The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-09-20
THE BOYS IN BLUE.
Grand Reunion of Old Vets in
Washington.
GRAND ARMY PALACE DEDICATED.
Attendance SURPRISES Anything Ever Seen in
Washington-G Palmer and Vice
President Morton Deliver Addresses.

Washington Palmer and Vice
President Morton Deliver Addresses.
= WASHINGTON, Sept. ls.-Fwenty- six
years ago the loyal organization known as
the Grand Army of the Republic, was
formed with B. Z. Stephenson, ILL.,, as the
first commander. Since then the men who
fought to preserve the union have met IN
yearly reunion, but never In this city since
the close of the war of the rebellion till to-
day.
For days the grizzled comrades have been
gathering from every part of the Union I'M
til the attendance surpasses anything ever
before seen in Washington. All hotels.
tented camps, school houses and large
number of private residences are thrown
open to them and crowded with men who
defended the capital against the invasion
Of the dark days of the fraternal strife.
Every available resource is drawn upon,
and in spite Of the vast throng, everybody
is cared for, sheltered and fed.
AS the hours of the night wore on the
hustle and stir which characterized the
day and evening subsidized and the state
fnent
''ALL QUIET ON THE POTOMAC"
became as true SIS in the days when some
of these same patriotic men slept on their
arms under the open sky on the banks OF
the historic river.
Today breke bright and pleasant, and as
the sun mounted the east there was a gen
lal warmth like that of early autumn or
belated summer. II was just day for GO
ing about and enjoying life outdoors. The
camps were astir early and abuliIiOns and
breakfast attended to, the visitors were
ready TO enjoy the day. The decorations OF
the city are elaborate and tasteful through
out but along the historic Pennsylvania
avenue from the capitol building to Twen-
1y-second street, along which the Uriou
armies marched with service worn uni
forms and
BATTLE-sCARRED FLAGS
at the close OF the war. is particularly Or il
liant.
Public buildings received special care in
this regard, and the White House and treas
ury department were cOnspicuously beautl-
full and elaborate. The feature of the day
was the Inauguration and dedication of the
Grand Army ia ace, as ii IS called.
1t is q magnificent stretch of greensward,
lying just south of the White House
grounds. On this, by arrangement tents
duction Of the closing campaign Of the war.
with Richmond in the centre, surrounded
>-by groups Of tents representing The various
army corps which assisted to wind up the
war.
HARRISON SENDS A MESSAGE.
General Palmer has received the follow
ing telegram from President Harrison:
LOON LAKE, y. Y, Sept 10.
General John Palmer. Commander in chief G.
had looked forward with much interest TO
the great rehearsal in Washington next Tues
day of the victor's march OF 1865. l would have
esteemed il one of the highest honors OF my pub
lie life TO have welcomed 10 the national capital
and 10 have received In its historic avenue this
representative assembly Of men who not only
saved the city from destruction but made 1t
worthy TO be the political capital of the IN
broken Union. 1t would have also been one of
the most favored rnd tender incidents of nv
private life to have taken these comrades by
The hand. but ali this has Deen denied me by the
intervention OF the sad. imperative duty. and 1
can only ask you TO give 10 ali my greetings and
good wishes. Accept my sincere thanks for
your very kind and sympathetic message
(Signed) BENJAMIN HARRISON.
lhe prominent feature in the grounds is
the model of the old war vessel Kearsarge,
some portions Of the original vessel, such
as the rudder post, port holes and dead
latch being from the old vessel itself
The dedication of the Grand Army palace,
EE6C6UtQ w Ju6 p&TdQ6 OIL members OF the
regular army and navy, was of special in
terest to the veterans, affcrding an oppor-
tunity TO contrast the arms ana ACQUIRE
ments now in use with those carried dur
ing the late war. The procession consisted
of five brigades, including q trip to the
regular army, naval batteries and marines
district; the National guard the hosts of
the department of the Potomac G. A r.
and Sons of Veterans. The procession
marched from Second street up Pennsyl-
wanna avenue TO the treasury building
where it was reviewed by Vice-President
Morton; thence to Grand Army palace
After the parade Vice -Presldent Morton
was escorted to the Grand Army palace and
received with 8 salute from the guns of the
Kearssrge. He took his place on the stand
by Commanderin-Chief Palmer. Prayer
was offered by Chaplsin-in-Chief Payne of
Florida. Then General Palmer delivered
his introductory address
He dwelt on the glorious record OF Union
armies. referred feelingly to the absence of
the beloved dead commanders, and spoke
regretiuily of the enforced absence OF
President Harrison, paying tribute TO
him as soldier ana president and intro
duced Vice-President Morton, having first
read the presidents telegram OF regret at
his absence. Morton then delivered the
formal dedication address.
The speaker began by referring IN SYM
pathetic terms to the domestic reasons
which caused the absence of President
Harrison, and prayed God TO give grace in
the hour OF need to he who had stately
been standing at the gate If the nation to
challenge the entrance OF an impiacable
enemy that must be confronted at the out
posts" Turning to the matter directly in
hand, the speaker continued:
see before me the survivors Of a genera
tion Of men who emblazoned the pages Of his
tory and freedom for all time 10 come; who
have set the example Tor republican France for
united Germany for reconstructed Italy and
who have broadened and deepened the founda-
tens OF the English CONSTITUTION and of Anglo
Saxon liberty. OF this great army OF liberty
whether they have passed away still are
present for duty, you are their honored repre-
Sentatlves. The president would speak TO YOU
as a comrade. II is for me TO greet you in te-
half OF the business interests Affect
ing the welfare Of the whole peo-
pie in behalf OF trade and commerce
OF husbandmen and artisan employer and en-
ployed, in behalf OF all men and women from
every section who love the union. bid you
welcome in behalf Of president and his cab
met OF advisers IN behalf of the congress Of the
United States and the national judiciary ad-
ministering collectively the government you
have secured and in behalf of the whole people
made ilustrlons by your heroism and that Of
your 3dyersariess now. your friends. / greet
you in behalf Of the stalwart north and loyal
south, OF the sun-illumined east and the com
mancing west. Under the shadows of the CAPT
tol you have preserved in this beautiful city
founded by Washington, made sacred by
The services and sacrifices Of Lincoln
and in fun view OF Virginia the birth
place OF presidents and the burial place
Of heroes in order of time. This may or may
not be your last review. but express the hope
OF a grateful people that heaven will boDn
1eously lengthen cut your lives before you are
called 10 The other shore to re5oin the ranks of
your companies, arc my countrymcn in behalf
o. the whole American people, dedicate this
.sGRAND ARMY PALACE