Page:Address as the ABA president.pdf/9

 per centum [sic] of the pay and allowances of the rank upon which he was retired.

This is new legislation—hitherto unknown—to the rank and file of the army. It seems nevertheless eminently just and proper—alike beneficial to the service—not less than a wholesome incentive to personal military exertion.

One other brief act deserves commendation. It is full of sad memories to the entire country just now. It reads:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United StateStates [sic] of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, authorized, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint on the retired list of the Army of the United States, from among those who have been Generals commanding the armies of the United States, or Generals-in-Chief of said Army, one person, with the full rank and pay of such General, or General-in-Chief, as the case may be; and the total number now allowed by law to compose said retired list shall be, on such appointment, increased accordingly.

The act was passed on the 3d March last, amid the expiring hours of that Congress. It immediately received the approval of President Arthur; and upon the same day the illustrious man for whom and on whom the people of the Unites States, and Congress alike, had resolved to create and confer this great distinction, was commissioned as a General of the United States upon the retired list, with full rank and pay!

It was meet and becoming—very meet and very becoming—that a government whose unity he had saved in war, and whose public affairs he had subsequently administered in peace, should tender to him this tribute of the nation's gratitude, the nation's love, and the nation's thanks! But alas! how empty and unavailing! Upon the 23d July, almost within sight of the spot where we are assembled, all that was mortal of Ulysses S. Grant passed away amid the sorrow and tears of the Old World and the New. But this is not the time or place to speak at length of that dead hero. That will be done hereafter in all climes and in all tongues.