The record-union., 1892-09-20
Special to the REcoRp-UN1ox.

WASHINGTON, Sept l9.-Twenty-S
years ago the loyal organization known
as the Grand Army of the Republic was
formed with B. L. Stephenson of Illinois
as first Commander. Since then yearly
the men who fought to preserve the
Union have met in reunion, but never in
this city till to-day. For days grizzled
comrades have been gathering from
every part of the Union until the attend
ance surpasses anything ever before
seen in Washington. All the hotels,
tented camps, schoolhouses and a large
number of private residences that are
thrown open to them, are crowded with
men who defended the Capital against in
vasion in the dark days of fraternal strife.
Yesterday every available resource was
drawn on, and in spite of the vast throng
everybody was cared for, sheltered and
fed, and as the hours of night wore on
the hustle and stir which characterized
the day and evening subsidized and all was
as "quiet on the Potomac as in the days
when many Of these same patriotic men
slept on their arms under the open skies
on the banks of the historic river.
To-day broke bright and pleasant, and
as the sun mounted the east it dispensed
a genial warmth, like that of early au-
tumn or belated summer. It was lust
such q day that one would choose for
going about and enjoying life out doors.
The camps were astir early, the ablu-
tons and breakfast were attended to, and
the visitors began early to enjoy the day.
The decorations in the city are elabo-
rate and tasteful throughout, but along
historic Pennsylvania avenue, from the
Capitol TO Twenty-second street, along
which the returning Union army
marched, with SerVlce-WOrn uniforms and
baUtle-scarred flags at the close of the
war, the decorations are particularly
brilliant. The public buildings received
special care i'll this regard, and the White
House and the Treasury Department
were conspicuously beautiful and elabo-
rate.
The feature Of the day was the inaug-
uration and dedication of Grand Army
Place, as it is called 1t is magnificent
stretch of greensward, lying just south OF
the White House grounds. On this, by
an arrangement OF tents and stands, has
been laid out a reproduction of the clos
ing campaign OF the war, with Rich
mOnd in the center, surrounded by
groups of tents, representing the various
army corps which assisted to wind up the
war.
A prominent feature in the grounds is
a 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
place was preceded by parade of mem
bers of the regular army and navy, and
was of special interest to the veterans,
affording an opportunity to contrast the
arms and accoutrementS now in use
with those carried during the late war.
The procession consisted of five brigades,
including the troop, regular army, naval
batteries and marines, the District Ma
tional Guard, posts Of the Department of
the Potomac, q. A. r., and Sons of Vet
Grams. he procession marched from
Second street up Pennsylvania avenue to
the Treasury building, where it was re-
viewed by Vice-President Norton; thence
to Grand Army place. Alter the parade
President Morton was escorted to
Grand Army place, where he was re-
ceived with a salute from the guns of the
X earsarge and took place on the stand
beside Commander-in-Ch Palmer.
Prayer was offered by Chaplain-in-
Chief Payne of Florida.
Then General Palmer delivered the in
troductory address.
He dwelt on the glorious record of the
Union armies, referred feelingIy to the
absence of the beloved dead command
ers, spoke regretfully of the enforced alb
sence of President Harrison, paving trib-
ute TO him as soldier and a President,
and introduced Nice-President Morton,
having first read the Presidents tele-
gram of regret at his absence.
Morton then delivered the formal dedi-
cation 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 him
grace in this hour of need, he who had
lately been standing at the gates of the
nation TO challenge the entrance of the |
enemy that must be confront
ed at the outposts." Turning to the mat
ter directly in hand, the speaker con-
tinued: Il see before me the survivors
of the generation of men who have en-
the pages of history and |
freedom for all time to come. Who have |
set an example for Republican France,
for united Germany, for reconstructed |
Italy, and who have broadened and deep |
ened the foundations of the English Con- !
and of Anglo-Saxon liberty. OIL
this great army of liberty, whether they |
have passed away or are still present for |
duty, you are honored representatives |
The President would speak to you as a !
comrade. 1t is for me to greet you in be- |
half OF the business interests affecting the |
welfare of the whole people, in behalf of |
trade and commerce, of the husbandman. |
and the artisan, the employer and the |
in behalf of all men and women, |
from every section, who love the Union, |
and l bid you welcome in behalf OF the |
President and his Cabinet advisors. in /
behalf of the Congress of the United |
States and the National judiciary, adj !
collectively tho Government |
you have secured. and in behalf of |
whole people made illustrious by your |
heroism and that of your adversaries. |
now your friends. | greet you in behalf /
Of the stalwart North and loyal South, of |
the sun-illumined East and commanding /
w Under the shadows of the Capitol |
you have preserved in this beautiful city.
founded by Washington, made sacred by |
The services and sacrifices of Lincoln and |
in full view of Virginia, the birth
place of Presidents, the burial-place of |
heroes. In the order of time this may or
may not be your last grand review, but /
express the hope of a grateful people !
hat Heaven will bounteously lengthen /
put our lives before you are called to the
other shore to rejoin the ranks OF your
And now, my countrymen, in behalf |
Of the whole American people, dedicate
this Grand Army Place and the COM
memorials which it is be-
Iieved is TO be hereafter erected upon it
TO the everlasting glories of the Grand
Army of the Republic. God bless you
al, and those who to-day unite with you
in strengthening the union of the great
Republic
After Mr.. Morton there were very brief
speeches by Secretary Noble,
Miller, Acting-Secre- /