Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-09-22
THE GRAND OPENING.

| Preliminary Work OF the National En-
cnmpment OF the GRAND Army OF the
Republic Regrets From President Har-
rison.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, Yesterday the
Grand Army OF the Republic, formed
twenty-six years ago in Illinois by vet
Grams Of the late war began the first
national reunion since the grand one
ut the close of the rebellion For days
the comrades have been gathering from
every part of the United States. Great
cities, small towns, little hamlets and
solitary farm houses have sent their
quotas and the result Is an attendance
that no man can closely estimate, and
one certainly surprising any ever be-
fore seen in Washington
The vast barracks erected In Garfield
park southeast OF the capitol, and those
Just south of the reunion grounds
known as camp Alger, were filled by
thousands of veterans, and in addition
the many handsome public school build
ings were turned INTO temporary lodg-
ings for as many of the veterans az
could lie side by side All Of these
quarters were furnished free of cost by
the clLlLtllh OF W ANnllk Ton.
The feature OF the day was the inau-
guration and dedication Of Grand Army
place, as It is called, which is known as
the White lot, just south of the grounds
OF the executive mansion, n magnificent
lawn, comprising many acres, covered
with well kept green sod and unbrolxen
by single tree or bush
The Inauguration of Grand Army
place was preceded by parade of a
considerable portion Of the Grand Army
men, the regular soldiers, sailors and
marines stationed in Washington and
the District of Columbia national
guards, which ranks high among the
military organizations of the country.
The procession consisted of five brig
AIDES, commanded by Gen. Eugene A.
Carrusa, as follows: Troop of the regu-
lar army, naval batteries and marines,
District national guard, posts of the de-
partment Of the Potomac, g. a. r. and
Sons of Veterans. The procession start
ed at 10 o'clock from Second street west
OF the capitol and proceeded up Penn
sylvania avenue to stand in front OF
the treasury, where it was reviewed by
Vice President Morton. The main
body OF the procession continued on its
way to Grand Army place, the cavalry
contingent remaining behind to form
an escort for the vice president
The formal opening OF the exercises
OF the week opened with the dedica-
tion of Grand Army place by Vice
President Morton and The reading Of
the following dispatch from President
Harrison:
Loon LAKE N. Y, Sept is-Gen. John
Palmer, commanderin-chief G.. r.: ] had
looked forward with much interest to the great
rehearsal IN Washington next Tuesda7 OF The
yictors march Of 1854 l would have esteemed
II one o. the highest honors Of my public life
TO have attended st the national capitol aud TO
have received on It's historic avenue this repre-
sentative assembly Of tho men who not only
saved the city from threatened destruction,
but made II the worthy political capital
OF an unbroken union II would have been one
OF the most interesting incidents Of my ife to
have taken these vctors by the hand, but this
is prevented By q sad duty, and ! can only ask
=; ~ ~ @4 -; e,s5,..-s rs7. sings ,...1 TsceA
wishes Accept my sincere thanks for your
very kind and sympathetic message
BENJANiN HARRISON
Rev. D. Paine, Of Florida, chaplain
in-chief, of the G. 4. r.. offered prayer.
making u special plea for the restora-
tion to health Of Mrs. Harrison. The
Red, White and Blue" was played by
the Marine band and then Commissions
u. W. Douglass, Of the District OF Co
lumbia spoke and Comnander-in-Ch
Palmer delivered the Introductory adj
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