Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1891 — CHICAGO HONORS GRANT. [ARTICLE]

CHICAGO HONORS GRANT.

Unveiling of a Fine Monument to Him in Lincoln Park. One Hundred Thousand People Witness the Imposing Ceremonies. -* ’ The masmificont equestrian statue of Gen. U. S. Grant, in Lincoln Park Chica-" go was unveiled on the 7th in tho presence of 100,000 people. The scene is vividly pictured Iu the daily press. A dispatch says; The enormous crowd, unnoticed though it appeared that one moment, formed nevertheless’an extraordinary pageant,including in its marvelous bulk and brilliant array not only high civil and military dignitaries of Nation, State and city, but those also gathered from far and near who were closest to the General’s personality, the wife who stood by him for years, and the veterans of his original regiment, the famous old Twenty-first Illinois Infantry, with the identical colors, unfurled at his _first headquarters’ tent. The orator of the day was worthy the occasion, distinguished like his subject in camp and council, the stalwart-looking soldier jurist Gen. 'Walter Q. Gresham. ' An impressive hush fell on tho thousand as General Gresham, facing the lake, stepped.forward to the edge of the temporary platform erected at the base of the monument. Atjhis. juncture the spectacle, in its magnitude and picturesqueness, was a reminder of some vast conception of Gustave Dore. On either side in tiers, up the green slope behind tho speaker*; distinguished guests to the number of 500 had been given place Among them Mrs. General Grant, her white hair showing beneath her widow’s bonnet, was the cynosure of thousands of eyes, Massed to the front of tho platform and to the im. mediate fight and left, in one immense solid square, leaving no vacant ' inch of driveway or were close upon twenty thousand uniformed men-glittering infantry, cavalry and artillery—both regular and militia, grizzled veterans of the Grand Army of tho Republic, bright plumed Knights of Pythias and seemingly countless similar organizations. Back of all these, separated on the one side by the narrow but mile long lagoon or regatta course there swarmed over the wide, far stretching stone beach and esplanade to the water edge a veritable locust cloud of the general public—old men and young, women and children, and every one intent on the proceedings as if their lives depended on the outcome. Beyond this living panorama could be seen in leviathan evolution through the choppy waves an imposing flotilla of nearly two hundred vessel. Three abreast was the order of the marine display, and a noble sight it was as the squadron made its way along almost within hailing distance, all decorated in regulation style. From the bow to stern up over tho mast tops there hung a line of fluttering flags. On the inside, next to the shore, tho tugs small yachts and little passenger steamers were rangedNext, the United States steamship Michigan in the lead, were tho other armed government craft—the trim looking Johnson from Milwaukee and tho beautifa Fessenden, of Detroit. Then came the sturdy Chicago fire boats, and to thejßeaward the great lake carriers, mammoth, pulling, black hulled diners and gracsfifl white schooners breasting forward like harbingers of peace. As they churned along the lake shore tho picture was causing a constant manifestation of enthusiasm among the spectators. Leading up to thissuperb culmination in Lincoln Paik, the day had been a memorblc one for Chicago. Three miles distant at Lake Front Park, on the. edge of the business district, the largo parade had formed along Michigan avenue, north and south from the Auditorium. Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, United States army,commanded the procession in person. Traffic was practically suspended by the whole city, but particularly in the wholesale quarter through which lay the beginning of the paradethe scene everywhere was one of martial snlendor. Up and down the uniformed lines, marshals and aids charged upon prancing steeds, giving and'*-receiving orders, hurrying in line companies, with arms flashing and trappings blazing, while the strains of music, the rattling of drums, thecoininandingcall of the bugle and the swaying of a thousand gorgeous flags and banners added to thtffenjoyment of an innumerable mob of spectators. Every available roof and window was crowded, and the sidewalks were simply impassable. General Miles from his charger, gave tho word and the shart) command rang along thd line “march!” Perhaps never in the history of the city has there been so gallant a display. First came General Miles, bls chief of staff, Gen. Stockton and his aides. Along the line of march inspector Sell lack had thrown a file of sturdy policemen, and they had all tliey*could do to beat back the pushing, eager crowd. The first division, composed of five hundred pollce. jnado a fine, appearance, but the second division, Gen. Charles Fitzsimmons leading, was the popular one with the crowd. Tho American soldier has never been conquered, and as ho tramped tho pavements to-day he did not seein conscious that ho ever would beT~The regiment of the Fifteenth United States infantry was in line In tho division, as was also the regular artillery and regular cavalry from Fort Sheridan and the Illinois National Guard, Infantry and cavalry. Tho third division, under the direction of Col. James A. Sexton, was altogether of veterans and was heartily cheered. It represented tho societies of tho Army of tire Tennessee, Army of the Cumberland and Army the PotomacGen. Ducat headed tho tourth division, carriages of distinguished guests, four abreast, conspicuous among whom were Secretary Noble, Gov. Buckley of Connecticut, Gov. Fifer of Illinois, Senator John Sherman, Henry Watterson. General Horace f’orter, Gen. E. S. Bragg. Mrs. Gen. John A. Logan and Gen. Daniel Butterfield. TheG. A. R„ with empty sleeves and tattered flags, marshaled by Geu. Horace Clark, cam* next, thirty-

four Chicago posts In line, with others from elsewhere in Illinois besides Wis-. cousin,Michigan and lowa commanderies Following in the sixth division under Col. William Hale Thompson, were the Sons of Veterans, and the Society of ex-Confed-cratcs. The latter were almost two hundred in number, marching in honoroftho great Union General. They wore gray soft hats, white neckties, a Southern flower In their button holos, and each carried a cane wrapped with the national colors, They were cheered ail along the line of march. The seventh and last division was made np of civic societies commanded by Col. M. D. Birge, the patriotic order Sons of America, junior order United American Mechanics, the order of Scottish Clans, the county Democracy the Orangemen, postoffice clerks and carriers, Uniformed Rank colored Knights of Pythias, society Nordsjirnan, the Danish veteran society, the Uniformed Rank Royal Arcanum, and other organizations Judge Walter Q. Gresham was the orator of the day.