St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-02
PICTURE OF pap"
Formal Presentation to the
State Of a Life-Size Por-
trait
OF GEN. GEORGE H. THOMAS.
IN
Gen. r. w. Johnson Makes the
Presentation Speech in
the House. GER
bnf
COMMANDER LAWLER TALKS
1ls.9
Legislators Receive the Gift
neutrality-suspicious.
to Gen. Mason. \
COMMANDER LAWLER TALKS

A most enjoyable campfire was
held in the house yesterday morn
ing from IL to II. The occasion was
the formal presentation of the life
size portrait of Gen. Thomas to the
state of Minnesota. House and SEN
ate convened in joint session at the
hour named, and Gen. r. w. john
son made the presentation speech.
He said that several years ago the
Veterans association had ordered
the portrait made to be presented to
the house of representatives but for
some unknown reason the formal
transfer had never been made. In
reviewing the life of Thomas Gen.
Johnson paid high tribute to the
military genius and achievements
of the ''Rock of Chickamauga." He
expressed the fervent hope that the
portrait of the hero would have the
effect of stimulating not only the
legislators, but the rising genera
ton also, to emulate his sturdy vir-
tues and cherish his patriotic eX-
ample.
Lieut.. Gov. Day was called on to
accept the portrait on behalf of the
state. He did so in few expressive
sentences, and in turn requested
Senator Stevens to respond for the
senate. Hiram F. Stevens never
fails to do full justice to any SUBJ
ject, and his brief address was
gem of pithy word-painting. He al
luded to Gen. Thomas as a hero of
the West, a typical man, whose no.
BILE traits of character furnish
worthy example to all patriotic cit
liens. AS Thomas stood like a rock
between the hordes of disunion and
freedom and the flag, said the Sena-
tor, 50 does the Grand Army of tho
Republic stand between the hosts OF
anarchy and disorder to defend tho
blessings of peace and liberty.
Representative Robbins, who par.
tlc1pated in the battle of Nashville
and other engagements where Thomas
commanded, said his heart was moved
and his memory stirred by the words
spoken. Hero worship he regarded as
natural and commendable, unless hui
man nature is constructed on lines en-
tirely wrong. He bore eloquent testi-
mon to the esteem and affection in
which Thomas was held by the rank
and file, and to the feelings of conf.
dence his men had in his ability and
judgment. ~
Senators Morgan and Wyman each:
made happy and feeling response to
calls. Both expressed the hope and
belief that the virtues and, deeds of
Gen. Thomas would be an inspiration:
to generations yet to come. r,
Representatives Gibbs and Johns
spoke for the house in earnest and
patriotic words, and Speaker Van SAINT
voiced the thanks of the members ito
the participants in the days exer-
cises, at the same time eulogizing Gen..
Johnson and the survivors of the
Union armies.
Commander-in-Chie Lawler. who
occupied a seat under the speaker
very effective little talk. He spoke of
Gen. Thomas as the embodiment of
loyalty and patriotism, casting his lot
with the Union and the old flag when
his messmates, Albert Sidney john
ston and Robert e. Lee, went into re-
bellion with their state. From the
'''e'iidpoiiiI VI TIC dlih diiu iie, IHoiilaS
was the model soldier and brave man,
who discharged every duty of his po-
sition honorably and well, and whose
name will stand as high as that Of
any commander of the Union armies.
Gen. Lawler thanked the legislature
of Minnesota for what they had done
for the old veterans. and closed his
address by reciting Longfellow's Ship
of State in very inspiring manner.
Not the least enjoyable feature of the
occasion was the singing of Col. Roper,
of Illinois, formerly member of the
staff of Gen. Thomas. The veteran
rendered the songs "Illinoy" and
Taps" in way that brought tears
to MANY ewes