Morning journal and courier., 1886-06-18
Friday, June IS, 1886.
AT THE SOLDIERS, MON UMENT.

The Corner stone Laid By The Grand Army of The Republic In The Press enee of ThOusaRds of PeoPle-Patr1- otic Addresses By Governor Harrison And Others-Sfngfng By a Chorus or Children From The PubI1c SchOols-
 Interesting Exercises.
 Soon after the noon hour yesterday men, women and children began to assemble at the corner of Church and Chapel streets, where they took horse cars on the State street line for the entrance to East Rock Park by Bishops gate. The horse railroad company brought all of their own rolling stock into acquisition and what they could borrow from other lines and were thus en- abled to transport people with dispatch. great many citizens went in private con- veyances to the park, while others ventured to walk the entire distance. When the hour | arrived for commencing the exercises of lay ing the corner stone of the soldiers monu- ! ment there were thousands of people crowd ed about the site. On the top of the base of the monument on one corner of which the corner stone was to be laid, was stationed Landrigan's band, and standing on this ele- vated spot were also Governor Harrison and Adjutant General Smith, His Honor Mayor Holcomb and other city officers, members of
 the Board of Selectmen and several gentle men who were to make addresses, General | Frank D. Sloat, chairman of the monument | committee and president of the day, Com ! manders Fox of Admiral Foote post, Gleason ! of Henry c. Merwin post, Weidig of Won I Steinwehr post, Captain Farnham of Nathan Hale camp, Sons of Veterans, and many oth- CT Grand Army veterans and citizens. The scene about the base of the monu- ment was most interesting one. Hundreds of children from the public schools in holi- day attire were there looking with wondering interest on the massive blocks of granite which, one by one, were to be placed in po- sition until the grand monument shall be complete. Then there were old men and young men, mothers and maidens, all show ing deep interest in the proceedings as they progressed. It was most interesting sight and one that will not soon be forgo ten by those who were present.
 The members of three Grand Army posts and Sons of Veterans formed about the side of the base nearest to the corne- stone, the crowd in the rear pressing in upon them in a rather uncomfortable way, but the veterans took it all good-naturedly.
 When all wes in readiness the signal was given and the exercises commenced with an appropriate selection by the band. On its conclusion Chairman Sloat introduced Com rade Rev. Erastus Blakeslee of the Second Congregational church, Fair Haven, who in voked the divine blessing as follows:
 PRAYER BY THE REV. ERAsrUs BLAKEs1EE. Oh! thou king of kings and Lords, thou who ruleth over the nations of the earth and who art the God of battles as truly thou art the God of peace, we, thy servants, some of us graciously saved by thee from out of the terrible storm of war, for which we thank him, and all of us grateful unto thee for thy marvellous goodness to our be loved land, invoke thy blessing on the work for which we are this day assembled.
 We would honor the dead who died that government of the people, by the people and for the people" might not perish from off the face of the earth. Their deeds, with thy blessing, have made this nation free. They gave themselves for us. We thank thee that in our dire ex- tremity thou didst raise up men eff valor, who held not their own lives dear that so their country might be saved. We can add nothing to the honor wherewith they hon. ored themselves in needing thy call to this supreme service to their fellow men. We would that they ard their deeds be not for gotten, but that they be held in everlasting and grateful remembrance. To this end, on this lofty height built by thee, we raise to them this monument. Grant that it may ever remain to speak of the toll and bloodshed through which law and order, safety, liberty and peace are ours May it stimulate the patriotism of genera tions yet unbo1l. May it remind them and not only of that great conflict for libe. ty in which our generation bore it's part nobly :, but also of other conflicts through which op fathers won and defended our nations life. In it's strength and beauty may it symbolize the glorious virtues of self-sacrifce and pat riotism. May it's silent influence evermore 414 II 1<~,r1 1,H i. reason of it may the future of our land be helped to the largest measure of public hon or, courage and virtue.
 Grant thy blessing on our nation and all rulers in it, and make it all that thou woulds't have it be, to thine own honor and glory and to the upbuilding of thy kingdom in the world. Bless this assembled multi tude. Help us all in all the battle of life, give us the victory, and grant that at last we may all stand together on the mount of God, to give thee glory and honor and bless ing for the goodness to us and to our dear native land forevermore. And to thy name shall be all the praise world without end. Amen.
 On the conclusion of the prayer the public school children under the direction of Com rade Professor B. Jepson sang the following hymn to the tune ''Mendon":
 Let every he IL with freedom beat, And sing the anthem of the free; Let truth and love forever meet Around the flag of liberty.
 We'll never yield to hostile foe
 That dare approach by land or sea;
 With firm resolve we'll lay them low,
 And rally round our libertyi
 God bless our flag, God bless our flag,
 Its stars and gems of living light;
 That standard sheet is ever dear,
 God bless the flag of liberty
 General Sloat then delivered the following address:
 GENERAL sLoAT's ADDRESS
 Fellow Citizens-On December 7, 1882,