The National tribune., 1892-09-29
TRIBUTE. OF
WASHINGTON.
Reception and Banquet to Delegates
to the Encampment.

the entrance, courteous doorkeepers, and polite
and active attendants were provided. Admis
sion was by card, and without these no one
gained the inside of the building.
By an unfortunate misunderstanding the
daily papers mentioned that the reception was
for all Grand Army people. Because of this
hundreds of veterans and their wives went to
the building, but of necessity had to be turned
away. Many were very mad, but when it was
understood that the reception was intended
only for the members of the Encampment the
veterans gave way with good grace.
Entering the Pension Office by the door on
the south side of the building the visitors be-
held the grand stand, with a background of
blue cloth, and festooned in long ellipses of red
and white, gaiy ornamcnted with garlands OF
green nterspersed with flowers visible through
the spray and sparkle of a circular fountain
surrounded by shrubs and Towering plants.
The picture of President Harrison was i'm.
mediately opposite the entrance on the second
gallery. To the left and in the third gallery,
was the portrait of President Lincoln, with his
Cabinet around him. To the right was the
portrait of Gen. Grant, with his Cabinet.
The massive pillars supporting the Grecian
gables were in marked contrast with the slight
and airy Ionic columns in the balconies above.
All around the spacious court where the arch
openings from the graceful rows topped with
Corinthian capitals were the portraits of illus
emblems Over the tier above were inscribed
the names of 100 historic battlefelds. Drapery
of red crossed by wreaths of evergreens reached
along the length of the facade, while mammoth
plants and ferns crowned the whole over the
tops of the upper row Of columns. flood OF
electric light poured over the whole scene.
Not the least agreeable effect, and one which
appealed to the honest pride and patriotism of
the veterans, was the arrangement of the plants
and flowers which had formerly occupied boxes
on the outside OF the building in the form of
army badges of all the different corps and d.
visions. Not only was tho exact form of the
badge reproduced, but even its different colors
were represented by the variegated plants.
The Marine Band and members of the Choral
Society occupied seats on tho stand, the band
during the evening playing the Presidential
lumbia." American Hymn" Washington's
March," "Hail Columbia" and Hail to Our
Banner" while the songs of the Choral Society
included "America," Marching Through
Georgia" with the solo by Mr.. Dushane Glow
ard, "Tenting Tonight the Old Camp
Ground" Columbia the Gem of the Ocean,"
and 80 God, Preserve the Union"
vIcE-PREsIDENT MOTIONS WELCOME.
When Vice. President Norton who was es-
corted by Senator Henderson and Gen. Palmer,
appeared On the stand, the band played Hail
to the Chief" and as the applause subsidized
Hon. John w. Douglass President of the Board
of District Comm issioners introduced the
Vice President, who made the following address
of welcome:
DELEGATES TO THE EgcAMPMEyT OF THE GRAND
ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC: The pleasant duty de-
wolves upon me to extend TO you the official
representatives of the great and patriotic Order
the natural of the armies of the Republic
that during the dark no IRIS of the Nations trial
followed our glorious flag until 1t waved in triumph
in Sase. with star effaced words OF greet
ing and Of welcome.
This do on behalf OF all The citizens OF the Ma
tioDal Capital and more especially for the Exeeu-
cutve and other committees 10 the members of
which so much is due for the abundant success
that has crowned their every effort. Difficulties
arose only to be overcome, and during all the
months OF active preparation and vigorous effort
they permitted obstacle 10 block the way TO The
complete fruition of their aim 10 make the Goth
Encamp ment of the Grand Army of the Republic
one that should ever remain q cherished memory
and live in history.
The committee represent not only the citizens OF
Washington, who bavc given such generous aid and
valuable support. but the patriotic people Of the
whole land. rejoicing in n Nation saved, whose
hearts go out in appreciative love to its defenders
The wisdom of Congress deemed that the bur-
den of this entertainment should fall wholly upon
the residents of this beautiful city. They
many, all over the land who felt that the Govern
at itself should have assumed it, but the glorious
success we here enjoy proves so eonelusivey the
sel!sacrlficing patriotism OF the citizens OF Wash-
ngton that no man will hereafter dare to say that
spirit
As you and your comrades marched down the
avenue the hundreds Of thousands gathered to
witness your steady movement shouted acclaim
and rejoiced in your triumph.
Tonight l simply make feeble echo of their
welcome and hearty greeting.
GEN. PALMER's RESPONSE.
The Vice Presidents terse and vigorous re-
marks were heartily appreciated and applauded,
and Gen. Palmer stepped to the front and re.
sponded as follows:
Mr. VICE PRESIDENT COMRADES OF THE GRAND
ARMY or THE REPUBLIC, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
The committee did me great honor in again AZ
signing TO me the pleasure OF speaking for my
comrades, but after the tax TO which have been
subjected. j feel that my health and strength
scarcely equal 10 my will to YOU to do
country it deserves TO be spoken OF, or 10 give
voice 10 The emotion which must thrill every
Americans heart as he thinks of what it was. what
it is, aud what, under the providence of God, it
must be in the future. speak tonight for class
of men. more resolute in adversely, none
brave in danger, and none more magnaniinous i'll
victory. The soldier is sometimes charged with
cgotism IL is pardonable egotism. / am sure,
which causes him TO contemplate the dangers and
vcissitudes through which he passed, with so much
service TO his country May not say with so much
credit to himself? The grandest pages in
counlrys history our volunteer soldiers furnished,
traced with their guns and punctured with their
swords. They conquered as brave army IA
stood in battle array. and we respected the gal
antry of those men only those can respeo. Thorn
who teaeu their endurance anu yaiOr many
battIeields; and tonight glory in the fact that
they share in all we fought La preserve. And il
these festivals OF patriotism serve no other pur-
pose they will point out to the people OF the Ma
ton, to children, and chiidren's children,
that love of Country, that devotion 10 the Union,
that reverence for the Constitution, and the laws
which, in the future they have been in the past
must be the anchors which hold us firmly
solid, permanent, and prosperous National exist
ence. And from the time they laid aside tho
weapons OF war and resumed the peaceful voca-
tons of civil life they have been as loyal TO law and
order as citizens as they were faithful aud heroic
in the cause in which they served rs soldiers: and
the who stands ready to 81 sc his life for his
country in time of peril can safely be trusted in
time OF peace, care not to what party he may be-
long. Ia 8tB
To the citizens Of Washington. TO the committee
who have given generously OF their time and
energies l have words ut my command to K
press for my comrades their grateful appreciation
for the magniicence of this reception, and the
generous Inequalities ishowered upon all who
have visited your city on this memorable occasion.
And TO the loyal women who have so generously
aided in adding to our pleasures, and who are with
us tonight, can only say for my comrades. God
bless them all |! G-At
Looking tonight upon these National emblems
which so beautifully adOrn this building, am re-
the certificate of Nations substantial gratitude
to her sons that lghens the burdens OF their toll
aud reminds them OF Tie glory and greatness Of
their country. 'Tis said that Republics arc un-
grateful, but ingratitude is not one OF the charac
teris,ics Of the American Nation, particularly to-
ward the who, at the peril of their lives, made
IL possible that Should gather here tonight
under the folds of the Stars and Stripes, represcnt
ing Union OF Al States and prosperous people.
No country under the blue canopy oil Heaven has
of no Nation on the face of Gods green earth
where her people responded more promptly and