Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-09-20

sxtors, because of the opportunity it afford
ssd OF contrasting the appearance and move
ments of the veterans with the precise and
modern methods of the soldiers of Uncle
Sans regular army and navy, for the prin-
cipal part in yesterdays parade was taken
by the regular soldiers, sailors and marines
stationed in Washington, and the District
of Columbia national guard, which ranks
high in the points of efficiency, drill and
soldierly appearance among the militia or
ganizations of the country.
Reviewed by the Vice President.
The procession consisted of five brigades,
commanded by General Eugene A Carrus-
sa,. as follows: Troops of the regular army,
naval batteries and marines. District ma
tional guard, posts of the department of
the Potomac, Grand Army of the Republic
and Sons OF Veterans. The procession
started at 10 O'Clock from Second street.
west of the Capitol, and was reviewed by
the vice president from the reviewing stand.
Upon arrival at Grand Army Place the eX
ercises We're begun by prayer and music,
which was followed by the address of Com
mander in Chief Palmer.
IL General Palmer's Address.
Palmer was applauded vigorously when
he arose and said:
"COMRADES:-For the first time since the
close of the great civil conflict you Will have
an opportunity of meeting your comrades
in arms in headquarters provided for
each of the great army corps that existed
during the war. 1t would certainly be in
vidous of me to single out or attempt to
mention any particular corps for its gallant
service. l know that human nature on the
average is about alike, and l can appreciate
how every soldier took special delight IN
speaking with pride of the service rendered
by the corps in which he served, and no one
will object if when you get together today
the recollections of past dangers tempt you
to be enthusiastic.
All Loyal to the Cause.
"Whatever differences of opinion we may
have as to the gallantry of the several corps,
there is point upon which we all agree.
that whether it was the comrade who wore
the star or the eagle, whether it was he who
We're the insignia of non-commiSSioned
officer or the common soldier who carried
his musket in the ranks, each was loyal to
the common cause for which he served and
each tried to do his full duty as he saw it.
The same can be said for each corps and its
gallant commander: each did its full share
in the contest and each shared in the glor-
iouS achievements of the Union army.
Reference to the Dead.
"The thought that so many of our gal
liant leaders cannot be with US today fills
our hearts with many sad reflections.
They would respond cheerfully at the call
of friendship as they did in 1861 to the call
of duty. The vacant places they have
left in our ranks are more suggestive than
the presence of the living and if they are
not with today it is because other
glories are reserved for them, while we are
left with others to enjoy the fruits of their
great labors.
The Presidents Absence.
"And now, comrades, know you will
share my feelings of profound regret over
the circumstances which caused the absence
of one whom you would all have been de-
lighted to see and hear, and who anticipated
joining you in all the festivities of the week:
a comrade whose gallant services to the ma
tion in the hour of peril have been supple
mented by his wise and patriotic manage
ment of the affairs of this great republic in
time of peace-Comrade Benjamin Har-
riSon"
Telegram from Loon Lake.
He then read telegram from President
Harrison who said he had looked forward
with great pleasure to this meeting with
his old comrades. and would have esteemed
it one of the highest honors of his life to
have welcomed them to the capital of an
unbroken union. He closed: 1T would
also have been one of the most favored and
tender incidents of my private life to have
taken these comrades by the hand again
but all this has been denied me by the in
tervention of sad and imperative duty.
and can only ask you to give to all my
cordial greeting and good wishes Accept
my sincere thanks for your very kind and
sympathetic message
The reference to President Harrison was
the signal for enthusiastic cheering which
lasted some time.
VICE PRESIDENT NORTON.