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Show The Lincolu Sdttue Address hy tUo President. Springfield, Ills., 15. -At the conclusion con-clusion of the oration the choir sane, Reot, Spirit, Kest," and two Sisters of Charity seated on either aide of the statue, rose and removed the drapery of red, white and blue which covered it. The bands again played, and amid enthusiastic applause Preside!, t Grant stepped forward aud read the loDowing address: Mr. Chairman, Ladiea and Gent'e-men Gent'e-men On an occasion like the present, pres-ent, I feel it a duty ou my part to bear testimony to the great and good qualities of the great and patriotic man whose earthly remains now rest beneath this dedicated monument. It was not my fortune to make the personal acquaintance of Mr. Lincoln Lin-coln till the beginning of the last year of the great struggle for the national existence. During those years of doubting and despondency among tho many patriotic men of the country, Abraham Lincoln never for a moment doubted but that the final result would be in favor of peace, union and freedom to every race in this broad land. His faith in an all-wise Providence directing direct-ing our arms to this final result was the faith of the Christian that his Redeemer Re-deemer liveth. Amidst obloquy, personal per-sonal abuse and hate undisguised, which was given without restraint through the press and the stump and in private circles, ho remained the same staunch, unyielding servant of the people, never exhibiting a re-, vengeful feeling toward hia traducers, but rather pitying tbem and hoping lor ther own sake and the good name or their posterity that they might delist. de-list. For a single moment it did not occur to him that the man Lincoln ! was being assailed, but that a trea-sonablespirit trea-sonablespirit one willing to destroy the best government the sun ever shone on was giving vent to itself on bim as the chief executive of the nation na-tion only. His life was a pure and simple one, and bo doubt he would have been a much happier man; but wtio can tell what might have been the fate of the nation but for the pure, unselfish aud wise administration administra-tion of Abraham Lincoln. From March, 1604, to the day when the hand of an assassin opoued a grave for Mr. Lincoln, Ihtn President of the United States, my personal relations rela-tions with him were as close and intimate in-timate as the nature of our respective duties would permit. To know him personally was to love and respect nira for his great qualities of heart and head, and for bis patience and patriotism. With all his disappointments disappoint-ments from failures on the part of those tn whom he had entrusted command, com-mand, and treachery on the part of those who had gained his confidence but to betray it, I nevor heard him utter a complaint nor cast a censure fr bad conduct or bad faith. It was his nature to find an excuse for his I adversary. In his death the nation lost ber greatest and the South lost its most iust friend. Ex-vice President Colfax, who was discovered on the plallorm by the crowd, was loudly called for and finally spoke, and in very eloquent elo-quent and feeling remarks paid hia tribute of love and respect to the honored dead. Remarks were also made by Gen. Shermrn, vice-President vice-President Wilson and Gen. U V. Linden, after which the doxology was Bung, benediction pronounced, and the vast assemblage quietly dispersed. |