Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1879 — GRANTS RECEPTION Of CHICAGO. [ARTICLE]

GRANTS RECEPTION Of CHICAGO.

Am Iwnm fisthertsg sf PMfi( The City of Chisago gave ex-PreoUent Grant, on the 12th, such a welcome as she had never before extended to any human being. In this she waa aided by an immense multitude from adjacent cities and from tha country for hundreds of miles around. The weather for several days before had not been propitious, and the streets were ankle-deep with the oleaginous semi-fluid which paasea for mud In that city. The arrival of the ex-Preaident was fixed for one o’clock p. m., and at noon the rain was falling In torrents. The shower was over a half hour later, and the sun shone brightly daring the remainder of the dhy. •To say that the streets of Chicago were crowded, or that a vast multitude were scattered along the sidewalks, or that every ooigna of ’vantage along the route the procession took waa covered with a mass of sight-fleers, or to use any of the nouns of multitude or terms expressive of aggregates, would give very Indefinite ideas of the immensity of the crowd or the intensity of the crush. Added to the home talent in the direction of sight-seeing were fully 50,000 people from abroad, so that 200,000 persous upon the streets, as was claimed by the Chicago newspapers on the morning of the 13th, does not seem to be an extravagant estimate of the numbers who welcomed the distinguished exP resident. The whole city was ablaze with oolor. Every structure, big and little, which boasted a flagstaff, displayed the National bunting, and the flags of all Nations, tri-colors, crosses, stars, stripes, squares, crowns, lions rampant and lions couchant, crescents, “sunbursts,” harps, shamrocks, roses and thistles flew, fluttered and gyrated from the front of most of the .buildings in the central portion of the city. At one o’clock, the booming of cannon on the lake shore announced the approach of the train bearing the guest. Then ail tho factory, tug and locomotive whistles in the city were opened and set up a universal yell, in which the people joined, and General Grant alighted from his train, and, escorted by Hon. Thomas Hoyne and Mayor Harrison, entered a carriage drawn by six horse*. Then the head or the column, led by a auuad of mounted police, and by tho First regiment of Illinois cavalry, supported by the Second regiment of infantry, moved, and General Grant moved with it. When Chicago wishes to do especial honor to a guest she gets up a procession. This time she outdid herself. There were soldiers and soldiers—infantry, cavalry, artillery, the Mexican veterans, the veterans of the last war, distinguished soldiers in carriages, members of the Society of the Armies or the Tennessee, Cumberland and Potomac, Governors of States, Judges of Courts, civil authorities,the Fire Department, mounted police. Park Commissioners, and an immense number of wagons, all gayly decorated, contributed by leading flrpis, who vigorously seized the opportunity to do honor to the guest and advertise their wares. The numbers in this procession cannot be stated, but it was a tremendous affair, being fully three hours In passing a given point. When the carriage containing tho ex-Presi-dent reached bis bead-quarters, the Palmer House, he dismounted, and took position on a platform in the rotunda where Mayor Harrison addressed him as follows: General Grant: Tho people of Chicago recognize in you the most renowned of America’s citizens. They watched you for the last thirty months, journeying uround the world; they have seen you the recipient of honors heretofore conferred only upon those of exalted rank; and yet, sir, you had no other passport than that you were an American citizen. Princes, rulers and their people delighted to honor yon; and lu honoring you they lavished honor upon your country. This people, sir, now that you are returning home, are desirous of tendering you a befitting reception. With this end they have appointed a committee of five hundred gentlemen to receive you here in tho heart of the city, and to welcome you to the homes and to the hearts of our people. Upon me, as Chairman of that committee, devolves the pleasing duty of clothing in words what their hearts would warmly express. Sir, for many long years you have been constantly before the eyes of this people. Eighteen years and two months ago, a neighboring State hud adopted the rola of neutrality in the dread internecine war then commenced. Our statesmen were deeply troubled, and knew not how to solve tho problem of that neutrality. You, sir, like the Macedonian conqueror, with your sword cut the GorJian knot, and the first-born daughter of the Constitution no longer wavered in her devotion to the Union, and- to tho Union’s Mag. Two month's after that we snw you writing vour name In blood at fiercelycontested 1 Belmont. Before the frosts of winter had thawed, you threw your regiments around Donclson. Its commander, feeling a death-grip upon him,uskedyour terms of capitulation. Your laconic reply: “Unconditional surrender! I propose Immediately to move upon your works,”enricbod the page of military literature, and fifteen thousand Confederate prisoners came here to Chicago living witnesses or your great victory. Ere the buds of spring hod burst out Into the summer's flowers, Pittsburgh Landing and Corinth were your* trophies, and the waters of the Cumberland and Tennessee Itivers flowed freely, bearing the stars and stripes through the Ohio and Mississippi to Memphis and below. But the mighty river refused to carry you to the gulf. Vicksburg, deemed impregnable, frowned upon Its turbulent waters, and demanded a toll of death. You resolved that Vicksburg should fall, and for you to resolve seemed, in the past, for you to 00. After months of strategic movement, a long march and many battles, yon laid your army in front of the Gibraltar of the South. But Vicksburg was vulnerable only from the iear. Desirous of saving your army, you endeavored to make a new channel for the mighty stream; but the Father of Waters despised your human efforts und rolled majestically on beneath the enemy's guns. Unable to bridle the monster, yon mounted his foaming back, and rode through a storm of fire nnd a hail of shot. Vicksburg fell, and Chicago shouted: “The backbone of the Confederacy is broken.” Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain nnd Missionary Ridge were then flowers in the chaplet encircling your brow. We then saw you at the Nation’s Capital commanding your country’s armies; but your own special duty was to reach Richmond, which had in the past seemed a noli me tnnaere to our armies. You chose the line of the Wilderness, and to the immortal Lincoln you declared that you would “fight it out on that line if it took you all summer,” thus giving evidence of the tenacity of your own will, rousing the wavering and lifting up tho down-liMuted. You did, sir, fight it out on that line, und Richmond was ours. We next saw you at Appomattox CourtHouse, receiving the swora of the bravo but mistaken Lee. You handed it back to him. “ Keep it,” said you, “ a braver man never wore a Bword." You bade him keep bis horses, for his folks would need them at the plow. You bade his arfnies return to their homes to rebuild up their broken hearth-stones and to re-establish their shattered fortunes. Sir, Chicago and the world then applauded the clement conqueror, as before they had admired the dauntless soldier. The bloody war over, you said, “ Let us have peace,” and a greatful Nation lifted you to the highest position in its gift—aye, the highest in the world. Eight years you were President. Then, wearied with sixteen years of servioe to your country, you sought rest and travel. Turning your eyes to the eastward, moving ever toward the cradle of the sun, you were greeted in all lands, and received every greeting in the name of your country. [Cheers.] Sir, you have served your country nohly. Your country has honored you grandly. Like the immortal Washington you rose from tho lowly walks of life, passed through all military grades, until you commanded the victorious armies of your country. Like him, you filled the office of President two loug terms. He, when his two terms were over, was offered a crown by his admiring friends, but preferring an immortality of renown to temporary power, he retired to private life and lives, and will live in the hearts of his people, and all time will call him his country’s father. You, too, air, when your two terms were over, obeying that part of your country’s Constitution in its unwritten traditions, hallowed by the example of the immortal Washington—you, too, retired,' and thus you, too, sir, live and will live forever In your countrymen’s hearts. Bir, in the name of Chicago and its people, I prophesy that when time shall have grown old, when the page of history shall have become dimmed, by the side of tho great quartet who had gone before you, your name, your statuo, will bo placed. By the side of Washington, of Jefferson, of Jackson, and of the immortal Lincoln, will Uve the name of Grant. . Sir, again allow me to tender you a hearty welcome to the homes, to the firesides and to the hearts of all the people of Chicago, regardless of creed or of party. Mayor Harrison's speech was greatly apS lauded. He then shook hands with General rant who responded as follows: Mr. Mator, and Gentlemen or the Committee or Reception or Chicago, and Gentlemen or Chicago anu or Illinois: I feel very mnch honored by the welcome which I am receiving at your hands to-day. I felt highly honored by the speech of welcome that has Just been uttered by your worthy Mayor. It is something so personal to myself that It would hardly be In good taste for me to respond to the language, and it leaves nothing further, therefore, for me to do than to repeat my thanks to this committee, and to the citizens of this dty, for the hearty reception which they have given me. • r ?K* r< l *° one allusion to my reception Jbroad, i will say that in every case I felt that it Pas a tribute to our own country. I will add farther, that our country stands differently abroad, in tho estimation of Europeans and the Eastern Nations, from what it dida quarter of a century ago. An American citizen is regarded now in a differeht light from the American citizen of one-quarter of a century ago. At that time It was believed that we hadn't fl Nation: that It was a mere oonfederp-

tkm at State*, tied together by a rope off sand that wwSd give way upon the slightest friction. They have found oat their grand mistake. They know that we have now a Qoyerment; that we are a Nation, and that we are a strong, inteUiffent and brave people, capable of Judging and knowing our rights, and determined on all ooastons to maintain them against either domestic or foreign foea. That Is the explanation of the reception* which you have received through me while I was abroad. Gentlemen, I thank you. [Cheers.] In the evening a reception Mhs given to the Society of tho Army of the Tennessee at Haveriy’s Theater. Among the distinguished personages upon the stage were Generals Grant. Sherman, Sheridan, Logan, Augur; Brigadier-Generals Schofield, Crook, Pope, Woodford, McFertey, Force, Henderson and Hardin, Rear Admiral Stevens, Governors Smith (Wisconsin), Gear (Iowa), Cullom (Illinois), ex-Govemore Beveridge and Oglesby (Illinois), Judge Drummond, Judge Gresham, Samuel Clemens (“ Mark Twain”) and Rev. H. W. Thomas. . Dr. Thomas offered a fervent prayer, after which Hon. K. B. Washburne delivered an address of welcome. Me. Washburne was followed by Governor Cuuom, who weioomed the soldiers on behalf of the State, and Mayor Harrison, who made the welcoming address on behalf of the city. To these addresses General .Sherman made a brief and somewhat humorous response. The annual address was then delivered by Judge W. A. Gresham, of Indianapolis. General Logan then presented, on behalf of the local Executive Committee,-a magnificent banner for the use of the Society of tne Army of the Tennessee, which General Sherman accepted in an appropriate speech. General Grant was called upon for a few remarks at this point, and responded as follows: Comrades or the Societt or m Army or the Tevheermb: After an absence of several years from the gatherings of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, it affords me heartfelt pleasure to again be with my earliest comrades in arms In the great conflict for Nationality and the Union of all the States under one free and always-to-be maintained Government. In my long absence from the country I have had the most favorable opportunity for seeing and comparing in my own mind, our institutions with those-*of all the European countries, and most of those of Asia, and oom paring our resources and developments and the capacity and energy of our people for upholding the Government and developing its resources with most of the civilized peoples of the world. Everywhere, from England to Japan, from Russia to Spain and Portugal, we are understood, our resources highly appreciated, and the skill and energy and the intelligence of our citizens recognized. My receptions have been your receptions. They have been eveiywhere kind, and an acknowledgment that the United States is a Nation—a strong, Independent and free Nation—composed of strong, brave and intelligent people, capable of judging of their rights, and ready to maintain them at all hazards. This is a non-partisan Association, but oomposed of men who are united in the determination that no foe, domestic or foreign, shall interpose between us and the maintenance of our grand, free and enlightened institutions and the unity of all the States. The area of our country, its fertility, the energy and resources of our people, with the sparsity of population compared to area, postpone the day for generations to come when our descendants will have to consider the question of how the soil is to support them, how the most can be produced to support human life without reference to taste or desire of the people, and when but few can exercise the privilege of the plain luxry of selecting the articles of food they will eat, the quality and quantity of clothing they will wear, but will remain the abundant homes of all who possess the energy and strength and make a good use of them, If we only remain true to ourselves. I Such a country Is one to be proud of. I am i proud of it. Proud that I am an American citizen. [Cheers.l Every citizen. North, South, East and West, enjoys a common heritage, and should feci an equal pride in It. I am glad the Society meetings keep up their interest so long after tho events which in a sense they commemorate have passed away. They do not serve to keep up sectional feeling and bitterness to our late foe, but they do keep up the feeling that we are a Nation, and that it must be preserved one and Indivisible. We feel kindly to those who fought on the opposite side from us. They equally claim with ourselves the blessings of our great and common country. We claim for them the right to travel all over this broad land, and to select where they please the right to settle, become citizens, and enjoy their political and religious convictions free from molestation or ostracism, either on account of them or their connection with the past. We ask nothing more for ourselves, ana would rejoice to see them become powerful rivals In the development of our great resources, in the acquisition of all thnt should be desirable in this life and in patriotism and love of country. [Cheers', After General Grant bad concluded, brief speeches were made by General Sheridan, General Pope, General Oglesby, Ooneral Schofield and “ Mark Twain,” after which the sea> siou ended.