CHAPTER XIX. OFF FOR EUROPE. On May 17th, 1877, ex-President U. S. Grant, his wife, and son Jesse, sailed from Philadelphia for Europe, via American Line steamer Indiana. His departure was made the occasion of a great parting demonstration, in which all classes of the community seemed to take a hearty and enthusiastic share. The courtesies extended to him in every city through which he had passed since his retirement from the Presidency were alike creditable to those who proffered, and to him who received them, and were the outburst of a people who recognized his great military and civil services. Before leaving the steamer that conveyed the General to the Indiana, a very interesting ceremony took place on board. In the ladies' cabin a private table was spread for the distinguished guests, among whom were General Grant, at the head of the table; General Sherman, on his right; Mayor Stokley, of Philadelphia, on his left; Honorable Hamilton Fish, Colonel Fred. Grant, Honorable Zach. Chandler, Honorable Simon Cameron, Honorable Don Cameron, and other prominent military and civil officers. After luncheon, Mayor Stokley arose and toasted the "honored guest of the day" in a few appropriate and eulogistic remarks. General Grant replied: "MR. MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN: I had not expected to make a speech to-day, and therefore can do nothing more than thank you, as I have had occasion to do so often within the past week. I have been only eight days in Philadelphia, and have been received with such unexpected kindness that it finds me with no words to thank you. What with driving in the park, and dinners afterward, and keeping it up until after midnight, and now to find myself still receiving your kind hospitality, I am afraid you have not left me stomach enough to cross the Atlan tic." This was followed by short and highly complimentary speeches from General Sherman, ex-Secretary Fish, exSecretary Chandler, ex-Secretary Robeson, ex-Senator Cameron, General Bailey, Governor Hartranft, and others; and so affected General Grant that he replied: "MY DEAR FRIENDS: I was not aware that we would have so much speech-making here, or that it would be necessary for me to say any more to you, but I feel that the compliments you have so showered upon me were not altogether deserved that they should not all be paid to me, either as a soldier or as a civil officer. As a General your praises do not all belong to me-as the executive of the nation they are not due to me. There is no man who can fill both or either of these positions without the help of good men. I selected my lieutenants when I was in both positions, and they were men, I believe, who could have filled my place often better than I did. I never flattered myself that I was entitled to the place you gave me. My lieutenants could have acted perhaps better than I, had the opportunity presented itself. Sherman could have taken my place, as a soldier or in a civil office, and so could Sheridan, and others I might name. I am sure if the country ever comes to this need again there will be men for the work. There will be men born for every emergency. Again I thank you, and again I bid you good-bye; and once again I say that, if I had failed, Sherman or Sheri. dan, or some of my other lieutenants, would have succeeded." Shortly after this the General was transferred to the Indiana, last good-byes were said, and the steamer proceeded on her way to England, arriving at Queenstown May 27, without mishap, the General and party having passed a delightful voyage, almost entirely free from the disagreeable effects of "seasickness", that renders an "ocean trip" so unpleasant. He was met by a delegation of prominent city officials, and tendered the hospitalities of Queenstown, with the assurance that every village and hamlet of Ireland had resounded with the praises of his name, and would welcome him with all the warmth and candor of the Irish people. He replied that he could not then avail himself of their hospitality, but would return to Ireland within a short time. Reaching Liverpool at half past two P. M., all the shipping in the Liverpool docks exhibited a profuse display of bunting, the flags of all nations waving along the seven miles of water front. An immense crowd was gathered on the docks to welcome the ex-President, and he landed amid cheers such as must have reminded him of the days directly after the war, when he was received by New York and other American cities. The Mayor of Liverpool read him an address of welcome, saluting him as an illustrious statesman and soldier, and when the ex-President modestly and in a few brief words acknowledged the honor done him, and expressed the very great pleasure he had from his reception, new cheers burst forth and a great crowd followed his carriage to the hotel. The judgment of strangers resembles somewhat the judgment of posterity. As he is regarded in European countries, so, doubtless, he will stand in history, when the bitterness and the littleness of partisan strife have passed |