St. Paul daily globe., 1891-05-31
At MEMORYS SHRINE
Wreaths and Chaplets Affee-
tiOnately Laid on Graves
Of Patriots.
Sweet Memorial Day Gener-
ously Honored Through
out the Land.
The President and Vice Presi-
dent Join in Loving Tri-
butes Of Praise.
North and South, East and
West, Fall in With Rev.
epent Tread.

PHILADELPHIA May 3O.-TO-day is a
legal holiday in this state, and business
IN this city was almost entirely suS
pended. The day was cloudy and
threatening, but there was no rainfall,
and many sporting events and decOra-
lion ceremonies we're all well attended.
The principal points of interest were of
course those visited by President Harri
son and the distinguished members of
the party accompanying him from
Washington. President Harrison, Sec
retary Proctor, Secretary Tracey,
Postmaster General Wanamaker
and Private Secretary Halford
arrived at 11:l5 this morning over the
Baltimore d Ohio road for the purpose
of taking part IN the ceremonies of Me-
mortal day. The president and the
members of his cabinet were the guests
of George q. Mead Post No. l. In wait
ing at the station to welcome the presi-
dent was delegation from the post,
headed by Post Commander Louis San
ger. AS soon as the train came to
Standstill, it was boarded by the delega-
ton, and Commander Sanger welcomed
the president in behalf of the post and
with the following words pinned on his
breast post badge: ''AS the represent
ative of the George q. Mead Post,
! desire to decorate you with this
badge, and to pin it over as loyal a
heart as beats in the Grand Army"
The President bowed his thanks
to Commander Sanger, and taking
his arm, left the car, followed
tor, Postmaster General Wanamaker
and Private Secretary HalfOrd. The
president passed down the platform be-
tween a row of the comrades of the
post, who were drawn up on every side.
The president, the members of his cab
met, Private Secretary Halford and the
post delegation then entered carriages.
and the line of march was taken up for
Independence hail. The entire route
was profusely decorated with bunting
and lined with crowds of people. When
Independence hall was reached, the
president was escorted within by Com
mander Sanger and introduced to Mayor
Stuart, who, In brief speech, well
coined him in benalf of the city. Pres
ident Harrison responded as follows:
Mr.. Mayor, Comrades of the Grand Army
of the Republic and Fellow Citizens: L
esteem it a great pleasure to stand in this
historic edIfice, in this historic city, to take
part to-day rs a comrade of the Grand Army
OF the Republic in these most instructive and
interesting exercises which have been in
Stltuted TO keep alive in our hearts the
memories of patriotic devotion to sacrifice.
1t is eminenty appropriate that we should
stand for little time before we go to the
graves of our dead in this edifce where the
foundation declarations of independence
and of civil government were made and put
into that course of development which has
brought our nation TO its present
position OF prosperity and Of in1iu-
ence among the nations of the earth.
have recently in an extended trip, been
able to see what the flower is of the seeds
that were planted here. We are here, in
Philadelphia, community instituted upon
the principles OF peace and good will among
men; and yet, in a community that had given
conspicuous illustration of the fact that the
fruits OF peace may sometimes be made to be
defended by the valor of soldiers, you did not
At all depart from the great lessons which
were taught by the founders of this great
colony, when, uniting with your comrades
from all the states, you went out into the
field to hold up this banner; to maintain
peace which should be perpetual and all per
Vadlng Ill all the states. Obedience to law is
the first element Of domestic peace and social
law. You went out TO maintain that, and
have established, as l believe, again in the
affection of all our people the old flag of our
fathers, and have settled perpetualy the
question of loyal submission to the constitu-
ton and the law i'll all the states. 1t has been
settled 10 the great contentment and happi-
ness of ali our people, and brought what any
other nation could have brought, prosperity
10 every section and every state. ] appreciate
most highly this generous welcome which
The exercises of the day with a sense OF their
fitness and of the great events which thev
commemorate. l have never keen able to
think of the day as one of mourning; |
have never been able to feel that half-mast-
ed flags were appropriate on Decoration dav
] have rather felt that the flag should be at
the peak. because those whose dying we com
memorate reioiced seeing il where their
valor placed it. We honor them in a Joyous.
thankful, triumphant commemoration of
what they did We mourn for them as COM
radeS from whom we have parted; but we
feel the glory of their dying and the glory of
their achievement covers all our great land
and has set them in an imperishable roll of
honor"
After the president had concluded.
the doors were thrown open, and for an
hour the president shook the hands of
the people of Philadelphia at the rate of
half hundred minute. At the con-
clusIon of the public reception, the pres
ideut was escorted to the station. and
took the tram for Laurel Hill cemetery,
where he took part in the ceremonies
over the grave of Gen. George G.. Mead.
the hero of Gettysburg The memorial
OrationS at the cemetery were delivered
by Rev. Dr.. Henry c. McCOok and Rev.
Dr. Francis l.. Wayland. Gen. George
Mead's grave was especially hOnored by
VolleyS from battery of small arms.
After honOring the dead, the president
and his party proceeded to the Union
league, where they were received by
the president of the club, eX-Mayor Fit
ler, and the guest committee. Dinner
was served at 4 o'clock, and a reception
10 members of the league and members
of Meade post, by invitation, was held
from $50 to 6:30 o'clock. At O'Clock
the president and party were taken in
charge by the guest committee, who es-
corted them to the Baltimore & Ohio
station, where they took the train for
Washington.