The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-11-20


edge and skill in support OF its authorit
and in obedience TO its laws. ia hai
chosen the military profession as the puT
suit Of his life, and had served for twenty
one yeats In its armies, receiving his re
ward in the honors and 0moluments 0
tts service. He had performed the dutie.
Of his successive ranks, at posts and sta
tions 10 which he had from time to timI
been assigned, without regard 10 thI
boundaries Of States. Hehad stood guard a
the outposts and picketed the frontiers O.
the vast area OF National domain, scarcely
less than the continent, and thought hi
was defending the homes OF his country,
men. He had followed the Aag OF the Na
ton into foreign territory and partici
pated in war that extended our National
border to the Pacific Ocean. He knew
that Il was the duty OF The army TO up.
hold the civil power Of the Government,
the President OF which was, by the Con.
stitution, It's Commander. in. Chief, and
that that instrument made no distinction
between foreign and domestic enemies.
He knew that Washington had employed
the National military force for the sup.
preston OF insurrection and the enforce.
ment ot the laws Of Congress. and that
Marshall lent no countenance to
q doctrine that would seduce him from
his military allegiance. His reason told
him where his duty lay; his
conscience bade him follow It. In
the uniform OF an officer OF the army
OF the United States he followed
its flag across the Potomac, at the head OF
its troops aud In obedience 10 its lawful
commands, upon the soil OF his native
State, sacred 10 him only as 1t was couse.
GATED TO the Constitution and the Union,
And II his conduct and career was in con.
trast with that OF other OF her sons, whom,
on that account, she has preferred to hon.
or. nevertheless 4 generation in Virginia
will yet arise who will learn and confess
the truth, that George II. Thomas, when
he lifted his sword 10 bar the pathway Of
her secession, loved her asWell as,these
and served her better.
This monument, .cOnsecrated to-day to
him whose fame we celebrate, is also sa.
cred to the memory oil that invisible host
without whom he was nothing-the unre-
corded dead, the untitled soldiers OF the
Union, the vanished and nameless Army
OF the Republic, who were not willing to
die, but'to be forgotten, so that the memo
rY OF the good their death should bring
might live after them. As long as the
love OF the country shall survive among
the generations OF this people, or liberty
make its home under the protection Of
national institutions. the example OF their
patriotic devotion will not die for lack OF
honorable remembrance or worthy imita-
ton. We stand with uncovered heads and
hearts laid bare, to-day, in the presence Of
an lnnumerable company Of these heroic
spirits witnesses sympathizing with us
IN these solemn and patriotic ceremonials,
honoring the memory OF our great soldier
aud patriot. The listening ear OF fancy
catches their choral song, as it floats and
dies away upon the air.
"Yea, let all good things await
Hin who cares not TO be great
but rs he ElVes or serves the StAtel"
The presentation oil the statue was
made as an offering from the Army Of
the Cumberland TO the Nation, and Pre-
sident Hayes accepted the offering on be-
The President said: In the name OF the
people Of the United States accept this
noble statue so worthy OF It's subject,
erected in honor OF Gen. George II. Tho
mas by his comrades Of the illustrious
army oi the Cumberland.
The exercises at the circle occupied two
hours. 1t was estimated that $4,000 peo-
pie were in the throng that surrounded
the inclosure.
Ageneral holiday was observed Throughout
the city, and the entire populace appeared
to be In the streets. The military features
OF the procession surpassed anything that
has been seen in this city since the grand
review at the closing otthe war. The pro-
cession on its way To the circle passed the
White House, where the President, Sec
retary Sherman, Secretary Evarts, Secre.
tary McCrary, Secretary Thompson, Sec.
retary Schurz and Postmaster General
Key occupied seats upon a platform erect.
ed for the occasion.
The band at the head OF the procession
played "Hail to the Chief" The Presi-
dent aud those on the stand acknowledged
the salute, as they did those OF the sue.
cessive bands and divisions. The Capitol,
Treasury Department and several other
buildings were illuminated with electric
lights this evening, while Pennsylvania
avenue was ahlaze with gas and densely
thronged with the people. Rockets and
bombs were sent up from the south front
Of the Treasury Department and from
various parts Of the city. The grand tent
erected on the grounds south OF the White
House was the main point Of attraction
for the members OF the Army OF the Cum.
berland, invited guests and citizens gen.
orally,
THE EVENING EXERCISES.
At eight o'clock, when the exercises be-
gan, about G. 900 persons we're packed with
in, while twice Us many more thronged
every approach. The tent was brilliantly
Illuminated with Cordons OF gas Jets sur
rounding the seven central poles which
support the canvass, and presented an ami
mated kaleideoscope Of glittering uniforms
and gorgeous toilets. The exercises were
begun with prayer by Rev. II, @. Nee Cauley,
OF All Souls Unitarian church, this city.
Judge Arthur Macarthur delivered an
address on behalf ol the city. After
music by the West Point band and Gen.
tury choir, General Auson G. McCook
delivered an Grafton.
At the conclusion OF Gen. McCooks
oration, Miss Annie Storey read with fine
effect an original poem by Edward, Rem
and, entitled "The Rock of Chickamau-
ga" and the concluding line, "Tt en-
crown the hero's name with three times
three" was followed by three rousiug
cheers. Gen. Garfield then announced
the programme for tomorrow as follows:
$50 A. NJ. business meeting Of the
Society of the Army Of the Cumberland; !;
at II, an excursion to Mount Vernon BY
the society; at s r, N. reception by the
President at the Executive Mansion: at
l0P. NJ. q grand promenade concert in the
large tent. .'',
GIN. snERNAS's SPEECH.
Loud calls were then made for General
Sherman. In response that gentleman
stepped to the front and made a short
speech "a hummer speech he termed IT,
in which he thanked the Army Of the
Cumberland for having done q noble
work, and done it we'll. He eulogized the
character and worth Of Gen. Thomas,
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