Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-31
The Mnnnmnnt INVALID.

The Monument Unveiled.
Tho parade preceding the unveillng OF
the Soldiers and Sailors monument yes
terday was almost equal TO that We had
-four years ago at tho time Of the dedicd-
lion OF the monument 70 G neral Lee.
1.-THE chlldrens brigade was particu-
Darly fine feature Of Il. and though there
were many cheers along the line for
afts Lee. O'Fcrrall Daniel, and other
distinguished men, these young people I'M
noubtedly carried of the hoEors OF the
hay IN the way Of applause. 1t was
hecreed that the formation which their
line should assume should be the shape
Df the southern cross, and at times this
plan was adhered 10; but for the most
part the enthusiasm Of the boys and girls
butstripped their reverence for military
authority. and they marched as they
ploasod-all the time cheering loudly and
waving their banners eXultingly.
The number OF veterans and volunteers
IN line exceeded all expectations, ana their
marching was good and their appearance
hne. Tho two cadet battaliOns, as was
Expected, attracted great attention. The
precision Of their movements and the fine
bearing OF officers ana men was highly
tredltIblc The cadets are very near
10 the hearts Of our T"ople, and no end
Of nice things was said about them yes
lerday.
As 10 the crowd Of people on the
directs. there are many who contend that
Il was as large as any ever seen in Rich
tnond. IL Is hard 10 determine positively
h question OF this character. especially
shcn We remember that yesterdays was
D new route Of march. At any rate, we
may safely declare that yesterdays
crowd was an exceedingly large one; also
a. well pleased one, 80 fur as the parade
Ras concerned.
From carly morning until the time when
the head Of the procession .Leached the
srand-stand the weather VIZ good; no
thing better could have been wished, as
lho temperature was agreeable and the
eun was obsCurcd by clouds. which condi-
lions contributed very much 20 the com
fort Of the men ana children On their long
,narch to Libby I'm. But alas. no sooner
had the speakers stand been reached,
shan rain began 10 fall. AMI 1t so con-
tinued until the figure was unveiled. For
lhe most Of the time the rain came down
gently. hut now and then heavy showers
interviewed The crowd, however stood
their ground quite well. To be sure. many
persons sought cover in the noighbOring
residences. whore great hospitality was
Extended, but thousands Of others, with
aheir umbrellas raised, gathered close 10
Abe stand and yalianuy held their posi-
lions to the end The veterans and vol
untcers, however suffered no little dis
pomAture, as they were unprovided with
umbrellas and did not care 10 20 on re-
rord as retreatIng from so uncomfortable
nn enemy as n May-day rain.
MIR. II. c. Richardson. president OF the
monument association. presided with
ability and modesty.
The programme WAS carried out as
arranged. There was n prayer by Or.
Aoge. which was n poem In prose ser
mon. and an entreaty. Mr.. Gordon read
his poem written for the occasion, IN
which he sang the praise OF our Confede-
rate I'm noble verse. Then Rev. MIR. Cave,
Of 81. Louis, made the address Of the
occasion. This production. though de-
lvered under the unfavorable circum-
stances mentioned. impressed those who
heard Il as an argument Of great power
ps explaining the position Of the South in
Dts struggle FOR independence. 1t was full
= 90 NVt. 81 h.. 81
history. and TO all OF our people. and
while bristlIng with evidence and argu,
ment was also notable for its lofty sonti-
fnents and elegant sentences,
just as the veil was about 20 be torn
from the bronze figure the clouds had
pity on the multitude ana the fall OF rain
greatly diminished. And this was the
polnt IN the proceedings when the en-
thusiasm OF the people found mightlcst
expression. As the canvas fclI, uncover
tng the bronze soldier. the artillery fired
p salute and the infantry delivered sevc-
gal rounds OF musketry. aimed towards
The river while the people exhausted
their lungs in shouts. Altogether the
kocne was one which imprinted itsclI
pleasantly upon the mind OF nearly every
pne present. The discomfort OF the lonl
wait I'm the rain was forgotten in thnt
supreme moment. when the soldier steppe,
from his tent, as It were. and stooJ
before the thousands, all Of whom a.
bnce recognized him as a typical Confedc
rate-the exact representation of the fin,
young fellows who won commissions fol
20 many generals. and who TO The last Dor,
themselves with the quiet dignity OF N,
true heroes that they were.
Few minutes after the figure was un
yelled down the rain came in more furi
pns showers than ever. These shpwer1
utterly dispersed thNcrowd, which. unde
more favorable circumstances, wuul,
hsve been delighted TO llngcr on the hi
ha catch the expression OF the soldier.
lace Us II was lighted by the setting sun
we rear tbs column TO tell to comlns
hEes our love for the private soldier whC
tel In defence Of constitutional libert,
ph the land. and for tho gallant sailor
"ho fnged his countrys nag with glory
IN the sea" was the concrete form IN
which DIR. licge put the idea which IN,
monument represents, the work WHEREOF
WAS finished yesterday.
---1-.-s.--.e----=-
Look on This Picture.
1hat excellent Republican Journal. the
fhiiaaelphla Telegraph, endorses the cur,
fency speech or the DemocsatIc charm a y