Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-09-22

and loyalty, Of the men who at their
country's call left home to devote the
best energies of their manhood to its
salvation, In 1866 the Grand Army of
the Republic was founded, with b. +.
Stephenson of Illinois, as the first com
mander-in. chief. Included in its ranks
were many men who had become fam
rus throughout the civilized world for
their brilliant achievements on the field
of war and on the sea and there were also
untold thousands Of the men unknown
to the world by name and who never
wore any more pretentious uniform than
the blue blouse apd trousers, but who
were the units that made up the grand
est force of warriors, in numbers and
warlike deeds, that the world had ever
known.
When their duty was done and their
country was saved, these countless thou
sands laid down the musket and the
sword and returned to the pursuits of
peaceful life, leaving behind the habits
OF the field and the camp and becoming
once more farmers, merchants, mechanics
and laborers. But once a year it has
been the custom of many of them to
come together at some central point and
fraternally review the memory of the
days gone by, of war and yalUr, and
bitter struggle and heroics, of hardship
and disaster, and of iinal and glorious
victory. For % years the commands
have met in this way, but never in that
long time have they gathered al Wash
ingtnn. Now the ranks are thinning
out; old faces are missing and the list Of
the famous generals who led then men
10 victory and have gone on the inn
perishable roll of honor, is growing
npace. So as the years rolled past and the
comrades dropped out Of line, the re-
mainder of that great host has iongcd
TO come once again to the capital city
and tread once more the broad sweep If
the magnificent avenue on which they
stepped with erect figure and martial
bearing in 1865 at the end of the war
At last this longing has been gratitied
snd to-day the Grand Army Of the Re-
lablic begins the first day Of the weeks
reunion in the city of Washington. For
days past the comrades have been gath
cring from every part Of the Union
Great cities, small towns and solitary
FSrm houses have sent their quotes, re-
suaing in an attendance that no man
can closely estimate and certainly sur
passing that ever before seen in Wash
ingtor. Although last night they ar.
rived in so many sections as to consti.
tnie an interesting problem in railroad
Infringement, and every train was laden
aNh comrades and their wives and sons
nd daughters. Besides there were
Y.rv many sightseers not connected
with the G.. A. X. attracted by the
spectacle.
III of these people were taken care of
y they arrived by the members of the
reception committee or the corps of
bright high school boys who were de-
t6.ied for the service. These who had
secured accommodations at hotels or
boarding houses were directed to their
destinations; those who had heeilessly
and without regard to warning circulars
snt out by the citizens committee
scglccted to engage lodgings were fur
aished with addresses where bed and
BOARD might be had, and the great army
If veterans who awaited themselves of
.he free quarters rendered by the citizens
of Washington were escorted to their
temporary quarters. Some way
The vast barracks erected in Garfield
Park, southeast of the Capitol ,ard those
just south Of the reunion grounds,
known as Camp Alger, were filled by
thousands of veterans, and in addition
the many handsome public school
buildings, which are the pride OF the
city, were turned into temporary quar-
tiers for as many of the veterans us
tould find room TO lie side by side. The
which covered the available space in the
monumental grounds and the white lot
where also filled with sleeping comrades.
All of these quarters were furnished to
the G. A. II. free of cost by the citizens
of Washington, and in their grateful
shelter reposed many Scared and time
worn veterans, lying under the shade of
the Capitol, which they preserved to the
union, or IN sight of the southern facade
OF the White House, whose martyr
occupant issued the clarion call which
caused SO many Of them 10 give up
health and strength and youth through
their ready response.
General Palmer this morning received
the following telegram from President
Harrison:
Loon LAKE, N. Y, Sept. 1S-Gcnerul John
Palmer, Commander. inchict G. A. H.: had
looked forward with much interest to the
great rehearsal i'll Washington next Tues
day of the yictors of March, 1865. would
have esteemed 1t one of the highest honors
national capitol and to have received in its
history this representative assembly of
the men who not only saved the city from
the enemy, but made it the worthy politi
cal capitol of an unbroken union. 1t
would also have been one of the most
favored and tender incidents of my private
life to have taken these comrades again BY
the hand but all this has been denied to
me by the intervention of sad and i'm
perative duty, and can only ask you to
give TO all my cordial greetings and good
wishes Accept my sincere thanks for
your very kind and sympathetic message.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
THE FORMAL OPENING
of the exercises of the week was the
dedication of Grand Army Place by
Vice president Morton, as the represen.
tative of President Harrison, who was
detained at Loon Lake, in the presence
of large assembly that filled the whole
enclosure between the Mimic Rich
mond, on which the exercise took place
and the tents around it.
At 1910 a bugler from the U. s
Marine Band sounded the assembly
and Comrade McElerry called thos,
present to order. The Rev. DIR. Spaint
of Florida, chaplain.in chief of the G
A. r., offered prayer. He made specis
plea for the restoration to health of Mrs
Harrison, the sick wife of the absen
comrade whom they had expected t
preside over the ceremonies. There wa
ripple Of applause when Commander
in-chief Palmer of the &. A. r., wa
introduced to the assemblage to deliver
the Introductory address.
The formal dedication address wa
next delivered by Vice. president Morton
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