Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-09-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.

EcIAL CORRESPONDENTS or rHn MONITOR

anu OlItI WAT SONGS are
heard on all sides, as some visiting or
local post of the G. A. r. marches
past, the band playing and banners
waving.
The 26th National Encampment is
success OF colossal proportions,
both in point of attendance, which far
exceeds that of any previous ecnamp-
ment and which will probably never
be SO great at any similar event i'm the
future, and of enthusiastic welcome TO
the veterans, a welcome shown not
only by the elaborate and beautiful
decorations of streets and residences
but by the faces of the people, Those
who have slandered Washington by
saying that her people were selfish
and unpatriotic should forever more
hang their headsin shame. Why even
babies in the arms of their nurses
crow periodically and wave tiny flags,
along the streets, and it is next TO inn
possible to find man, woman or child
who does not carry some where on
their person our country's dag.
The first prominent feature of the
encampment was the dedication of
Grand Army Place this afternoon.
The ceremonies were preceded by
brilliant street parade, made up of
United States regular troops-artil-
lery, cavalry and infantry, sailors,
marines, the entire National Guard of
the District of Columbia, and the de-
partment of the Potomac G.. A. r..
which was greatly enjoyed by the Wis
iting veterans who were conspicuous
in the crowds that packed the sides
of the line of march. The dedicatory
ceremonies were successfully carried
out according to the original program,
vice president Morton having very
kindly agreed to take the Presidents
place. The scene will not soon be
forgotten by those who witnessed IT,
Away in the back ground, looking
to the southwest, the yellow, pillared
portico of the historic Arlington Man
sion presenting a strong contrast to
the green foliage by which IL in sur
rounded, and none who looked for
got that it was also surrounded by the
remains of thousands of comrades
who had fought by the sides of the
veterans TO day assembled in a grand
reunion-who can say that the spirits
of the veterans buried at Arlington
are not also holding a reunion this
week., Looking directly south the
slender grey shaft of the Washington
Monument, extending Ave hundred
fifty FIVE feet skyward challenges the
admiration of the beholder, while to
the east looms up the immense white
dome of the Capital, unsurpassed i'm
grandeur and artistic symmetry any
public building on earth. Within a
stones throw stands a miniature
Washington Monument, probably a
hundred feet high, wrapped from it's
base to it's summit, from which ex-
tends flag pole proudly supporting
"old glory'', in red, white and blue,
and beautiful model of the good
ship Kearsage, full size and full rig
ged, and partly manned by survivors
OF the crew which took part in it's
engagement. with the pri-
vateer Alabama, which IL sank, as
you probably remember. Directly
north stands the White House, which
reminds the vets of the trouble, caus-
ed by Mrs. Harrison's sickness, that
has prevented the President joining
his comrades, as he had arranged TO
do; and just west of the, Executive
Mansion stands the handsomest pub
lie edifice in Washington-the new
State. War and Navy Department
building. Gould more appropriate
spot have been chosen for the re-
union grounds, or one where more
hat is dear to, the old soldiers heart
could have been seen at a glance2
At this encampment is the first
time that one place for holding all the
reunions, corps, division, brigade and
has been selected and the
visitors are loud in their praise OF the
by which they can so
easily meet with those who served
with them in the war.
The ladies' reception held I'm the ro-
;unda of the Capitol tonight, which
vas conceived by Mrs. John A. Lo-
ran, was one of the largest, most
brilliant and at the same time enioya-
BE affairs Of the kind ever held I'm
where receptions are
common events. The arrangements
we're so perfect that thousands pass