Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-09-22
BOYS IN BLUE.
Twenty-Sixth Annual Encampment
of the Grand Army.
Opening Day OF the Reunion in the Capt.
tai City-Viee President Morton We'll
comes the Veterans-.A Bril-
liant Reception.
A PEACEFUL ARMY.


Army of the Republic was formally
opened in this city yesterday with an
attendance larger than at any pre-
vious reunion. Preliminary to the fes-
tivities of the week was the dedication
of Grand Army place, situated on the
famous white lot, just south of the
white house grounds. Vice President
Morton and Commander in Chief
Palmer were escorted to their
places on the stand after which
Comrade McElroy formally called the
assemblage to order and introduced
Rev. 5. b. Paine, d. D., of Ocean Grove
n. j., chaplain in chief, who delivered
the dedicatory prayer. Then Command
er in Chief Palmer made the introduce
tory address, in the course of which he
said
Comrades, know you will share my feel
ing of profound regret over the circums tances
which caused the absence of one whom you
would all have been delighted to see and hear,
and who had anticipated joining you in all the
festivities of the week, comrade whose gall
liant services TO the nation in the hour of peril
has been supplemented by his wise ana pa
triotic management of the affairs of this great
republic in time OF peace-Comrsde Benjamin
Harrison"
THE PRESIDENTS GREETING.
The reference TO President Harrison
was the signal for enthusiastic cheer
ing, which lasted some time. The
demonstration was a striking tribute
to the soldier-president and man. Be
fore introducing the vice president,
Gen. Palmer read telegram from
President Harrison, received from Loon
Lake in answer to one sent by him to
the president, expressing his regret
and sympathy, in which the president
said:
y looked forward with much interest 10 the
great rehearsal in Washington next Tuesday OF
the yictors march OF 1865 l would have es-
teemed ii one of the highest honOrs ofmy public
life 70 have welcomed TO the national capital
and to have received on the historic avenue
this representative assembly OF the men
who not only saved the city from threatened
destruction, but made IL the worthy political
capital of unbroken union 1t would
also have been one OF the most
favored and tender incidents of my pri-
vate life 20 have taken these comrades by
the hand again. but all this has been denied me
by the intervention OF q sad and imperative
duty and can only ask you TO give TO all my
cordial greeting aud good wishes. Accept my
sincere thanks for your very kind and sympa-
thetic message"
THE VICE PRESIDENT SPEAKS.
Vice President Morton was intro
duced and was warmly received as he
rose. Vice President Morton, after ex-
pressing his regrets that the president.
owing to the illness of his wife, was I'M
able to be present, said:
81 bid you welcome IN behalf Of the president
and his cabinet advisers. in behalf OF the CON
gress of the United States and the national
judiciary, administering collectively the gov
eminent you have secured and in behalf OF a
whole people, made illustrious by your heroism
and that OF your adversaries. now your friends
II greet you in behalf Of stalwart north and
loyal south-Of a sun-ilumined east ana
commanding west under the shadows OF the
capitol you have preserved in this beautf'l
city, founded by Washington and made sacred
ny the services and suferings of Lincoln and
full view Of Virginia the birthplace OF
presidents and the burial place of heroes.
Your march to-day and tomorrow viii re-
call 10 you, as il viii to us, the great review
when Grant ranged himself by the side Of the
president of the United States, when Mead
saluted for the veterans of the east and Sher-
man for those of the west, and when the light
that fell upon the dome Of the capitol was
hashedsbacl,ed from the sword Of sheridan
There are brilliant illustrations Of your
proves still leading your ranks or among
them, ana | wish that l could summon them all
but the cl0ries Of the battle names recall them
With vivid personality
In the order Of time this may or may not be
your last grand review, but l express the hope
u a grateful people that Heaven Will nount
ously lengthen out your lives, before yoH are
called to the other shore TO r.joiu the ranks Ut
your companions.
And row, my cOuntrymcn. ln behalf of the
whole American people, I dedicate his Grant
Army Place, ana the CONNIE WClafiyc memo