The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-05
cHsioll.

DETROIT, Aug. 4.-This has been
proud day in the history of the Grand
Armyoithe Republic. Ithas witnessed
the srandest parade in the history Of
the organisation, and has made the
twcnty.fith or silver encampment an
occasion OF magnificence and grandeus
surprising the fondest dreams cherished
by its humble founder, DR.. Stephenson,
of Illinois, twenty-five years ago. II
sentiment and sympathy and love could
control the destiny OF the Grand Army
Of the Republic itlwould live forever;
but the inexorable logic OF statistics
sounds warning to every veteran that
in time the surviving comrade OF the
surviving post must be mustered out"
and the Grand Army of the Republic
be known no more, save TO the memory
Of the grateful nation it defended md
preserved.
Every reunion impresses upon tho
surviving veterans the fact that the Pc
riod in their lives is finally reached
when the death rate multiplies year by
year. until now the eternal messenger
dccimates their numbers in more deadly.
ratio than did all the battles OF the war.
II has, therefore, been the desire OF
all the leaders Of the organization that
the twenty.iifth encampment should be
the most successful in the history Of the
&. A. H., and the parade tho most mag
niiicent the order has ever known. Ger
tain 1t is that the multitudes which as
semhled in Detroit today were larger
than the City Of the Straits has ever
greeted before, and in the magnificence
otpageantry and the beauty OF decora-
tions, to.day's parade is without prece-
dent in the years that have passed.
The veterans were eager for the grand
parade, which was to recall so many
"reminiscences Of former days. Before
the sun had risen Grand Army bands
were abroad, and the measured tread OF
the veterans preparing for the march
resoundCd through the streets.
WITH MILITARY PRECISION.
Promptly at the hour indicated, aud
with military precision which showed
that the volunteer soldiers had forgot
ten none Of their early training, the
posts assembled on the line Of march.
Four magnificent arches, erected BY cit
lzens in different pnrts OF the city,
marked the line OF march. One was
the Peace" arch at Fort and Griswold
streets; another arch bridged Jefferson
avenue, but the magnificent tower and
War arch at the intersection OF Wood
ward and Jefferson avenues was veri-
table work Of art. 1t was built upon
iihe plan OF the famous EiGcl tower OF
faris, and was double arch looking
through from either avenue, and hand
somely decorated, "TriumphRp arch
was another excellent piece OF architec-
lure, displaying the insignia Of the va
fious corps OF the Union army; crown.
ing the structure were fields guns, un-
i,lmbered, and posted on the caps OF the
lateral supports OF the fanks we're
stands OF guns.
For one solid six hours to-day, under
u bright sun, 10000 veterans trumped
Hurdily over the line OF march, and
snch was the inspiration OF tho moment
that even the ieeblest OF the malmed
ana crippled comrades found them
selves adequate to the ordeal Of tie Ave
miles march.
O. The firing Of a salute from the United
States steamship Michigan in the har-
oor announced TO the waiting veterans
~ 1880 that the command to move had
I,.S Tesn given by the commander in chief.
When Gem Veazey appeared before the
reviewing stand, the vast concourse Of
people, clustered about the campus,
che,ered themselves hoarse. The Gen.
eral era reigncd in his charger and paused.
ven. Alger and the Detroit post, his es-
v2Ft, passed by him and drow up before
lhe reviewing stand, fronting it with
canes at a charge, Gen. Veazey looked
Sn with agratified smile; then, lifting
his hat gracefully from his brow, he al.
i,owed his horse to pass with slow steps
!te !Gelote them. As he passed the review
Jug stand, every occupant arose to his
ieet' Beside the staff 81 the commander
~ chief, there were on the reviewing
stand Secretary OF War Proctor, Secre-
Wry OF the Navy Tracy, Gen. Miles,
assistant Secretary Of the Interior Bus.