The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-20
BESIDE THE POTOMAC.
Campfires of the Grand Army
Lighted at Washington City.
BIG ATTENDANCE OF VETERANS.
Old Soldiers March Again Through
On the Way TO the Bsttlenelds.

StfoOto " 0lcn OAC0 BEFORE xney AtOQ
On the Way TO the Battleneids.
WARRINGTON CITY, Sept 1o.-Twenty six
years ago the loyal organization known a. the
Grand Army OF the Republic was formed with
B. F. Stephenson, OF Illinois, a. the first COM
mander. Since then yearly the men who
fought to preserve the Union have met In re-
union. but never in this city since the close OF
the war of the rebellion till today. For days
grizzled comrades have been gathering from
every part of the union. until the attendance
surpasses anything ever before seen in this city.
All the hotels, tented camps, schoolhouses aud
large number of private residences have been
thrown open TO them, and are crowded with the
men who defended the capital against invasion
In the dark days of fraternal strife.
Every available resource has been drawn
on, ana In spite of the vast throng
everybody has been cared, for sheltered and fed.
As the hours of night wore on and the hustle
ana stir which characterized the day and even
ing subsidized, the statement "All quiet on the
Potomac" became as true a. in the days when
some of these same patriots slept on their arms
under the sky on the banks Of the historical
river.
Today broke bright and pleasant, and a. tn
sun mounted in the East genial warmth was
dihused, like that OF early autumn or belated
summer. 1t was just the day for going and en-
toying life outdoorA The camps were astir
attended to, the visitors were ready to enjoy the
day. The decorations in this city were elabor-
ate and tasteful throug bout, but historic Penn
sylvania avenue, from the capitol building to
Twenty-second street, along which the Union
armies marched with service-worn uniforms
and battie-scarred flags at the close OF the war,
was particularly brilliant
n hYIi tyad iol TN IL
regard. and the White House and treasury de-
partment were conspicuously beautiful and
elaborate The features of the day were the
Inauguration and dedication of Grand Army
place, % IL Is called. It 10 magnificent stretch
OF green sward lying just south of the
White House grounda On this, by an arrange
ment of tents and stands, had been laid out q
reproduction OF the closing campaign OF the
war, with Richmond in the center, surrounded
by groups of tents representing the various
army corps which assisted to wind up the war.
prominent feature of the grounds is a model
OF the old war vessel ksarsarge. Some por-
lions OF the original vessel, such a. the rudder
post, portfolios and dead lights. being
from the old vessel itself The dedication
OF Grand Army place was preceded by
parade OF the members of the regular army
and navy, and was OF special interest to the
veterans, affording an opportunity to contrast
the arms and accoutrements now in use with
those carried during the late war.
The procession consisted of Eve brigades.
including troops of tho regular army,
naval batteries and marines. the district
National guard. the posts Of the Department of
the Potomac, q. A. R., and Sons of Veterans
The procession marched from Second street up
Pennsylvania avenue to the Treasury building,
where It was reviewed by Vice President Nor.
ton, aud thence to Grand Army place.
After the parade Vice President Morton was
escorted to Grand Army place. was received
with salute from the guns OF the Kearsarge
and took his place on the stand beside Com
mander-in- Chief Palmer Prayer was offered
by Chaplsin-in-Chief Payne, of Florida Then
Gen. Palmer delivered the Introductory address
He dwelt on the glorious record of the Union
armies, referred feelingy to the absence of be-
loved dead commanders, spoke regretfully of
the enforced absence Of President Harrison,
paying tribute to him - q soldier and presi-
dent, and introduced Vice President Morton,
having first read the presidents telegram OF re-
greet at his absence, which was az follows:
LOON LAKE. N, Y. Sept 19.-To Gen John Pal
ner, Con,maader- In Chief g. A. r.: had looked
forward with much interest to the great
rehearsal in Washington City next Tues
would have esteemed IL one OF the highest
honors OF my public life to have welcomed
to the national capital and to have re-
sentative assembly OF men who not only saved
the city from threatened destruction, but made
it the worthy political capital of an unbroken
Union. 1t would also nave been one OF the post
favored and tender incidents of my private life
to have taken these comrades again by the hand,
but all this has been denied me by the inter-
vention of a sad and imperative duty, and can
only ask you to give to all my cordial greetings
and good wishes Accept my sincere thanks for
your very kind and sympathetic message.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Vice President Morton then delivered the
formal dedication address The speaker referred
in sympathetic terms to the domestic reasons
which caused the absence Of President Harrison,
and prayed God to give grace in the hour of
need to him who had "lately been standing at
the gates Of the nation to challenge the entrance
of an implacable enemy that must be confronted
at the outposts." The speaker then continued:
see before me the survivors of q generation
tory and freedom for all time to come; who
have set an example for republican France, for
united Germany. for reconstructsd Italy, and
tions of the English Constitution and
army 81 liberty. whether they have
d%y are the
The president would speak to you as q COM
rade. 1t is for me to greet yoH In behalf of tho
whole people; In behalf of trade and commerce.
of the husbandman and the artisan, of the en-
ployer and the employed; in behalf
oil al men anu women rom every Sec
ton who love the Union. bid you
welcome on behalf of the president and his
cabinet advisers, on behalf OF the congress of
the United States and the national judiciary
administering collectively the government you
have secured. and on behalf of the whole people
made iliustrious by your heroism and tina. of
your gdyersaries, now your friends. I greet
You on behalf OF q stnlyart North and
a loyal South: of a sun illuminated East and a
commanding West. under the shadows OF the
capitol you have preserved, in this beautiful
nil Ard hv t.yfn and
by the services and sacrifices of Lincoln and in
full view of Virginia. the birthplace OF prssi-
dents and the burial place of heroes In the
order of time, this may or may not be
your last grand review, but / express the
hope of grateful people that heaven
viii bounteously lengthen out your lives before
you are called to the other shore TO Join the
ranks OF your companions. Aud now my conn
trymen, on behalf of the whole American peo-
pie, dedicate this Grand Army place aud the
commemorative memorials which, it is be-
everlasting glory OF the Grand Army of the Re-
public. God bless you all and those who TODAY
unite with You in strengthening the union OF
this great republic.
After Morton there were brief informal
speeches by Secretary Noble, Attorney General
Miller. Acting Secretary OF War Grant Gen.
Sehoheid and Gen. J. h. Keller.
Tie fight for the honor of entertaining the
G.. A. X. year henee has begun. Indianapolis
was frs. IN the field aud is pushing ,ae case
vigorously, but Lincoln. Neb, has began to urge
It's claims Thus far these are the Only cities
suggested for the encampmsnt
Four active candidates are in the field for