all you have done for your country, but when we of the West forget that it was the "Hero of Vicksburg" who opened to us the navigation of the "Great Farther of Waters," so that our commerce can run "unvexed to the sea," may our right arms fall from their shoulder blades.

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"Permit me to say here, General, that as you were the first general officer from our city entrusted with important commands, and engaged in active military operations, your loyal fellow-citizens watched your career with unflagging interest, and followed your fortunes with a faith that never faltered. When calumny and detraction swept over you, your friends and neighbors breasted the wave, and your laurels were never withered by any of the soldiers of Jo Daivess who followed your victorious banners. And when you poured your leaden hail into the rebels, it is no wonder they thought you hailed from the "Galena Lead Mines," where the people sell that product in time of peace, but give it away in time of war. "We welcome you not only to your Galena home but to your own noble and gallant State, which has made a record during the war which makes the hearts of all her loyal sons swell with pride. The blood of her soldiers moistens every battle field of the Republic. It is in our State where repose the ashes of Lincoln and Douglas. Lincoln, the martyred President, struck down by the assassin hand of slavery, and who illustrated in his life the purest patriotism, the sublimest courage, and the most elevated devotion to the cause of his country and of liberty. Douglas, the illustrious Senator, the gifted statesman, the champion of popular rights, falling, alas, too soon, but with love of country in his heart, and words of patriotism on his lips.

"The empire of the Northwest, with its teeming millions of patriotic hearts, is everywhere vocal with your cordial reception, and in the name of our regenerated and disenthralled country, in the name of our restored Union, in the sacred name of Liberty, all, bid you welcome.""

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"Amid a tempest of shouts, General Grant simply said: "Gentlemen and Fellow Citizens :-Rev. Mr. Vincent, who has come out on the train from Chicago, has kindly consented to return my thanks for this hearty welcome, which you have given me.'

"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 magnificent style, followed by the band with the 'Star-Spangled Banner,’ when the Glee Club sang the Soldiers' Chorus,' and 'Victoria.'

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"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-each 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-RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS-THE GREAT FAIRS-LAST CHICAGO FAIR-GREETINGS OF SOLDIERS.

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

It is

nois during the war, for they were in great part so unostentatious 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 opinion 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

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