The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-10-05
WASHINGTON CITY.

The greatest week in the history
of the great organization, the Grand
Army of the Republic, ends today
Within that week has been crowd
ed much that will never be forgot
ton by those who came to the en-
campment, either as participants
or spectators. The big parade was
alone worth travelling around the
world to see; it can never be dup
Heated, as many of the 10000 vet
Grams who proudly marched up
historic Pennsylvania Avenue will
never attend another encampment;
il was a living lesson in our count
RVS history to tho rising generation,
that will always be remembered
with pleasure; and think you that
anybody who was that living U. s.
flag formed of nearly 1000 school
children and listened to the songs
of patriotism and welcome with
which their tireless and fresh young
voices greeted almost continuously
for seven hours the veterans as they
marched past can ever forget the
scene? This singing flag idea was
so unique and withal so enjoyable
that its originator ought to be spec
tally honored in some way by the
G.. A. r..
Washington is proud OF its en-.
campment record, rs it has every
right to be; it has disappointed the
crOakers at home and abroad and
shown that it has no superiOurs
and few, if any, equals as u host,
and mind you, it Is no small task
to satisfactorily entertain crowd
that more than doubles city's
population. Hundreds of veterans
who are regular attendants at the
animal encampments say that
other cities have treated them well,
but none have ever treated them so
we'll as Washington has done. The
veterans we're made to feel that
Washington belonged to them, and
during the entire week there was
q good-natured rivalry among
Washingtonians to see who could
do the most to enhance the tavOable
impression made upon the veterans
when they arrived. The work of
the local committee has been won.
derful; it exhibited to the visitors
the most handsomely decorated
city they had ever seen; it furnish
ed comfortable free sleeping qro"t
ers to $4,000 veterans and arranged
for an ample supply Of food for
them at reasonable prices; it in
troduced for the pleasure Of the
visitors an entirely new method of
fancy electric illumination for
streets; it arranged a system of
reunions, with the aid of Gen Pal
mer and his staff, that was q
decided improvement in that liue:
it gave an exhibition of fireworks
as fine as ever seen in Washington
it stationed courteous clerks wher-
eveuit was thought information
might be desired by veterans. In
short if anything was left undone
that might have added to the COM
fort of its guests it was because no.
body had suggested it to the COM
mittee.
The President, who returned to
the White House in company with
Mrs. Harrison, who is still in
critical condition'We dnesday morn.
ing, was in no frame of mind to take
any part in the entertainments fol-
his comrades, but he was pleased tC
know that everyt ling had beer
so enjoyable to them, and he sc
expressed himself to the committee
Vice President Morton, who took
the Presidents place in receiving
the parade, said;"I am delighted
Everything has been perfect.
Secretary Charles Foster said
"This is undoubtedly the bigges
week in the history of the G. A. r.
Secretary Tracy at is the great
est thing out" Attorney GeneIa
Miller -"Why this is the bigges
thing in the universe. 1t surpasse,
belief. 1t is highly creditable t,
citizens and soldiers" Posmaste
General Wan amaker.- It's a grea
occasion. 1 am proud of my Stat,
and her soldiers, proud of my coun
try, and proud that l am entitled
to wear the badge of the G. A. r.
Gen. Schofield Accustomed al
my life to military affairs, 1 am as
tonished at this demonstration.
is a revelation" Gen. b. F. Butte
"Great is the only word for it.
| -bnpld hax-a oopaa 10 tb;s anoa,,r