Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19


tKM SH1tsRA~ first time that the
~SNy<<NcSa capital has warmly
der. Of the Union When in those anxious
April days of incipient war Pennsylvania for
the east with rartiy armed militia, and Min
nesota for the west with a company
Of regulars fastened to reinforce the District
volunteers in defense Of the nations city, all
Of loyal Washington gave hearty and grateful
greeting to friends in need. When only day
later the volunteers Of the sixth Massachusetts
regiment. thoroughly organized and well
equipped, forced their way with bloodshed
through riOtous Baltimore and entered the city
with the marks of conflict in behalf of the cap
ital still upon them, that enthusiastic welcome
was REP Ieated and redoubled And when after
. week Of suspense and mortal apprehension
the capital saw the seventh New York regiment
with glittering bayonets and flying flags march
up Pennsylvania avenue to the inspiring sound
of martial music ii saluted these fine soldiers
as the forerunners and representatives Of the
nation already in arms in its defense. Anxiety
was swept away in an instant BY this conclu-
sive manifestation Of the peoples infe1ible
mandate: The Union and the Union s city must
and shall be preserved And the cheering Of
thousands, wild with JOY. gave Inadequate ex-
preston TO the heartfelt welcome with which
Washington greeted this advance guard from
the vast army Of its volunteer defenders The
scene was repeated when in 1854 Early threat
sned feebly-defended Washington, and Gen.
Wright with two divisions Of the sixth corps hast
ened in the very nick Of time from the Potomac
through the city to the relief of the menaced
fortifcations in the northern suburbs And
when ut the close Of the war the Army OF the
Potomac and Shermanis army Of the west
marched in grand review on successive days up
Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, through
their deeds the assured capital OF q united re-
public, saluted these heroes with waving flags
and patriotic songs and enthusiastic cheering,
and covered with garlands Of flowers many
participants in the great procession
Now the soldiers Of the Union again tread in
martial array the streets Of the capital and again
Washington greets them with a welcome feebly
and inadequateiy expressed in decorations, in
hluminatIons. in music. in varied and hearty
hospitality-a welcome which contains within
itself the aggregated warmth and enthusiasm
and gratitude Of all these greetings Of the past.
As il gladly hailed its soldier visitors in detach
ments during the war. so now it rejoices to re-
eeive them in the mass through their represen-
tatives of the Grand Army. Protector and
protected after the lapse Of nearly thirty years
salute each other, and naturally the handshak-
ing Is hearty, the welcome a royal one.
II is not alone. however, a natural gratitude
for services rendered at the time of the war
which causes Washington to be keenly appreci-
alive OF its present visitors. The soldiers did
more than defend and preserve the capital For
this very labor Of protection aroused n national
fnteres; in and regard for the thing protected.
that had been hitherto lacking. The capital was
not only saved, but since the war and through
the wars influence it has been fostered and de-
veiored and made in appearance a seat of gov
srnment worthy of the nation.
Wha; the people fought for and defended the
people came 10 love. and from this affection
grew the determination TO permit the capital
70 remain 10 longer n national humiliation but
70 cause 10 become instead a source Of national
pride Washington gree:s the Grand Army
with double gratitude as its physical preserver
against armed forces. and as the representative
OF tha; PATRIOTS national sentiment, revived
and n0uTi,hed by the war. upon which the pros
perlty and even the very existence Of the CAP
i,al largely depend
The veterans In their turn have reason to re-
visit with lively emotions the capital which thew
defended and to respoad feelingly to the city's
greeting Washington was the focal -oint Of
the struggle. In the chess game of civil war
The capital Wa the Union kIng. often checked,
but never eheckma:ed, threatened again and
again by the e1emys queen. the fine ARMY OF
Northern Virginia under Lee. disturbed bv the
demonstrations and ACHE yemeu:s of the adver-
sary : Presbyterian bishop. Stone vail Jackson.
and mos: seriously menaCcl by the eccent.i.
and raTId movements OF the enecly's cavalry
knight. The soldier takes ia the ca-itaI the
Eaiursi interest IN that for VII ch he has fought
upon which has anxious thoughts have conferred
Here. too, are indisiJlIl associations Here
thousa12s were converted from raw re-
eruits into soldiers. and camp and drill
ground are 10 be eagerly revisited
Here thousands lag wounded in the
hospitals, and the sites Of these structures are
clothed for MANY with sad but abiding associa-
tions. Here Is he spot il the Capitol bailding
where one spread his blanket: here is ali tha:
remains Of the old fort m which many days full
Of pleasant and thrilling memories we're spent:
here is the house which opened wide its hospi,-
able doors 20 another when detected. weary.
foot sore and rain-drenehed he dragged himself
through the streets Of Washington after the
Bnll Run disaster. and here Is the magnificent
avenue up which he marched amid the cheering
Of tho people with troops to bea; of the enemy
FROM threa,e1ed Washington. or with $50. coo
comrades in the joy and pride OF laal victory
In the grand review. Here in the War Depart
men, and the museums are trophies and relics
Of the war; here are monuments TO a number OF
the old commanders. aud here, full OF mournfu,
interest arc the buildings associt ed with the
sassina,ion Of the martyred President eene teries
containing thousands Of the sclGier dead and
the tOuibs Of such leaders as Sheridan and Logan.
In resi-iting the sites OK the extensive and
costly fortfcaiions which were constructed about
Washington the veteran will fad that the in
faeneos Of poaee have almost entirely conquered
the formidable armament Of war. The rain and
the wind have e-umbled the threatening FILES
q saxtA, nature has tarown over the signs Of