The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-06-05
THE GARFIELD MEMORIAL

THE GARFIELD MEMORIAL
military parade which proceeded to the
cemetery, where thousands had congre-
gated upon the great stand upon which
the President, members Of his Cabinet
and many other distinguished men were
seated.
The Presidential party was escorted
by the First Cleveland troop Of cavalry
and detachment Of marines from the
United States steamer Michigan. Tho
President rode with ex- President Hayes,
Hon. Amos Townsend and Hon. d. r
Eells Vice-President Morton occupied
. carriage with Lieutenant-Governo
Marquis, Mayor George w. Gardener
and Hon. II. M. Hanna.
There were thirty bands In the line.
The procession was two hours in pass
ing given point 1t WAS five miles in
length and there were at least $4,000 in
line.
1t was nearly 8 o'clock when the head
OF the procession passed through the
magnificent memorial arch at the en-
trance to Lakeview. The sides Of the
blum and the plateau at the top
were quickly packed with people and
crowd of $1,000 assembled about
the platform from which the speak
ing was to take place. There we're
loud cheers when the President and
the other distinguished guests arrived
and were given seats. Mrs. Garfield and
her four sons-James, Harry. Abram and
Irving-and Mr.. and Mrs. j. Stanley
Brown (nee Mollie Garfield) occupied
seats on the platform.
The exercises began At 3:15 o'clock.
Ex-President Hayes. who is president
Of the Garfield Memorial Association,
presided. Bishop Leonard's prayer was
IN eloquent and earnest one. At its
conclusion ex-governor Jacob ID. Cox,
Of Cincinnati, the orator Of the day, was
introduced and delivered long and
eloquent grafton.
The hallelujah chorus by Handel was
next sung. after which President Har.
rison was introduced. He was greeted
by prolonged cheering and spoke with
earnestness as follows:
"MR. CHAIRMAN AND FELLow-CITlZENs:
thank you most sincerely for this cordial greet
Ing, but shall not be betrayed by It into Z
/ lengthy speech.
.The selection OF this day for these exercises
was htti,g-a day consecrated to the memory
of those who died that there might one nag oi
honor and authority encircle as with its folds
| to-day-the unriyaled object Of our loyal love
! lApplause.
.sThis monument. 30 imposing and tasteful
4 Rttingly typines the grand and symmetrical
builded. lApplause.l
His was the ardu0us greatness OF thingt
done. No frie ndly hands constructed and placed
| for his ambition o ladder upon which he might
climb. His own brave hands framed and nailed
the cleats upon which he climed to the heights
OF public usefulness and fame. (Applause.l
He never ceased to be student and In
structor. Turning from peaceful pursuits 4
army service he quickly mastered tactics and
strategy. and in = brief army career taught
some valuable lessons In military science. Jap
plause.l Turning again from the field TO thu
councils OF state he stood among the Creates
debaters that have made our National Congress.
as President Of the United States is left chief,
TO friendly augury, based upon . career tha
had no incident Of failure or inadeQuacy. Zap
plause.l The cruel circumstances attending
his death had but one amclioratiOn-tha
space OF life was given him TO teach from hii
ance. [Applausc.l His mortal part will find
honorable rest here, but the lessons Of his lifs
and death will continue to be instructive and
inspiring incidents In American history" lGres
apl lause.l
President Harrison was followed by
Vice-President Morton and Governor
Campbell, who made short speeches
There were cries for General Sherman
who responded briefly. Secretary Win
dom, Postmaster General Wanamaker
Attorney General Miller, Secretary Rusl
and Bishop Gilmour spoke briefly. and ex
Postmaster-General Thomas L. James
bowed in response to the cheers tha
greeted his introduction. Then there
were loud calls for Major Mckinley
who also spoke briefly.
20 Weep for the Brave" was sung b,
the Memorial chorus This was fol
lowed by brief ceremonies by tn,
knights Templar, after which the dox
ology was sung and the benediction pro
nounced BY Rev. 7. d. Powers, u. d.
This closed the exercises and th'
crowd returned to the city.
THE MONUMENT AND STATUS.
The day after President Gardeld's death
meeting Of citizens was held At Cleveland
O.. and, after making the preliminary arrange
ments for the funeral. appointed committo
to devise ways, means and plans for fttin
memorial. The people OF the whole cOuntr
were invited to contribute, and the
resi- onded to the amount Of el34.755. This wa
increased by the interest paid by the banks o
the deposit to $4,000. In June, 1852, the Gal
field National Memorial Association was II
corporated and took charge OF the money an
the work. Lake View Cemetery was selected q
the location OF the monument and prizes 9
COO $50 and t50O were offered for the bes
designs. Fifty were submitted, but the frs
prize was awarded to George Keller, OF Har
ford, Conn, and his drawing adopted. Som
unimportant changes were made. however
In order that larger proportion OF the fun
might be devoted to the interior decoration.
The monument ns completed Is 165 feet higi
circular in form. with . conical roof. . squsr
porch. and is ianked with small octagonal TOW
ers. The upper part OF the porch 10 decorate
representing General Garfield rs teacher
soldier, statesman, President and marty
There are ITO figures In oil In the panels.
the interior Is q reception room for visitors, .
ONCE for the custodian. and IN inner temple
circular in form, In the center OF which, on
marblepsved dais, Is Q pedestal OF Italia
marble surmountcd by heroic statue OF Ga
aeld carved from massive block brought froi
carrara. The height Of the figure is seven fe<
7ine inches. Around the statue are eight mas
, | We granite pillars which support dome twol
| .ytwo feet In diameter. The circular aisl
| surrounding the memorial temple and Outsid
u the columns IL surrounded BY . highs