The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-19
Ceremonies Preliminary to
the Opening of the
Park.
MKINLEY's ELOQUENT WORDS
Recounts in PatriC tic A idreSS
the Bravery of the Old
Time Foes.


quarter-centennial reunion of the Society
of the Army of the cumberland, meeting
in injunction with the dedication of the
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National
Park, was held tonight in the monster
tent erected on the battlefield to accommo-
date the several gatherings of the week,
which convenience required should be in
the city. Its ample folds covered con-
course of about 10000 people, 2OOO of whom
were on the stage. This portion of the
gathering comprised public, National and
State officials and survivors of the late war
from both armies to an extent seldom if
ever eaualed. Vice President Stevenson
and ex-Speaker Charles f. Crisp one the
second, the other formerly the third officer
of the Government, headed delegation of
score or more of Senators and Represen-
tatives, the appointment of which was au-
thorized by Congress at its last session in
connection with the legislation providing
for this National celebration. Four men,
bers of the Cabinet represented the ad-
rninistration. The Governors of nearly
score of States with their gayly attired
staffs. added to the military character of
the occasion. Lieutenant-General Scho-
field, commanding the armies of the
OulVu OtdtcS, saw LIS Olu COLlIdueS III
arms and many of his former antagonists
for the last time prior to his retirement
from active service. Great leaders of the
Union army were present in the persons of
their sons, Colonel Fred D. Grant and Rev.
Father Thomas E. Sherman.
1t was an historic assemblage and gave
as key to the orator of the occasion new
era in the history of the country. Rresd-
ing over it in the absence of the aged
president of the society, General w. s.
Rosecrans, who seeks the breezes of the
Pacific Coast to strengthen his declining
days, was the even more venerable Gen.
/, eral J. D. Morgan of Quincy, ILL.,, the hero
of three wars. He called the vast assembly
to order and the proceedings were begun
] by the singing of patriotic hymn by the
Arion, Glee Club. Hon. George w. Ochs,
Mayor of the city, then welcomed the So
| ciety to Chattanooga.
Representing the loyal, liberty-loving, brave
! city of Chattanooga, greet you tonight with
open arms and extend to one and all hearty,
honest welcome. We fling open our gates to
the distinguished statesmen, renowned SOL
diers and patriotic Americans who have con-
vened here on this sacred mission, and pledge
for this city, State and for all the people of the
South hearty cooperation in the task you
| have undertaken, and sincere sympathy with
I the motives that inspire it. In the name of
the people l represent l welcome you. We
welcome you with hearts throbbing with
patriotic love for this whole country with
every vestige of war and it's animosity wiped
| from our memory. We welcome you in the
assurance that our country is to be made
stronger and greater by universal amity and
| fraternity. We welcome you as representa-
tive Americans, convoked under the sanction
/ @hr@-, -
| States Government to perform work possible
| in no other country upon this globe-to con-
| sign to its eternal sepulcher the last memory
| of eternal hostility, and to consecrate and re-
dedicate to succeeding generations the imper-
| ishable glory of our arms.
! The present meeting of the Society of the
Army of the Cumberland is an event of Ma
tional Importance, and will arrest the atten-
| tion of the entire civilized world No other
Government upon earth could conduct such
ceremony as you are now engaged in. No
| where else upon this habitable globe, except
beneath the stars and stripes, could there be
witnessed such an inspiring spectacle-a re-
united nation, torn asunder less than gener-
alton ago by the rude. red hand of civil war,
| now commemorating the fiercest, bloodiest and
| most desperate battles OF that struggle in an
everlasting memorial to the achievements,
not of one, but of both the contending hosts.
The city of Chattanooga is indeed proud that
history will again be emblazoned with its re-
nown as the scene of its apotheosis of reunited
country, arched by that bow of promise which
bends over these sanguinary plains, token
proclaiming that civil discord is forever at an
end, and that sectional strife has been en-
quilted in that vortex of revolution beyond the
hope of resurrection; that our nation is now in
spirit, as well as in law, an indestructible
union of indissoluble States.
We ungrudgingly offer our homes, we open
wide our doors and we clasp you to our hearts
in earnest welcome. May these days be fruit
full of new birth OF patriotism and brighter
luster to our glorious history, and a further adj
vance in the unparalleled growth of our be-
loved country.
In responding to this honor General II.
". Boynton, corresponding secretary OF
the society and a member of the National
Park Commission, expressed thanks for
the cordial welcome, the beauty of its
language, strength of its friendship and
fervor of its patriotism. General James d.
Morgan welcomed the Confederates pres
ent, saying:
Comrades: Old Fatne Rhine, in his progress
For additional Pacific Coast netcs see Puges2 and s.