In Memoriam

Saturday, August 8, 1885, was a day that will long be remembered by tbe citizens of Aun Arbor, for a more generous display of sympathy was never manifeeted on the part of our people. It deinonstrated that the memory of Gen. Grant will be warmly cherished in the hearts of this oommunity. Places of business, with scaroely an exoeption, were olosed between the hours of 1 and 4 o'olock p. m., and many of them tastefully draped. At 2 o'olock the bells comraenced their solmn tolling, and shortly thereafter Company A, state troops, Welch Post G. A. B., the St. George society, and the flre department, formed on Huron street, and, preceded by the city band playing apropriate music, marched to the M. E. ohurch, whioh was beautifully and propnately decorated for the occasion. The edifice was soon filled to overflowing, and, after the rendeiing of a hymn by the choir a portion of the scriptures were read by R. H. Steele, and a prayer offered Bev. S. H. Adams (in the absence of Bev. B. B. Pope). Then an anthem was given by the choir, after which Hon. Thos. M Cooley, as the presiding officer, dehvered the introductorv remarks. Bev. Wm. H. Byder, who had been a soldier in the army, and rose lo the rank of captain, addressed the meeting, in a speech which we woüld very much like to publish, and which the lack of space alone prevenís us from doing. His I marks were timely and well chosen, and were listened to attentively by the vast ; audience. Col. Dean was next announced, and the fact that he is commander of Welch Post, and had served under Gen. Grant during the war, made his words doubly mteresting. The Colonel was visibly affected during his speech and his closing sentences were delivered in a voice husky with emotion. Following is his address ii f uil: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen - Comradex : I am painfully conscious of my inabili ty to say anything worthy of this occasion. There are now living not lesa than 250,000 men -who served under the eye of U. S. Grant, who saw him in sunshine and storm- on the march, in battle, and after victory had been won. In the hearts of these are enduring and precious memories of their commander and friend. Who shall attempt to recount the record of a life which forms so large a cLapter of the nation's history? and whose f ame is world-wide? QI know, my comrades, that many of you here present see him in memory at this moment, as we of ten saw him in life: modest and strong, like a tower of solid rock, nis face lightert by an eye wich was as cold as steel to his enemies, but bright and sparkhng to his friends. ng in manner, vet every lineament of his features assured you of inflexible firmness and strength. If thus you see his form and features even more vividly, do you remember the qualities of his mind? The fame of Gen. Orant as a soldier is linked forever with the uistory of our naticn. Aye! it will stand recorded in the world's history as long as it has one . U.S. Grant entered the Ü.8.A. as a Lieutenant in 1845; was a Captain in 1853; a Colonel m 1861; a Brigadier-General the same year; a Major-General in 1863; Lieutenant-General in 1864, and Oeneral in 1865. What he achieved I caunot illustrate better than by repeating the names: Belmont, Fort Henry Fort Donalson, Shiloh. Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Oold Harbor, Petersburgh, Hatcher's Eun. Five Forks. Riohmond nnd Annnmsftov He commanded hïs first regiineut in 1861, and 1865 as commander-in chief of all the armies of the United States he mustered out the Southern Oonfederacy. His modesty was as great as his courage. He could unflinchingly bear the shock and crasli of battle; but he shrank from the applause of an audience. His character was as grand and as simple as a lofty chiseled granite column. Every step of his career as a soldier was marked by loyal and unhesitating obedience to law. The obedience he rendered he rigidly required of those under his oommand. His influence over this troops grew steadily. He won his ascendancy over them neither by artífice, nor any special act of daring, but he gradually filled them with his own indomitable spirit, until their conflence in üim knew no bounds. The language applied to Wellington might almost be mistaken for a description of Gen. Grant. " He held his army in hand, keeping it with unmitigated labor, always in a fit condition to march or fight. Sometimes he was indebted to fortune, sometimes to his native genius, always to his untiring industry for he was emphatically a painstaking man." Lord Brougham's address to the iron Duke is applicable to him: "Mighty unpiuiu: wuu uever aavancea except to cover his arms with glory. Mightier captain! who never retreated except to eclipse the glory of his advance." One charaeteristio of General Grant stam ped him a great man: He never returned in jury for in jury. Notwithstanding the numberless opportunities which he had to meet out punishment to those who had wantonly assailed him he never did it. His generosity to enemies was as great as his abihty and courage to light them. To-day, those whom he conqnered mourn with us at his grave. By eenerosity to vanquished foes in their flnal hour of defeat he well-nigh changed them from enemies to fnends. Bul death has taken from us a great citizen, our greatest soldier and our most illustrious comrade, and given us a hero, who in history shall stand beside those who were not bom to die. In life Gen. Grant whs the target for detraction, villitication and calumny. lts measure was equalled only by the greatness of his eharacter and achievements. God, in his mercy, spared him, until a better knowledge of his motives and deeds conquered all opponents arrayed against him, thus giving comfort to the patiënt, paiu-stricken suflerer m the last hours of his life. Now that Gen. Grant in dail ta nli ni;,-n,.( he was a man who will compare favorably with the great men of any age or nation. It will add to our pride in him when we remember how entirely he was one of US. He was of Americau lineage and belonged to the plain common peopie. He was the product of our own beloved country and its institutions, unaided by any foreign civilization or training. The mighty deeds he wrought in life were to the end that the country he loved ad served so well might have peace. In death his power hath not departed. Around his inanimate form ihose who met in mortal stnfe mingle their tears, and the white-wmged angel of peace hoverso'er them. He has gone to his rest, but bis noble deeds and great achievements are a nations rich heritage. I They will be cherished in the hearts of a greatful people, wüo to-day bow in sorrow over his bier, and pay loving tribute their honored dead. " He sleeps his la t sleep, He has fougnt his last battle, ïo souud can awake him to glory again." Kev. S. Haskell pronounced the benediction, and an appropriate selection by the band closed the services.