have not come to speak of the ac- complishments of war. which have right ly placed his name among those of the great warriors of the world. l am moi here to paint a picture of the mighty tide that swept on and on under his mas terful direction until all who opposed were overwhelmed in the culminatine food at Appomattox. It would i'll be cobe me to exult in the memory of his triumphant leadership of victorious hosts as they returned to joyous homes under the streaming banners of victory.
 It is natural and proper, MT. Chairman that those who shared his sympathies and dangers, that those and the sons oi those who followed his famous lead ir wsl-fought battles should keep forever bright the luster of his military fame