Omaha daily bee., 1909-06-12

might have looked upon the fields where
Grant and Pemberton contended for the
right OF way: so that the heroes sleeping
here might have heard the thunder Of its
guns, shotted with the words Of the noble
Fremont, The navy Is without sectional
prejudice and its patriotism knows no
boundaries save those Of our W great
country" But I am rejoiced to feel that
wherever Il sails II will carry with II
the effigy Of that gallant Mississippian,
who in life signalized all that is chlvslric
ppppof the south, to the end that, when its
officers entertain the v~aliants OF other
lands. from the North Sea, immortallzed
BY Paul Jones, to the sea Of China, I'M
mortslized by George Dewey-the Stars
and Stripes above them-they will need
Davis, the chief Of the confederacy, for
proof Of the rehabilitation of the sections
and perpetuity OF the unionl
one People, says watterson.
After the unveillng Of the statue, accom-
panied by a salute from the Warren Light
artillery and the singing Of the vicksbure
school children, Mr.. Watterson. as a pre-
Jude to the Introduction Of Lieutenant Cen
ersl Clement A. Evans, who presented it
in the name Of the confederate veterans,
and Major General Dent Grant, who ac-
cepted It on behalf Of the government and
the army, and the Hon. George R. Peck,
who delivered the grafton, said:
l have declared that we are one people.
NO air lines, nor wafer lines, nor iSOther-
NAL lines, separate US into geographic
fragments, all the good on this side, ell
the bad on that. The war ended nearly
fifty years ago. He who thinks there are
issues left outstanding from the days OF
secession and slavery must have been
dwelling in a rut of distorted %fancies. nor
have Travelled much beyond the shadow OF
his own roof-tree.
Mississippi and Massachusetts are con-
vertible terms. Given the same conditions
their people would be the same and would
| do the same. During the thirty wears I'M
mediately preceding the war Of sections
three at least OF Mississippl's most popu-
lar and celebrated public men came here
from the north; Robert J. Walker, born
and reared in Pennsylvania John A. Quit
man. born and reared in New York, and
the state Of Maine.
I am about to present you In succession
Lieutenant Clement Anselm Evans, com
n'nndcr-in-chief Of Confederate Veterans:
Major General Frederick Dent Grant Of
tho army Of the United States, and the
Hon. George Record Peck Of the great
northwest. holding my own commission at
large and from the District of Columbia,
where 7 was born. but claiming some times
10 be a Kentuckian No state or sectional
any OF us. Each of us breeds back to
good old Anglo-saxon and Scotch-Irish
stock. In the bygone DAYS the two most
kindred American types we're to be found
In Boston and Charleston: and, still there
are those who. enjoying the gracious hos
pitalitv OF the Algonquin club In the Yam
hPt city anu TIC Y AiiCl 'i'b III wv ~
OF the HuRuenots. cannot tell one from
'tother. particularly after 10 o'clock in the
evening.
Grant Speaks for Dickinson.
Major General Frederick Grant of the De-
partment of the Lakes, representing SEQ
rotary OF War Dickinson, who was unable
TO be present, received, in behalf Of the
national government. the statue of General
Stephen d. Lee from the United Confed-
crate Veterans today. General Grant re-
ferred to his acquaintance with General
Lee. which. he said, continued through
many years and afforded him the greatest
happiness and qualification. He reviewed
the career of General Lee, who died
leaving an untarnished record and a
memory deservedly honored with admira-
ton and respect, because of his noble life
and character. OF which his surviving son
and friends will be ever proud. and which,
all who follow him, may emulate"
Continuing, General Grant said; II, my
self, am especially grateful to have this
opportunity Of speaking In honor of Gen.
eral stephen Lees memory, as less thar
two years ago, he, my kind friend and
hospitable host, took me over these very
historic grounds at vioksburg. and we re-
| SoAACh 6NA NV ~AANAA "a AAN ADNeA 80
struggle which occurred here, in 1868, where
he and I had both been wounded, General
Lee serving during that struggle as a dis
tlnguished officer OF the confederate army.
and 1 being with my father, who COM
manded the forces Of the opposition union
army. We talked over the battles of the
past with no feelings Of bitterness, but
only with rejoicings. that peace had been
established and that harmony. patriotism
and loyalty to one flag now exist through
out our great land.
Quotes His Father.
"In the shadow Of this beautiful statue,
built to the memory of this knightly and
chivalric soldier, ] am glad to recall the
earnest wish cherished constantly by my
own dear father. General Ulysses S. Grant,
for peace and harmony among the Ameri-
can people. This wish was shown IT the
terms granted here at Vicksburg, and also
April .. 1865. when at ~Appomattox. upon
reading that the side arms, horses and
private property of his officers and en-
listed men could be retained by them, Gen
eral Robert e. Lee said to General Grant,
These terms will have indeed a most
happy effect upon my army and upon the
whole south
IT am glad to recall that this sentiment
for harmony between the north and the
south, begun at A~ppomattox. was cher
ished by General Grant until the end of his
life. as shown by him during the admins
tration of President Johnson and the re-
construction period, when General Grant
stood firmly and determinedly for the
promises he had given to General Robert
e. Lee and to the south, as he did, also
throughout his own two administration
as president OF the United States. even NJ
to the last hours of his existence. This Il
evident in a message written by Genera
Grant during his last illness, after th'
loss OF his voice, to one Of the physicians
attending him, a short time before hi
death. Of which message l will read 70,
a few lines:
MY father wrote: I am thankful 70
the providentlal extension Of my time, be
cause It has enabled me to see for my
self the happy harmony that has so sud
denly sprung up between those engaged
few short years ago In deadly conflict. !
has been an inestimable blessing to m
10 hear the kind expressions toward me 4
person from all parts OF our country. iron
people OF all nationalities, of all religion