The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 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. The
President rode with ex-PresidentH Hayes,
Hon. Amos Townsend and Hon. d. P.
Eells Vice-President Morton occupied
a carriage with Lieutenant-Governor
Marquis, Mayor George w. Gardener
and Hon. Fl. NJ. 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 25, 900 in
line.
1t was nearly o'clock when the head
of the procession passed through the
magnificent memorial arch at the en-
trance to Lakeview. The sides of the
bluff and the plateau at the top
were quickly packed with people and
crowd of $4,000 assembled about
the platform from which the speak
ing was to take place. There were
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. ]. St.. nley
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
an eloquent and earnest one. At it's
conclusion Ex-Governor Jacob D. Cox,
of Cincinnati, the orator of the day, was
introduced and delivered a 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 CITIZENS:
thank you most sincerely for this cordial greet
ing but shall not be betrayed by it into q
lengthy speech.
1.-The selection of this day for these exercises
was fittilg-a day conSecrated to the memory
Of those who died that there might one flag Of
honor and authority encircle us with its folds
to-day-the unrivaled object of our loyal love-
lApplause.]
This monument. so imposing and tasteful
Ettingly typites the grand and symmetrical
character of him in whose honor it has been
builded Applause.l
His was the arduous greatness of things
doue. No frie ndly hands constructed and placed
for his ambition ladder upon which he might
climb His own brave hands framed and nailed
the cleats upon which he cimed to the heights
of public usefulness and fame. [Applause.l
He never ceased to be student and in
structor Turning from peaceful pursuits to
army service he quickly mastered tactics and
strategy, and in q brief army career taught
some valuable lessons in military science. Zap
plause. Turning again from the field to the
councils Of state he stood among the greatest
debaters that have made our National Congress
illu>t;ious. What he might have been or done
as President of the United States is left chiefly
to friendly augury, based upon q career that
had no incident Of failure or inadequacy. [Ap-
plause.] The cruel circumstances attending
his death had but one amelioration-that
space Of life was given him to teach from his
dying bed great lesson OF peace and forbear
honorable rest here but the lessons Of his life
and death will continue to be instructive and
inspiring incidents in American history" [Great
apI lause.]
President Harrison was followed by
Vice-President Morton and Governor
Campbell, who made short speeches.
There were cries for General Sherman,
who responded briefly. Secret tary Win
Attorney General Miller, Secretary Rusk
and Bishop Gilmour spoke briefly, and ex-
Postmaster-GeneralT Thomas L. James
bowed in response to the cheers that
greeted his Introduction. Then there
were loud calls for Major Mckinley,
who also spoke briefly.
20 Weep for the Brave" was sung by
the Memorial chorus. This was fol-
lowed by brief ceremonies by the
Knights Templar, after which the dox-
ology was sung and the benediction pro-
nounced by Rev. I. D. Powers, D. d.
This closed the exercises and the
crowd returned to the city.
THE MONUMENT AND STATUE.
The day after President Garfields death a
meeting of citizens was held at Cleveland,
ments for the funeral appointed q committee
to devise ways, means and plans for fitting
memorial. The people Of the whole country
were invited to contribute, and they
responded to the amount Of S134, ,755 This was
increased by the interest paid by the banks on
the deposit to $4,000. In June, 1882 the Gar
field National Memorial Association was in
corporated and took charge Of the money and
the work. Lake View Cemetery was selected as
the location of the monument and prizes of
8 200, $3.50 and $500 were offered for the best
designs. Fifty were submitted. but the first
prize was awarded to George Keller, of Hart
ford, Conn.,, and his drawing adopted Some
unimportant changes were made. however,
In ordef that larger proportion Of the fund
might be devoted to the interior decoration.
The monument as completed is 165 feet high,
circular in form, with q conical roof, square
porch. and is f1anked with small octagonal tow
ers. The upper part of the porch is decorated
with historical frieze divided into five panels.
representing General Garfield as teacher,
soldier, statesman, President and martyr.
There are ITO figures in all In the panels. In
the interior is o reception room for visitors, an
office for the custodian. and an inner temple,
circular in form, in the center Of which, on
marble-paved dais, is q pedestal Of Italian
marble surmounted by heroic statue OF Gar
field carved from massive block brought from
Jarrara. The height Of the figure is seven feet
zine inches. Around the statue are eight mass
we granite pillars which support dome twen-
.y-two feet in diameter. The circular aisle
surrounding the memorial temple and outside
II the columns is surrounded by higher