The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-31
st. Gaudens's Equestrian Statue Of
Gen. william T.. sherman I'm
yelled at New York.
GRAFTON BY ELIHU ROOT
WHO EULOGIZED SHERMAN AS A
SOLDIER AND MAN.
Impressive Ceremonies at washing
tOn-CharIes Emory Smiths Ad-
dress at Arlington Cemetery.

NEW YORK, May 30.-Very appropriate
ly New York chose Decoration day for the
unwilling Of Augustus st. Gaudens's eques-
TRAN statue Of Gen. William T.. Sherman.
erected by the citizens of the metropolis in
the Plaza circle at the Fifty-ninth-street
and Fifth-avenue entrance to Central Park.
This ceremony was the principal event
In the city's observance of the day. 1t was
preceded by a parade of troops, the G. A.
r. and the Loyal Legion and of which
Major General A. r. Chaffee was grand
marshal. The parade was reviewed by
Governor Odell and Elihu Root, secretary
of war, who were accompanied on the re-
viewing stand by Mayor Low. the officials
of the Chamber of Commerce. The cord
which unveiled the statue was drawn by
Master William T.. Sherman Thackary, a
grandson of General Sherman. This was
followed by prayer by Archbishop Farley,
after which Cornelius N. Bliss, acting chair
man of the committee, presented the statue
to the city. Mayor Low accepted it on be-
half Of the corporation in a short address
and Elihu Root, secretary of war. delivered
the Grafton. saying in part:
Rarely, as the centuries pass, some
great national crisis, with the inspiration
of struggle and the test of requirements
beyond the capacity of common men. Sits
the material of a nation and reveals a man
equal to a great occasion, whose deeds
link his name forever with the decisive
events which determine the worlds prog
ress, render his existence a fact of his
toric significance and make what he was
a part of the common and familiar knowl-
edge of ank Such a crisis was the
American war for the Union. Such a man
was William Tecumseh sherman. The ire
mendous consequence to mankind of the
decision whether America was to be one
nation or a group of small and discordant
States, dimly foreseen by. the men of half
a century ago, even now only begins to be
realized by the world, which sees looming
large in the horizon of the future the i'm
measurable possibilities for good or evil
in hundreds of millions of people, free, in
dependent, self-governing, with limitless re-
sources, with vital force and energy never
surpassed, and united under one govern
ment by common institutions, a common
sentiment of nationality and general loyalty
to the same ideals.
THE part that Sherman played in the
great struggle was not merely courageous,
loyal, devoted, brilliant. 1t was essential
ly decisive. Erase it from the pages Of
history, and no human mind can divine how
the blanks would be filled. In the general
maintenance and conduct of the war, the
powerful influence of his military genius,
the strong support Of his indomitable will,
the forward impulse of his tremendous
energy, the singular nobility of his unset
fish character which, meeting like charac-
teristics I'm Grant. enabled them TO work to-
gether like brothers. All these made the
personality of Sherman an essentially de-
cisive part Of the great consummation
which determined that America was to be
free and united. We cannot add to his
fame; we cannot contribute to his immor-
tally. In peace he was constantly solic-
itous for the adoption of measures for the
future welfare and greatness of his coun-
try. He entered actively into the execu-
ton of broad and far-seeing plans for util-
izing the lessons of the civil war and i'm
proving the military system of the country
until checked and made powerless by a
vicious organization which now in this
year we are happily bringing to an end.
Again and again he put the presidency
| away from him and chose rather the in
dependence and dignity Of citizenship than
the honors of high offices, which could add
| nothing to his laurels."
The ceremonies closed with benediction
by Bishop Potter.
In all the cemeteries in and about the
CITY and at Grants tomb, at Riverside
drive, memorial ceremonies were held dur
ing the day.