Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-06-12

period. when General Grant stood
firmly and determinedly. for the
promises he had given to General
Robert T.. Lee aud to the South, as
he did also throughout his own two
administrations. as President OF the
United States. even up TO the last
hours OF his existence. This is evident
In message written by General
Grant during his last illness, after
the loss OF his voice, to one OF the
physicians attending him, short
time before his death. of which mes
sage. will read few lines:
MY father wrote: 1 am thankful
for the proyiden,ial extension OF my
time. because IL has enabled me 10
see for myself the happy harmony
that has SO suddenly sprung up be-
tween those engaged few short
years ago, In deadly conflict. II has
been an inestimable blessing TO me.
to hear the kind expressions toward
me. In person. from all parts OF our
country, from people of all nationali-
ties. OF al, religions. and from Confed-
crate and National troops alike-they
have brought Joy 10 my heart II they
have not effected cure
Il venture TO read here today also.
on this touching occasion. another
message General Grant wrote. on
this subject. I'm finishing his Personal
Memoirs at Mount McGregor a few
days before his death. He wrote as
follows:
"'I feel that we are on the eve OF
new era. when there is to be great
harmony between the Federal and
Confederate | cannot stay to be n
living witness. to the correctness of
this prophecy. but feel II within me.
that il is to be SO The universally
kind feeling expressed for me at a
time, when II was supposed. that
each day would prove my last. seemed
to me. the beginning of the answer
to Let us have peace
81 am not egotlst enough. to sup
pose. all this significance should be
given. because was the object OF
il. But the war between the States
was bloody and very costly war.
One side or the other. had to yield
principles. they deemed dearer than
life. before ii could be brought to an
end. I command the whole of the
mighty host. engaged on the Veto
rious side was. no matter whether
deservedly so or not, representative
Of that side. OF the controversy. II
is significant and gratifying fact.
that Confederates have joined hearth
ly in this spontaneous move. | hope
this good feeling inaugurated, may
continue to the end
Endorsed by General Lee.
In these statements expressed by
my own father. no one rejoiced more
heartily and Loyalty than General
Stephen Dill Lee. whose memory we
honor here today. |. the son OF Gen
eral y. s. Grant. whose lifes labors+
was for the happy union and peace
of our beloved country. rejoice CRATE
fully in having the honor as the rep
resentative OF the National Govern
ment and the Secretary OF War. OF
accepting from yoL, the United Con-
federate Veterans. this beautiful mon
ument. tribute to the memory OF
the distinguished soldier. educator.
writer and philanthropist. General
Stephen ID. Lee, here at Vickspurg.
Here brothers fought for their
principles. Here heroes died for their
country. And a united people will for
ever cherish the precious legacy OF
their noble manhood.
Il assure you gentlemen OF the
United Veterans that your gift, this
monument. will be preserved always
with tender and solicitious care, b.
the Commissioners of the vicksburg
National Military Park, who will be
supported in the charge by all the
patriotic people of the United States
of America" o.