Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-09-13
The Presidents Trip.

Gen. Benz F. Butler made short address to the
soldiers, after which he introduced President
Hayes, as follows IL have the honor to pre-.
sent to you the President of the United States,
a distinguished citizen of this city, now ct the
head Of the greatest and most powerful govern
ment 10 the world, who leaves his high duty TO
come here and show his regard for his old com
radcs, some of whom he recognizes, and Tor all
of whom he feels tho love of one soldier for 40
other, Fellow soldiers-the President Of the
United States"
The President replied as follows
Comrades and Fellow citizsns-This greeting,
know, is not a personal compliment Ihls
large assemblage of the disabled veterans of
the volunteer army Of the Union, and OF cltl-
zens who sympathize with them, manifest by
this welcome their respect tor the office which
for the time being has devolved upon NE, and
their patriotic attachment to the Government
of the United States. These brave men fought
and suffered to restore the Union Of the fathers
and to make perpetual the edfioe of consitu
tional liberty which the fathers built. Their
services and sacrifices will always be remember
ed with affection and gratitude. and good men
and women will pray that the Supreme Ruler
of the universe will forever have them, one and
all 10 bis special care and keeping :
Speeches were also made by Secretary OF
War McCrary, Chief Justice Waite, and Judge
Bond, of Baltimore, after which the audience
was dismissed for dinner.
At half past two o'clock from the platform
where the unwilling ceremonies took place oc.
Cured one Of the grandcst scenes ever witness
ed by those present. At least 10000 people
were crowded into the space OF city square,
among them 1000 ladies, while on surrounding
slopes and knolls for Two squares distant were
seen half as many more. -Four military com
panies escorted the President and party to The
stand.
After prayer a chorus of two hundred voices
sang Freedom Anthem" by Beethoven, &C
companed by home band.
At 3 o'clock President Hayes was presented
to the immense concoursc, and received with
great cheers. lie was given the cord to pull
the canvass from the statue, but unfortunately
it broke, and laughter and expressions OF regret
followed.
Judge Bond, Of the Circuit Court Of the u.
s.. from Baltimore, remarked :-"Mr. Presl
dent, that is the first failure Of the Admins
tration," to which no one said nay.
The President remained standing some min
utes while o ladder was procured, and tho I'm.
yelling was completed amid cheers.
Mr.. l.. B. Gunckel, Local Manager OF the
Soldiers Home, made q statement OF the way
10 which the monument had teen designed,
completed and paid for. 1t was mainly the re-
suit of the efforts of the officers and veteran SOL
diers of the Home, and designed to perpeuate
the memory OF valorous deeds OF common sci
diers and bear down TO future ages the story Of
this wonderful institution. 1t is not only paid
for, but there is surplus Of 81, 1922 in the
treasury with which to ornament the surround.
ings.
General j. d. Cox, of Toledo, then deliver,
ed an interesting and eloquent Grafton. lie
said hopes had been entertained Of meeting
here representatives from the other side 10 the
late war. Although they were aot here, 1t was
believed an era OF national brotherhood was
again dawniDg On US. He said many good and
true things about the soldiers in tho ranks, as
compared with tho officers, that were warmly
applauded.
The formal ceremonies having closed, calls
we're made for Gen. Butler, who said -
Ladies and gcntlemen-l am not willing to
mar the beautiful exercises of this occasion by
ANYTHING that can say to you. Every motion
Of my heart, every thought OF my mind every
pulsation of my intellect goes out on this occa
sion to the grand statue which records the no
best, the best, the bravcst of mandkl0d-the
private soldier OF the volunteer army OF the Re
public. Cheers 1t was we'll enough for men
bearing the eraulettes and Insignia OF rank,
with knowledge that to them should be q
place in history if they did we'll in the perform
ance OF their duty, with the grand incentive OF
enroog their names 10 history among the pa
triots who deserve we'll of their country, and to
whom the country as the ages roll on will point
to their children and their ohiIdrcn's children
of future generations but to the private soldier,
for whom there was to be no such Dame 90 such
history, who LETT the pillow, the country, the
college and the other seats Of learning that be
might do his duty. Where was the Incentive ?
Look back to 1861; when the cry came up from
Sumter that the flag Of the Union had been
fred on, and when the word went over the land
calling every true son Of America to do his duty,
what was there except love of country, the love
Of liberty, devotion to duty, bravery and purity
of motive to lead the private soldier 10 his
ranks to offer his breast to the bullets of the
foe. Applause. To him individually there
was no monument to him-most probably there
was but little grave. Ofthose who trod the
whole Southern country through Georgia, len
nessce aud Kentucky, aud along the line 10
Vcksburg, thence through Louisiana to Mo.
bile and through the Carolinas to the sea until
hecatombs lay slaughtered Oh the banks OF the
Potomac, to them no individual monument shall
be raised but to themas representatives oil their
country all honor, all glory, all praise that
Heaven shall give to mortal man belongs to
them and TO them only.
AS the General retired there went up gen
cral and lively call for another view OF Presl'
dent Hayes, and be was prevailed on to step
forward. lie said
MY friends,S few unprecedented sentences,
little plain, soldier talk is all that you will ex
poet. This moment reminds me, and as
mention it will remind very many 10 this great
audience, of the first soldiers monument, that
We erected in 1861. You all remember what
then were all who took part in these first bat.
ties of the great conflict. You remember and
can never forget the feelings Of sadness with
which We saw the remains of our dead comrades
gathered up and placed in their last resting
place. They were gathered up, you know. by
the parties detailed to bury the dead, carefully,
teudery, and when the shallow
grave had been dug aud in their uniforms they