Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-09-07
THE PRESIDENT AT CHICAGO.
The Douglas Monument Cerrmonies-The
pPeSideut.x Address

reaC heu the hotel he appeared in the front bal
cony, AND the tumult was deafening. There
was some tears of a disturbance, but the Gro owd
nnally quieted down and listened to him.
while he returned THANKS in few brief
words.
Gentlemen appear here before Won sim.
ply TO tender you my heartfelt thanks for this
cordial welcome. i regard this demonstration
as an evidence Of the interest which You take
in the questions in which the country is inter-
ested, and in the Issues involved in them. /
LOOK on thr demonstration as All uprising and
outpouring of the popular heart. TCheers.l
L have tried TO perform my constitutional
duty 10 the people the United States. TCries,
lyon have done it''l 1t is on you I rely for
protection and support 1t is on the people
nave relied from my advent in public life 10
the present tune. (Applause.l ! thank God
mat IN the performance of my Official duties
ture, as in the past, you never shall be de-
ceived by me. [Applause.1 i trust 1 shall
nave another opportunity to address you. Sou
have the best wishes of my heart for YOUR
prosperity. The demonstrations you have
m ade will he treasured up IN my neart and
carried with me SO long remembrance oc-
cupies a place, and the blood in my veins
animaies my heart. l have no more To
say tonight i again thank you for the wei
come extended through your representative.
[Cbeers
General Grant and Admiral Farragut were
then presented, and the multitude expressed
the'r delight at seeing them in long and
shoufs. The party then retired for the night
CHICAGO, sept. 6.-The entry of the Presi-
dentlal party to the monument grounds was
the first impressive point IN the proceedings Of
laying the corner stone of rhe Douglas monu-
ment A band of music preceded the cortege,
a battalion of Knights Templar and the repre-
sentatiyes OF the Masonic fraternity following
Ihe latter assembled the stand and rested
around the base of the mon ument, where they
proposed TO perform the ancient rites At this
point, Just before the arrival of the President
the vas! crowd broke the ropes placed around
the reserved grounds and rushed to all parts
OF the field. Order was fully restored by the
exertions Of the Templars and the Ellsworth
Zouaves. A slight shower fell for a few no
ments, but was over soen enough to avoid any
marring of the scenes.
The President and party, with heads un-
covered, now entered the grounds The order
OF their progress oil foot was partiularly no.
uceable. Secretary Seward had the Presidents
arm; Secretary Welles and Postma aster General
Randall walked together; Gen. Grant accom-
At the approach of the procession the au-
dience, as If actuated by one simultaneous i'm
pulse, gave vent to one long and hearty huzza
ing, being at once an indication of enthusiasm
with the distinguished guests and an appreci-
alton Of the solemnity Of the occasion.
The hTst course of the proceedings was the
brief bnt appropriate address OF Mayor Rice
The Masonic Grand Master OF Illinois, J. r.
Gaven, appeared in front OF the stand and de-
liyered short touching and eloq uent address
in which he paid a glowing tribute 10 the mem
ory OF the departed and illustrious deceased,
both as a friend and as a Mason, and referred
to the fact that a statue will be placed on the
monument visible to the voyagers of this in
land sea as long as starlight and sunbeams love
10 dance on Its crested billows.
The Grand Chaplain then in nvoked divine
dressings upon the ceremonies, when the cer-
emohy OF laying the cornerstone took place
according TO the Masonic rituals.
After blessing with corn, wine ana oil, the
stone was lowered into place, amid the firing
OF guns and impressive dirges from the va
Tious bands of music.
TheGrand Master congratu lated those assem-
bled on the fact that there was present no less
parsonage than the President OF the United
States, with distinguished heads of the depart
ments, and who was, as he had heard and be-
neyed, member of the Masonic fraternity
THIS remark was applauded by the clapping
Prayer was then delivered by the Rev W.
"A. Milburn, of the Protestant Episcopal
Church. when the orator of the day Major
General Dix. addressed the assemblage: after
which, the President appeared al the front of
the platform and delivered the following brief
ADDRESS:
FslIo,c- citizens: i have travelled over eleven
hundred miles after having been invited to
attend the ceremonies of laying the corner
stone OF the monument 10 be erected. will
say, my friends, personally and politically
that In accepting the invitation TO be present
on this occasion, ii was for the purpose of
leaving the testimony OF my high regard for q
man W ho perished in the public service and
one whom respected ard loved. GCheersI 1
have no eulogy TO pronounce. That has been
done better than L could do il. and il will be
handed down and placed in the possession of
all VINO took any interest in the history and
character of the distinguished indi ividuai who
is now no more. IApplausel Some men NAV
wear the civic wreath which the nation weayes
tor those who serve their country in lofty posi-
lions, or their names may be engraved upon the
imperishable records of national glory Tins
column is reared to the memory Of the Ieeis-
laior and the representative man. A conscious
ness OF duty performed was his while living
and his reward will BE- the inscription Of his
name high on the cenotaph erected by a
grateful nation to commemorate the services
OF those who lived and ioiled for their peopIe
and the union Of the States. Immense ap.
plause.]
Fellow citizens, believe in my heart that il
we could communicate with the dead and
cause them 10 know what was transpirine on
earth, were IL possible for Stephen A. Douglas
rise from his grave, shake of the habilrments
OF the tomb, and proclaim: ssThe Constitution
and the Union-they must be preserved"
SPEECH OF SECRETARY SEWARD.
Secretary Seward then came forward in re-
sponse to repeated calls and said: Like the
President, am not here TO make q speech: less
than on any other occasion could consent TO
speak without consideration, IL would be ads
respect TO the great dead TO offer q hurried and
needless tribute to the greatness and fame of
Stephen A. Douglas. You have Just heard, as
the world knows, that Stephen A. Douglas
was concerned many wears in the great affairs
OF the nation at the Capital You are not ig-
norant that have been concerned in the same
way. For the last even years of his life was
an associate in the Senate Of Stephen A Doug
las. during he last six months OF that pc
in supporting the same great cause, and L
say that cause was the Union against the Re.
bellion. All the previous portions Of that
time we Were in party sense adversaries.
II lis amongst the proudest of my personal
recollections that, although we Were enemies
rs the world understands il, political men ar
rayed against each other by partisan combina-
mons Tor ten years, and were political friends
and associates only for SIX months. yet not
wlthstanding the widow and the children. the
kindred, the friends, and the party of Stephen
A. Douglas, paid nae the extraordinary compli-
ment OF asking me 10 be the orator on the occa.
sion for which We have assembled. 1t proved
this, namely, that Stephen A Douglas was a
great and generous mau. Had he not been, he
would not have gone through ten years Of op-
position TO me without leaving in my heart
pang or wound 1t proved that knew all the
while that he was patriot and that he thought
me one also.
When they, broken down with grief for his
loss, struck down as he was on the ramparts
OF his country q defense came TO me and begged
TO commit to me the care OF his great name and
memory, i was unable to accept the precious
trust i am glad now that declined, because
rejoice that the task OF his eulogist has been
performed by one who, throughout his w hole
g. ....-E Aw,.- 49,.