Evening star., 1935-07-28
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Ulysses S. Grant, twice President of
the United States, died at Mount Nc
n,e Gregor, N. Y, on
ouildl 1idce VI the morning of July
General Grant. %, 1885, after a
long, painful ILL
ness. Immediately arose the question
of proper place for his interment. The
Star of July "a says:
Laying aside all claims based on local
ambitions rather than any special fitness
for the desired distinction, the popular
voice of the country will undoubtedly
and unmistakably echo and confirm
the already largely expressed sentiment
that the natural and proper place for
General Grants final sepulchre is the
National Capital Just what precise
point within its limits or neighborhood
should be selected is of comparatively
little Importance; but that his tomb
should be in the place which stands in
all eyes as the visible symbol OF the
national union the center of national
interests and the measure of national
aspirations, would seem to be too plain
a proposition to admit of argument
The City of Washington represents
for which General Grants great services
were given. Its history and associations
are closely and inseparably connected
with the most conspicuous events In his
illustrious career. Here he lived as long
as he ever held a residence in any single
place. To his prowesS in the field it may
be said that it owes its very existence,
and to his administration of the presi-
Dental Office it is largely indebted for
its present prosperity and beauty. 1t
was one of the great captains regrets
that he did not carry out his original
intention of taking up his permanent
residence in Washington after returning
from his foreign tour, and so far as he
ever expressed any preference on the
subject, it was at least not unfavorable
to this city as his last resting place.
"It is therefore eminently fit that, while
his memory is honored and kept green
in the hearts of all the American people,
his mortal remains should repoSe at the
seat of government, laid out by the
immortal Washington himself, and hall
lowed by the blood of thousands of gal
liant men spilled in its defense in the
battles of two hard-fought wars. To
bury General Grant in any other place
would be in q measure to denationalize
his fame and to withdraw his name and
reputation from the public memory.
Take the case of General Scott, for ex-
ample-whose natural and appropriate
place of interment was the grounds of
the Soldiers Home, near this city. How
many persons can tell today where he
is buried? What opportunity is there
for the hosts who once looked upon him
as an idol to lay flower upon his grave?
mo. General Grants last resting place
should be neither in the mad hurly-burly
of a great commercial center nor shut
in by the seclusion of a military post.
The proper place for his monumental
mauSoIeum is the National Capital. If
no other reasons presented themselves,
it would be enough that the thousands
of people who annually come here could
thus at one pilgrimage draw fresh in
spirations of patriotism and renew pleas
ures of devotion to their country at two
such shrines as the tombs of Washing
ton and Grant"
On the day following this publication
it was announced that the interment
would be in Central Park, New York.