The Washington herald., 1908-05-31

New York. May SO.-Secretary Taft was
the orator of the day In the Grant Tomb
Memorial Day services. Before the serv-
ices opened AT the tomb national salute
from the new cruiser Chester. anchored in
the Hudson River. was fired.
After a portion or the ritual OF the G.
A r. had been read Secretary Taft was
introduced. He spoke. in part. as follows:
There are some who think that the
civil war was unnecessary; that It might
have been avoided. I cannot agree with
them. The situation was one for which
only such convulsion as war. dreadful
as that is. could afford a complete remedy
until this day brings back 10 US the awful
losses that were entailed and renews the
fond memories of these known and IN
known heroes whose devotion TO duty ts
an ever living assurance Of the patriotism
Of this people
Day of Valued Memories.
This day should take US out OF the
atmosphere of self-seeking. Of money
making. or pleasure hunting, and OF
peaceful sIoth that we may value again
in memory the many instances that revive
Of mental and physical courage, seIf-de-
NAL. self-restraint, and self-sacrifce. The
day with its "reminiscences assures US that
the hearts Of our people to-day. eager as
they seem now in the search for wealth
and comfort. would furnish a response %
the nations call as full, as willing. and
as mighty as was the response when the
struggle for the nations existence began
in 81
We are home loving people and our
sense Of the ridiculous is very keen
almost tco keen-and in the mercantile
and general spirit We are prone TO make
light Of the explorations Of patriotism
and the forms and symbols through
which patriotism finds expression. I think
we have gone too far in this direction.
Patriotism is a real virtue and the forms
and symbols which suggest it are proper
reminders OF q serious duty and keep US
in touch with It as an elevating motive
Touches on Personal History.
The Secretary reviewed the spirit OF
the national holidays and called attention
to the tangible marks Of respect paid by
Americans 70 their national heroes.
When he came down to an appreciation
Of the life of Grant. the Secretary sur
Drised some OF his hearers by touching
upon some Of the very intimate history
OF the man. He said:
1T Is true that Grant received an edrI-
cation at West Point. but certainly moth
ing was developed there in him TO indicate
his fitness or ability 10 meet great re-
sponsibiities- He did well in the Mexican
war as did other lieutenants. But IN
1854 he resigned from the army because
he had to. He had yielded 10 the weak
ness OF taste for strong drink. and
rather than be court-martialed he left the
army.
He returned from Vancouver. on the
Pacific Coast. TO his family in ST. Louis
without money. without property. a dis
heartened man. He accepted from his
father-in-law loan Of seventy-five acres
or land, upon which he constructed n
house for his family. and there he carried
on farming operations His chief busi-
ness seemed 10 be that Of selling wood.
Of cutting and piling it in the back yards
OF Well-tO-do people OF St Louis"
Credit for Ending the War.
The speaker traced the further color
less career OF Grant up 10 the time OF
the outbreak Of the war. OF his services
in the war, the Secretary had this 10 say:
From the time he took command until
the surrender at Appomattox. his life
was one continual. well-directed, we'll
Planned effort to suppress the rebellion.
From that time on his constant quest was
10 md the enemy and fight him. 1t was
Grant who finally subdued the rebellion"
Secretary Taft closed with a glowing
eulogy OF Grants capacity as a com
mander and his qualities as one OF the
most persOnable Of men.