"Mr. Vincent, Pastor of Trinity Church, Chicago, who had been fairly pressed into the service by his former parishoner, came forward, and amid hearty cheers, said:

"I am glad to be made the medium for so noble a soul as General Grant's. To follow his example I must be brief, and will choose the words he wished me to use on this occasion. The General wishes to return his thanks to you and the citizens of Northern Illinois, for your welcome. During his career in the army he has felt a warm interest in you, and has looked back here with pleasure. In the darkest hours when calamity and destruction assailed the Government, he has always found the loyal citizens of Galena his unflinching and unchanging friends. He regards Illinois as the State where he retains the right to cast his vote, and Galena as his home. Business will require his residence in Washington, but he will make as frequent visits here as possible. The reason General Grant does not speak in public is because he has never been accustomed to do so, and now chooses to make this his excuse for not responding to the innumerable calls made upon him. He is reminded now of that other great gathering, when the first company left Galena for the war. Then dark clouds obscured the horizon which are now swept away. Then, the very life of the nation was threatened. To-day the nation stands on foundations never to be shaken.' With renewed expressions of thanks, Mr. Vincent concluded amid uproarious cheers.

"The Galena Glee Club then sang 'Auld Lang Syne' in a mag*nificent style, followed by the band with the 'Star-Spangled Banner,' when the Glee Club sang the Soldiers' Chorus,' and 'Victoria.'

"Other exercises, receptions, etc., followed, and with a brilliant illumination and display of fireworks, closed a memorable day in Galena.

"In conversation General Grant, without show or affectation, is quite fascinating. He utters in his crisp style an occasional gem. When talking with him concerning the battles of the Wilderness we received a new impression of the magnitude of the interests involved, and the plans of the great commander.

"He returns for brief stay to his home. Two men went from Illinois to fill large spaces in the world's observation-Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant. Each has returned—Lincoln to his grave,

Grant amid plaudits. Both were men of the people-cach was given of God to the nation, and the fame of each is imperishable. Said the General, I always confided in Mr. Lincoln's integrity, but when I went East and became acquainted with him, I admired the man, and his mental strength. That admiration increased until his death. Mr. Lincoln was a greater man than the people have yet come to regard him.""

The American Congress subsequently passed a bill, creating the full grade of GENERAL, and Lieutenant-General Grant was nominated to fill the position, and unanimously confirmed, Major-General W. T. Sherman being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General. This chapter has its place, not so much as a tribute to the General commanding our armies as a record of the enthusiastic gratitude of the people.

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE WOMEN OF ILLINOIS.

INFLUENCE ON PUBLIC OPINION-SOCIAL LIFE-INSTITUTIONS-RELIGIOUS VIEW-RELIE ASSOCIATIONS-THE GREAT FAIRS-LAST CHICAGO FAIR-GREETINGS OF SOLDIERS.

T is now impossible to narrate the services of the women of Illi

and silent that they were not made matter of record. In the beginning of the war they fostered the spirit of patriotism; their husbands, brothers and betrothed were not only given up but were encouraged to enter the service of their country. Of course such sacrifices were not made without effort and great sorrow.

They kept public opinion rightly influenced from social life. How much the life of home and the animus of what we call "society" influence great political movements is only appreciated by the close observer. It is the talk of home which makes the public opin. ion by which Senators, Cabinets and Presidents are swayed. Patriotic women made that influence auxiliary to the support of the nation in its struggle. It was there the patriotic song was invariably heard; the tone of conversation was unmistakably earnest and showed that whatever it might cost, the mothers of this nation demanded a country one and indissoluble; a country undivided, a flag with no stain of dishonor.

Woman's intuitions are proverbially keen and far-sighted. Men argued; politicians made sharp distinctions and spun elaborate theories. Our women saw at once that slavery was in the way of

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peace and must die, and they simply said we may not understand this matter, but it does seem to us that slavery must be overthrown, for it was always wrong, and now is chargeable with this cruel war." So they said quietly and so the nation came to believe.

When our army of brave citizens was shoveling and ditching at Yorktown and cutting canals before Vicksburg some Generals saw only the labor of common soldiers-women saw their fathers, husbands, sons and brothers doing menial labor, overtasked and dying of disease. Indignantly, sorrowfully, they asked "why must this be? Why not confiscate slaves of rebels; they are born to the climate and inured to its perils-why not take them from their rebel masters and let them save our son's lives?" And many an eye ordinarily gentle flashed fire as it was added: "We gave our boys to fight for the country, not to stand guard over the slaves of the rebels or to die in the trenches which colored men would gladly make if they were only permitted." Such words made public sentiment rapidly and compelled action.

Equally potent was woman's demand that colored soldiers should be brought into service, and do their part in the struggle. Many a woman said "I have two sons now in the army, if necessary I will send my third; but it is not necessary when the government refuses to permit the colored man to strike." And the colored man

became a soldier.

But in another direction her influence was patent beyond words. Ours was a citizen soldiery, accustomed to home and home comfort. American women could not consent that the army regulations should deal with their flesh and blood as mere hirelings. Hence organized industry for soldiers became the order. Associations for army relief sprang up everywhere. Not to engage in them was in many places to forfeit social position. Supplies for the sick and wounded; hospital comforts, delicacies for which taste would pine, but of which army regulations were ignorant. were accumulated in vast quantities and sent forward "to the front." Those great organizations, the Sanitary and Christian Commissions could not have moved a wheel or lasted a month but for this organized help of women. Women were instrumental in correcting many abuses in hospital arrangements. They visited them; inspected them and told what they saw. They

would not be put off; they would not be silenced. Red-tape officials pompously said "such are the regulations." "Then the regulations are wrong, must be corrected," and they went with their story to leading generals, and to the great-hearted LINCOLN and persisted until they were. It is strange how much difficulty the people experienced and overcame in being simply humane!

Our women took a religious view of the war from the outset, and relied much upon religious influences. Convictions of religious duty led them to the sacrifices which they cheerfully endured. It led them to the hospitals where the wounded were in need of their care, and with a tenderness which no man can imitate they discharged the laborious duties of hospital nurses-not as hirelings but unpaid. Kneeling beside many a cot they whispered in the ears of the dying the "words of life," sang them the holy songs of home and committed the parting spirit to the Redeemer's tender care! Their names are unwritten in our histories, but their witness is above, their record is on high.

Among the means devised to aid the soldiers was a series of National Fairs commencing in Chicago and extending throughout the country. The returns to the Sanitary Commission were enor

mous.

The second series closed with great fairs in Chicago and Milwaukee. The former was not confined to Illinois but was shared throughout the West; the different states were represented with departments, and it was one of the grandest exhibitions ever witnessed.

It was under the Presidency of T. B. Bryan, Esq., one of the most accomplished and liberal patriots of the Northwest. It is simple justice to state that while many gave it their hearty co-operation it owed more for its original plan, inauguration and successful completion to Madames Hoge and Livermore than any other persons. These ladies, acting for the Sanitary Commission, threw their souls into the work; wrote appeals for the press, sent forth circulars, went through the country, addressed public meetings, visited influential persons, and were, in short, irrepressible and irresistible. was first intended to hold the fair exclusively for the benefit of the Soldiers' Home, and to make of it a great institution, capable of receiving a large number of disabled soldiers, and giving them a

It