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TRIBUTE TO GRANT
By Hoc. Clark Howell at a Ban
quet In New York City.
“GEN. GRANT AS PEACE FACTOR”
Occasion Was Annual Birthday
Dinner of Grant Memorial
Association.
The Grant Monument Association
of New York, which built the impos
ing million-dollar mausoleum to Gen
eral Grant at Riverside Tar'k, on the
banks of the Hudson, held its annual
birthday dinner in the banquet room
of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel Saturday
night, April 27th. About three hun
dred guests were present, and the af
fair was a brilliant one.
General Greenville M. Dodge, one
of the vice presidents of the associa
tion, presided as toast master. Iha
first speaker of the evening was Con
gressman C. B. Landis, of Indiana,
who responded to the toast “Grant.”
Mr. Landis was followed by Hon.
Ciark Howell, of Atlanta, Ga., editor
©f the Atlanta Constitution, on
“Grant’s Life as a Peace Lesson.”
Ex-United States Senator William
E. Chandler, of New Hampshire, spoke
on “National Hopfulness” and Gen
eral Joe Wheeler on the “Progress of
Our National Domain During the
Last Third of a Century.”
The speech of Hon. Clark Howell
was a feature of the occasion. He
said:
"I am not unmindful. Mr. Chairman,
that In paying: tribute to the man In honor
of whose memory we are assembled here
tonight. I am environed by circumstances
that, under some conditions, would em
barrass the frank utterances of my own
sentiments and clothe my words with
import not their own.
“I come to speak with you of the lessons
learned from the life of a leader—and I
am of the people against whom his le
gions were led to victory and around
wh-om the withering: embrace of his iron
arm was closed in the grip of war. There
ts scarce a valley in the southern states
**iat does not shelter In its bruised bosom
reluctant monuments to the triumph of
that great soldier—General Grant.
"But 1 have not come to speak of the
accomplishments of war, which have
rightly placed his name among those of
the great warriors of the world. I am not
here to paint a picture of the mighty
tide that swept on andi on under his mas
terful direction until all who opposed
were overwhelmed in the culminating
flood' at Appomattox. It would ill become
me to exult in the memory of his trium
phant leadership of victorious hosts as
they returned to joyous homes under the
streaming: banners of victory'.
"It is natural and proper, Mr. Chair
man. that those who shared his sympa
thies and dangers, that those and the sons
of those who followed his famous lead
in well fought battles, should keep for
ever bright the luster of his military
fame, and should keep forever living the
memories and Incidents of his war re
nown.
"Those who offered their bullet-ridden
bodies as bulwarks in the vain effort to
•tem the conquering tide of his cohorts
bore testimony to his genius and his
courage. There is not today in the frag
mentary ranks of the beaten heroes
who once wore the gray a single soldier
who would raise his arm to still the
cheers those victories have won. But
above the din of successful arms, be
neath the garlands of glorious victories,
beyond the glad ..uzzas of a preserved
nation welcoming Its martial heroes
borne, the dirge of those homeless heroes
who. after surrender, buried their aban
doned hopes with a cause forever lost,
bids me turn from this phase of that
momentous life to another that is not
trumpeted by th raucous blast of war.
but which Is sounded In the sweet and
soothing songs of peace. There is no
one familiar with the history of our coun
try who la not aware of the mighty part
played by General Grant in the epoch
of the civtl war; but there are few even
among hie own -eople who realize the
Intense Influence his life exerted in the
epoch of peace There Is not a school
boy in Irnoe.-breeche* who cannot tell you
what General Grant did to prevent the
successful dissolution of the union; there
are few etatesmen who can tell you how
njnch he did to procure its peaceful
restoration.
“No service this great chieftain ever
rendered our common country in his
*nost brilliant military achievements can
equal the great good accomplished by
him in his consistent campaigns for -•-ae
tical peace. If there was genius in the
pen that sreote the terms of uncondi
tional surrender to the falling garrison
at Fort Donelson there was greater ge
nius still exemplified in the letter that
made possible the peace conference at
Hampton Roads. If there was grandeur
in the scorching sword that swept Vir
ginia as a sea of flame, yet grander still
the hand too generous to take the strick
ened sword of a great but vanquished
foe! If there was glory in the thunder
of the voice that threw the columns
of a mighty army into the shock of war.
far greater was the glory of the tongue
that framed the message, born of love,
crying to a dissevered people, 'Let ue
have peace!’
'ln the living reality of practical ne
un km and of perfect peace, no man can
Measure the mighty power that fra
,e rnal message wrought in shaping the
destiny of a country then emerging from
fhe chaos and confusion of a civil war.
If spoke the patriot spirit of American
union. Without it a union of states
■welded in the forge of war and held to
gether only bv the sword! An empty
mockery of union In all save name! A
tinion without sympathy of sentiment:
without unity of heart; without a com
mon Inspiration. The north a Russia
an d the south her Poland. England in
the northern heart, and Ireland in ours.
"To those who are familiar with the
People of the south and with the condi
tions leading to the four years’ war it
Is unnecessary to protest that the van
quished south could never have played
Oarthage to a conquering Rome. Her
People had breathed the Inspiration of in
dependence from the hills that cradled
Washington and Jefferson and Patrick
Henry. Jealous in the preservation of
what they believed constitutional and
hereditary rights, they were prodigal in
all that was required to maintain those
rights.
“These southern ancestors of mine had
much cf the spimt now better known as
northern enterprise and thrift. Finding
that the genial climate of the southern
slope was better suited to the successful
adaptation of negro s’every—an institu
tion inaugurated by their northern breth
t'aiv—they did not hesitate to adopt th#
traffic, r.or to utilize on southern planta
tions the slaves who had proved unprofit-
property in northern fields.
“Nor weie the statesmen of the south
less slow to profit bv the political ex
ample established bv their contemporaries
of the northern states. They witnessed
with observant eve the birth of the doc
trine of secession as It sprung from the
liens of New England and first claimed
life In Hartford, the Charleston of the
first accession. They listened with grave
attention when Quincy, of Massachusetts,
in the halls of congress fifty years prior
to the southern secession, made the first
formal declaration of the right of seces
sion in opposition to the admission of
Louisiana and west Florida as states,
that ‘if this J>1!1 passes, it is virtually a
dissolution of this union: it will free the
state® from their moral obligations and
as it will be the right of all. so it will be
the duty of some definitely to prepare, for
a secession—amicably, if they can. vio
lently, if they must.’
I mention these events. Mr. Chairman,
ir. no sp rit of pride that the south had no
corner on the secession market, and in no
spirit of regret for the failure of the prin
ciples once advocated by the round-heads
who were rocked In the ‘cradle of the
revolution.’ and which principles were
many years afterwards adopted by the
cavalier convention of Charleston. I cite
them merely as incidents that played
their part in shau ng the convictions of
the southern people concerning state
rights and the right of secession—issues
then offering ample room for honest dif
ference. but which have been settled for
•sui time to come dv tne covenant or tne
cannon, sealed bv the nation’s blood.
“It was the spirit of fraternity, em
bodied in the immortal message of Grant
that consecrated that covenant and
established its sacred arbitrament beyond
Jtrneal. It was this spirit that conquered
forever the doctrine of absolute state
rights; this spirit that conquered forever
the restless ghost of secession; this spirit
that converted the invincible followers of
I>ee and Stonewall Jackson into loyal
citizens of a reunited republic. Respon
sive to the spirit of that message and
stirred bv its generous impulse, they
sought the broad shelter of the flag they
once assailed, and Its sacred folds have
healed the bitter wounds of war.
“At Versailles, after Sedan, Germany
stood in the glittering paraphernalia of
an armored giant, with one hand on the
throat of Paris and the other pointing to
the hungry document demanding the
most prodigious indemnity exultant vic
tor ever exacted of prostrate victim.
"Not so at Appomattox! Instead of ex
aetior>t—liberality! Instead of Siberia—
again the tranquil fields of home; again
the music of familiar waters; again the
chirp of the cricket on the hearthstone
I and the melody of childrens’ prattle
i around the mother’s knee! Instead of St.
Helena—Washington! Not Washington as
the stronghold o< sn armed foe. few as
the common capital of a reunited ofcun
try. where victor and vanquished met on
equal terms of fellowship. Washington,
the capital from which, a few years
later, a federal major, as president of the
United States, wrote one day the order
making brigadier generals of the nephew
j of Robert E. Lee atul the son of Ulysses
j S. Grant!
"Inevitable Appomattox! Better that it
had come sooner, since it had to come;
but better for the greatness of our coun
try that coming late its bloody field of
battle was consecrated by the covenant
of the republic's peace!
| "It was singularly significant of the love
1 of peace inherent in the man that its
first public manifestation appeared when
the fortunes of war had almost crowned
his arms with the laurels of success. The
Hampton Roads conference afforded the
first formal expression of any effort to
harmonize the warring sections. For four
long years the best blood of both sections
had drenched the fair fields of the south
when that conference was called to put
an end to further fruitless sacrifice. The
unfortunate failure in the purpose of the
conference between President Lincoln, o t
the federal government, and Vice Presi
dent Alexander Stephens, of the confed
eracy, Is familiar history to all; but few'
know that to General Grant is due the
fact that the actual conference was made
.possible.
"The official records of the war have
but recently established the important
part played by General Grant In prevent
ing an untimely abandonment of negotia
tions and in paying the way for the ac
complishment of an official conference.
Seward had been sent to Fortress Monroe
early In February, 1865, to meet Stephens
and Hunter and Campbell, the confed
erate commissioners, under well-defined
limitations from President Lincoln to con
fine negotiations to what he termed ’the
three Indlspensables.’ Major Thomas T.
Eckert had preceded Seward on the asm*
mission and under similar restrictions.
"At the preliminary conference the con
federate commissioners requested a con
ference with President Lincoln at Wash
ington, and Major Eckert replied that the
conference could not proceed except un
der the terms outlined in his Instruction.
The confederate commissioners, unwilling
to negotiate for peace under prescribed
limitations, declined to proceed with the
conference.
"President Lincoln in submitting the
correspondence to congress said that at
this stage:
"‘I was about to recall Reward and
Eckert, when the following telegram from
General Grant to the secretary of war
was shown me.’
"The telegram read:
“’I am convinced upon conversation
with Messrs. Stephens and Hunter that
their intentions are good and their desire
sincere to restore peace and union. I
have not felt myself at liberty to express
even views of my own or to account for
my reticence. This has placed me in an
awkward position, which I would have
a-voided by not seeing them in the first
instance. I fear now their going back
without any expression from any one In
authority will have a bad influence. I am
sorry that Mr. Lincoln cannot have the
interview.’
“Of this President Lincoln eald to con
gn-ess:
" ‘The dispatch of General Grant
changed my purpose, and accordingly I
telegraphed him as follows: "Say to the
gentlemen I -will meet them personally
at Fortress Monroe as soon as I can get
there.’’ ’
"And he did get there, and at once, and
tne wnole story ot that conference in tne
rolling waters of Hampton Roads, within
hailing distance of the scene where iron
clads first met in battle in the encounter
of the Monitor and the Merrimac, affords
the most Interesting recital of o„ur un
written history.
“I have heard from Mr. Stephens’s own
lips how the southern commoner, a dwarf
ir. staiture. but a giant in intellect, upon
reaching the cabin of the boat stopped to
unwind the coverings which protected Ills
frail body ffom the bleak sea winds, and
hew. after gloves and comforters and
scarfs and greatcoats were removed, lie
was met by President Lincoln with the
characteristic greeting: "Well. Stephens,
that’s the littlest nubbin I ever saw from
such a quantity of shucks.’
"I have seen the half regretful pathos
in his wonderful eyes as he told how Lin
coln. animated by his strong love of
country, had said to thee commissioners:
‘Let me write the one word, "union." at
the head of our agreement and you may
supply the rest.’
"The conference wias fruitless of practi
cal results on account of arbitrary limita
tions of power in prescribing the condi
tions of peace. But Mr. Stephens be
lieved to the day of his death that had
the commission been clothed with plenary
power, peace would have been accom
plished on a basis of union, and of mu
tual concessions in other details of dif
ference.
"Perhaps so: perhaps not! Perhaps it
was best that the war should drag its
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drvei lt-ngtn along 10 its tragic culmina
tion. Pcsrhaps it was best that an issue
born almost with the republic itself, and
that had baptized its devotees in the blood
of brothers, should only find its fitting
death on the bloody battle field. But long
after the echoes of war have died away
ar.d the efforts of the conference are for
gotten. the world of peace w-11 do rever
ence to the memory of the great soldier
who. almost on the eve of final victory,
sheathed his dread sword and stretched
out his sword-arm with open hand to
strive fee peace! in the midst of the mad
lust of war. leaving for a time the leader
ship of exultant cohorts drunk with vic
tory. himself to gain all by prolonging
the conflict for pronounced conquest, ins
voice, attuned to the roar of battle, was
raised for peace.
"And so, Mr. Chairman, while the bet
| t’e-seairred bosoms of our southern val
j leys bear unwilling testimony to the deeds
! of this great soldier as he marched be
neath the flag of Mars, every hill that
trembled to the thunder of his guns gives
back the welcome echoes of hia greeting:
’Let us have peace.’
“The hearts of her people have caught
and held the inspiration of the clarion
call of fellowship and union. which,
growing in strength and volume as the
years go bv. is now the grand oean of a
nation’s peace.
"When the recent call to arms brought
volunteers to offer their lives in the com
mon cause of the union against Spain,
the patriotism of our people found quick
expression in the response they made to
the drum-beat of the republic, ami the
sons of federals and confederates alike
poured out their heart’s blood in the com
mon cause. Non© questioned the loyalty
and patriotism of his comrade in arms,
and northern boys and southern boys
marched shoulder to shoulder under the
Stars and Stripes to the mingled strains
of ‘Dixie’ and ’Yankee Doodle.’ Under the
trcpical sun of Cuibx and the Philippines,
they have borne between them th© sacred
ark of the nation’s covenant, brave and
true and patriots alike, moved by the
common impulse of their country’s love
and the eternal glory of its mission!
"The peace that General Grant com
manded has come at last, and it is an
abiding peace.
"It is the peace whose sacred benedic
tion cast the halo of its glory across the
continent, when from amid the solemn
forest sentinels of Mt. Gregor, the angel
of death gently touched the summons of
the Divine Commander. But it did not j
come until the music of a reunited na
tion’s voice, attuned to the melody of
sorrow, had fallen upon the eager ears of
the Strieker, hero.
"Picture him as he sat, wan and hag
gard. surrounded by silent nature, arrayed
in all the glories of summer splendor,
waiting—waiting the inevitable. The
wind* that had swept the historic battle
fields of the south were laden with mea- ;
sages of peace and sympathy from those ’
who but a few years before had been en- i
emies.
"What visions must have come to him
then! There, trooping up from the mists
of the valley came the blue legions which
had followed him across the Potomac; ;
and here, down the hillsides, like an ava
lanche, swept the grey. There was Sher
idan and Thomas, and Meade and Me- ;
Clellan, and yonder—Lee and Jackson, ;
and Gordon and Longstreet. The peal of i
musketry and the roar of cannon rever
berate In the valleys and the mountain !
brooks become torrents of blood. The
clash of arms and the fierce fire of the :
conflict shakes the world!
"But now the smoke of battle lifts, and
the scene changes! There are green val- |
leys and happy homes where peace and ]
contentment reigns. High above all floats ;
the stars and stripes—the emblem of a
united country—stronger now than ever, j
and more deeply rooted in the affections i
of her people.
“The peace he would have has come, !
and resting as quietly as a babe on its
mother’s breast, the listless eyes of a hero
in war and a patriot in peace are closed I
and his soul takes flight to the great j
hereafter to join the united band of other |
heroes of both sides as comrades in ever- I
lasting glory and eternal companionship.
“And when, a few days later, he was
lowered to his last rest by hands which
had been raised against him in war; when
veterans who wore the grey stood in tears
beside t..ose who wore the blue, it proved,
indeed, that past issues were but ghosts
of dreams and that—
‘Brave minds, howe’er at war, are secret \
friends;
Their generous discord with the battle
ends;
In peace they wonder whence dissension |
rose
And ask how souls so like could e’er be I
foes.’
“The peace of a prosperous people per
meates the land and lights all sections of
the nation in its holy glow. Mason and
Dixon’s line marks no more trace in the
geography of our common country than
does the equator mark the silvery sur
face of our southern seas.
“ ‘Let us have peace!' A happy and
contented people repeat the benediction
and cry back to the great heart that
now is still In the peace that passeth all
understanding, ’Thy peace is come!’ ’’
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111