[CHAPTER XXXI.]
IN MEMORIAM.
New York's Official Tribute—The Consolidated Stock Exchange—The Union League Club—the Republican County Committee—The Grand Army of the Republic—The Chamber of Commerce—Speech by the Hon. Carl Schurz—The Ohio Society—Brief Words from Many Friends.
The official tribute of respect paid by New York City to General Sherman was expressed by the Mayor in this message:
"The Honorable the Board of Aldermen:
"It is with great sorrow that I officially announce to you the death of General William T. Sherman, the great soldier, the distinguished patriot, and our most beloved citizen. On his retirement from the Army of the United States he came to live with us. Foremost in public spirit and always ready to aid in charitable and civic enterprises, his loss, while a calamity to the United States, is greatest to the people of the city of his home. His services as chairman of the Johnstown Relief Committee and as member of the World's Fair Committee and other public bodies showed his value in civic life no less than in war.
"Out of respect to his memory and as a token of the love and esteem in which he is held by all the citizens of this metropolis, as well as of the country, I recommend that the public offices be closed on Thursday next—the day of his obsequies—that all citizens be requested to close their places of business from 1 to 5 o'clock on the afternoon of that day, and that the flags be displayed at half-mast on public and private buildings until Saturday next, and that your honorable body take such further action as you may deem proper.
"Hugh J. Grant, Mayor."
Appropriate resolutions were adopted by the Board of Aldermen, and the city offices were closed on the day of the funeral.
The Consolidated Stock Exchange voted this memorandum:—
"The death of General William Tecumseh Sherman has taken from us a man dearly beloved by all citizens; one whose strong patriotism, unswerving loyalty and eminent services to his country have given him a high place in the roll of illustrious Americans.
"As a soldier his record is among the highest in the world, and will live always in the history of his country. As a citizen he was a type worthy of emulation. Duty and patriotism were the watchwords of his life. Without unworthy personal ambitions or desires he was always self-sacrificing, and his blameless character, his genial and kindly disposition have made him dearly beloved by his countless friends throughout the country.