Fellow-Citizens: We have assembled to-night to honor the memory
of a good and useful man; to express our sincere regrets that
death has closed a high career in the meridian of its splendor;
to voice our sympathy with the grief which this public loss has
carried to every part of our State.
This is an occasion without precedent in the history of Macon.
Never before have its people given such tribute to the memory of
a private citizen. But when has such a private citizen lived,
when has such a one died in Georgia? In speaking of my dear,
dead friend I trust I do not pass the bounds of exact and proper
statement when I say that there was not within the limits of
these United States any man unburdened by office, unadorned by
the insignia of triumphs in the fields of war, or the arena of
politics, whose death would have been so generally deplored as
is that of Henry W. Grady. It will be our privilege and pleasure
to hear testimony of his genius and his virtues from the
representatives of five organizations; the Press, the Chamber of
Commerce of Macon, the resident alumni of the State University,
the City Government, and the Chi Phi Fraternity. Each of these
has good reason to honor the memory of Henry Grady. The press
can fashion no eulogy richer than his desert, for his was the
most illustrious pen that has flashed in Southern journalism
during this generation. The Chamber of Commerce cannot accord
him too much praise, for, though himself unskilled in the
science of trade, he was the chief promoter of public enterprise
in his city and set an example worthy the emulation of any man
whose ambition looks to the promotion of commercial and
industrial progress. Surely the Alumni of the State University
should honor him, for he was the most famous man who has left
the classic halls of Athens in many a year. It is well that the
City Government joins in this general tribute to the lamented
dead. He led his own city to high ideals and to large
achievements. He preached the gospel of liberality as well as
the creed of progress. While his devotion to his own city was
supreme, from his lips there fell no word of scorn or malice for
any other community. Let us emulate the catholicity of his
patriotism. Atlanta was its central force and fire, but it
extended to all Georgia, to all these States and, passing beyond
the boundaries of his own county, was transformed into a love
for all mankind. The Chi Phi Fraternity had much cause to love
Henry Grady. Only those of us who know the full meaning of the
mystic bonds of that brotherhood can appreciate the ardor and
enthusiasm of his devotion to it. There was that in him which
was nobler and worthier of commemoration than even his radiant
genius. Powerful as he was with the pen, persuasive as he was in
his masterful control of the witchery of eloquence, fascinating
as was his personality, he had a still better claim to honor
than could be founded on these distinctions. After all, the best
fame is that which, though not sought, is won by goodness,
charity, and brotherly love. Leigh Hunt’s Abou Ben Adhem is
lovelier than the mightiest of the Moorish Kings. Henry Grady
concerned himself to do good unto others. He kindled the fire on
cold hearth stones, he cared for the sick and the forsaken, he
visited the prisoner, he carried consolation to the desolate.
His works of mercy, tenderness, and love do live after him, and
they are the crowning beauty of his work in this world. The tear
of gratitude that trickles down the cheek of the orphan is a
purer jewel than ever sparkled in the crown of political fame.
The simple thanks of the friendless and oppressed make sweeter
music to the soul than the applause of senates. These priceless
rewards were showered upon him in recognition of many an untold
deed of charity and grace. His life has been concluded when,
according to human wisdom, it seemed most desirable that he
should linger among the walks of men. Silence has set its seal
on his eloquent lips when their words seemed sweetest. His
great, tender heart has been hushed forever, when from the life
it quickened there were going forth influences of large and
increasing beneficence.
* * * * *
Capt. J. L. HARDEMAN was then introduced, and he read the following
resolutions framed by the committee from the meeting of the various
bodies held last Tuesday: