River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-08-29

interesl was the big scaffold OF the monu-
ment itself, looming up in the center of
the city TO the distance of 1O4 feet
In every direction from the top ropes
stretched away to neighboring build
ings or trees, and each was strung
with a glowing rosary of pennons OF
countless sizes and innumerable shapes,
from garrison flags thirty feet Iong to tiny
emblems of freedom hardly large enough
to crowd three colors into. At the corners
of the scaffold are =, 000-candle power cleo
trio lights, which will make the beauty of
the scene as plain by night as day.
The exercises of the day began at 2
O'Clock, when the parade formed and be-
gan its march through the principal streets.
1t was made up of various posts of the
Grand Army of the Republic throughout
| the State. and the State militia and
local civil organizations 1t is estimated
| that 5000 men were in line. In the
second division, commanded by General
Dick Ruckle, Immediately in the rear of
the military, was the escort of President
Harrison, 100 strong, all mounted and in
command of Colonel Oran Perry. Be-
tween the sections of the escort
rode the President in a fag-draped
carriage, Mayor Denny and Governor
Hovey riding with him. The President
acknowledged the compliments of the
torney General Miller, Secretary Rusk and
Private Secretary Halford were in the
next carriage. Then came the monument
commissioners, State officers. city officials,
prominent citizens and speakers. The Off
GERS of the Woman's Relief Corps occupied
handsomely draped carriage.
1t was nearly 3 o'clock when the head of
tie procession reached the monument All
the streets surrounding it were packed
with people anxious to catch a glimpse of
the President and other prominent person
ages who appeared on the speakers stand
and o witness the ceremonies
As the President was recognized ON the
stand he was greeted with a cheer, which
he acknowledged with a slight bow. The
crowd watched in silence the laying of the
corner stone by Charles NJ Travis, Deputy
Commander of the Indiana depart
ment, Grand Army OF the Republic
The dOcuments-Grand Army, Loyal
Legion, Sons of Veterans and Woman's Re
lief rituals reports and rosters with pho
tographs newspapers, etc.-were con
signed to their resting place. and then
the stone was placed in position in &C
cordance with the ritual of the Grand
Army of the Republic. In perform
ing the ritual rites Commander Travis
was assisted by the officers or the depart
ment and by the presidents of he Sons of
Veterans and the Woman's Relief Corps
When the stone had been placed in position
the national flag was raised and the "Star
Spangled Banner" sung by Mrs. Zelda
Seguin- Wallace The ceremony ended
with the firing of a salute.
The following articles were deposited
in the corner stone: Terrelrs reports,
Grand Army of the Republic reports,
badges, ritual and roster; Women's Relief
corps reports, badges ritual and
roster; Sons of Veterans reports,
badges, ritual and roster; monu-
mental reports and documents since
January l photographs and plans for the
monument, Loyal Legion reports, first me-
mortal service OF the Grand Army of the
Republic reports Of original Grand Army
of the Republic, minutes of Legislature
which passed Monument bill, and the city
papers
Following this Governor Hovey, as pre-.
siding officer of the occasion, made brief
address, and he was followed by General
NJ d. Manson of Charlottesville, and
General John Coburn, of indianapolis At
the conclusion of the latter's address Pres
ident Harrison was introduced to the as
sembIage, and after the applause which
greeted him had ended he spoke as fol
lows:
mr.. president AND FELLow-CTTIzENs: ]
did not expect to make any address on this
cas- on II would have been pleasant II / could
have found leisure TO make suitable prepare
tons to have accepted the invitation OF the
committee having these exercises in charge
TO deliver Grafton. ] would have felt
IL an honor to associate my name
with occasion so great as this.
tCheers.l Public duties, however, pre-
vented the acceptance of the invitation,
and could only promise TO be present with
you to day. II seemed to me most appropriate
that should take part with my fellow-citizens
of Indiana in the great ceremony. There have
been few occasions in the history OF our State
so fun Of interest, so magnificent, so insp ring,
that which we now witness. lCheers.
THE suggestion that monument should be
builded to commemorate the valOr and hero SIN
of those soldiers of Indiana who gave their
lives for the flag attracted my interest from
the beginning Cheers Five years ago last
January when the PEOPLE assembled ia the
opera-house yonder TO unvail the statue which
had been worthily set up to our great war
Governor cheersl, I ventured to express
the hore that near by IT, as n twin express on
OF one great sentiment, there might be builded
a noble shaft not to any man, not TO bear ON
any OF its maiest faces the name Of man,
but monument about VII oh The sons OF vet
Grams. the mothers OF our dead, The W dows
that are yet m US. ght gather, aud. oiat-
ing TO the stately shaft, say; There is his
| monument lChee $.
The hope expressed that day is real zGd
now. tCries OF Thank Godt and cheersl 7
congratulate the people OF Indiana that our
Legislature has generously met the expeeia-
tions OF our patriotic people. Cheers
congratulate the commissioners having this
great work in charge that they have secure
a design that W II not suffer under the crit-
SIN OF the best artists OF tha world. Cheers.
I congratulate you that monument so costly
as 10 show that value that which IT com
memorates so artistic as TO express the sent.-
ment which invoked il, is 10 stand in the cap
ital OF Indiana lCheers.l
Does any one say there is wastefulness
here lCres OF No, NOT Ny countrymen,
esO0O1 has never passed. and will never pass,
from the treasury OF Indiana that will give q
better return than the expenditure for 1ac
erection OF this monument. lCheers.l As have
witnessed these ceremonies and listened 70
these patriotic hymns l read in the faces OF the
men who stood about me that lifting up OF the
soul, that kindiinC OF patr Otto fire. that has
made me real &c that in such occasions the Ma
ton is laying deep and strong its future security.
Cheers. This is a monument OF Indiana 10 In
diana soldiers. But l beg you TO remember
that they were only soldiers of Indiana until
the enlistment oath was taken; that from that
hour un.n they came back 10 the generous state
that had sent them forth they were soldiers Of
the Union. tGreat applause SO that IL
seemed 20 me not inappropriate that should
br ng 10 you to-day the sympathy and cheer OF
the loyal people OF all, the States. lApplause
need ave 10 pass It with unsympathe;ic
eyes. for nv countrymeu. II Goes not
commemorate a war Of subjugation- There
is not in the United States to-d7y a nan who,
u he real yes what has occurred since the
war and has opened his soul To the sigat Of
that which is 10 come. VIII not feel thar II 5
good for all our people that victory crowned
the cause which this monument commemo
rates. lCries OF amen" and applauscl !
do seriously believe that u we can measure
among the States the benefits resulting from
the preservation Of the Union the re-
beIlious States have the larger share Tap
plause II destroyed institution that was
their destruction. Il opened The way for .
commercial life that II they viii only en-
brace it and face the light means to them
development that shall rival the best alta n
ments OF the greatest OF our States LAP
piause.
~Aad nov. let me thank you for your pleasant