The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1896-05-16

MONUMENT UNVEILED TO THE
HERO OF GETTYSBURG.
Imposing Military Display and Adj
dresses by the President and
Senator Palmer.

Washington, May 12.-The statue to Ma
jor General Winfield Scott Hancock was
unveiled at o'clock this afternoon, and
was the occasion of an imposing military
demonstration. Inc date is the anniver-
sary of the bal,le OF Spottsylvania, Va.
when Hancock's brigade gained Its bril-
liant victory in that portion of the field
known as ''the ANGLE" The ceremonies
were simple. but impressive, duplicating
as nearly as the changed conditions al
lowed the ceremonies attending the I'M
yelling Of the statue to General Garfield III
this city May IL, 1887. They opened with
prayer and closed with benediction, an6
included an Grafton, and patriotic music
by the Marine band. The statue stands at
Seventh street and Pennsylvania avenue.
Major General John M. Palmer, senator
from the state Of Illinois, was the orator
of the day. He was distinguished vol
unteer officer during the war. Brigadler
General John r. Brooke, commanding the
military department of Dakota, with head
quarters at st. Paul, had command OF the
military escort. All the available troops
in this vicinity were ordered out, includ-
ing the artillery at Washington barracks,
the cavalry at Fort Myer, the marines
from the barracks, battalion OF sailors
from the navy yard, and the National
Guard of the District of Columbia. The
civil division was made up Of the Grand
Army of the Republic, the Union Veteran
Legion and the Society of the Second
Army Corps. A salute was fired at the
Washington barracks as the statue was
unveiled
The president, vice president the cabi-
net, the supreme court, congress and the
members of the diplomatic corps were at
the ceremonies.
senting General Hancock on the morning
OF the last day at Gettysburg, just before
he was severely wounded. The gigantic
figure sits firmly in the saddle. the steed
h slightly checked, and the whole statu9
gives the impression of reserve force. The
artist is J. H. Ellicott of this city, whose
design was chosen in a competition held
two years ago. The pedestal Is of red
granite It Is plain with the exception of
two carved Shields one at each end. The
statute cost $49, 000 1t has been erected I'M
der direction of national commission APP
pointed by congress- consisting of Score
tary of War Lamont, Senators Mills OF
Texas and Cockrell Of Missouri. The mon
ey for the monument was appropriated by
congress.
The exercises opened with prayer by
Bishop Saterlee Of Washington. Then the
principal address was delivered by Senator
John M. Palmer Of Illinois. Seven hun
dred invited friends were present, includ-
ing many relatives Of the general. The
statue stands in the heart of the business
district Of Washington. The total height
is SO feet inches. The proportions OF the
rider are such that If standing erect he
would measure 10 feet in height.
The Presidents Address.
President Cleveland made a brief ad-
dress, in which he said:
"A grateful government today pays
tribute to the memory of one Of our coun-
try's noblesr sons and best defenders.
Willingly prompted by patriotic inclina-
tien. we have assembled to witness ma
tion's appreciate of valiant deeds in time
of war and it's recognition of civic virtues
in time of peace. We give this monument
to the dead, but the dead endows our gift
with significance which makes 1t OF
priceless value to the living. It is an
open book, constantly teaching the lesson
of sincere and steadfast love CT country.
Those who look upon it's grand proper
lions in years to come will be reminded
Of such sacrifice and service as have made
our nation great and our people happy
With this monument before our eyes,
those in public station who are charged
with the peoples interests and with max
ing and execution Of their laws can hardly
forget that honest effort 10 secure the
public veal and a stern insistence at all
times upon faithful and unselfish dis
charge Of public duty in the places they
occupy are as essential to the safety and
preservation Of all that Americans hold
dear, as bravery and heroism on the field
of battle.
1.-THE perpetuity Of our popular govern
ment depending upon our fidelity to the
principles upon which it rests, the vast
interests of a confiding people, prompted
and guarded only by honesty and faith
fulness in their service. and obedience to
those national obligations which our
membership in the family of nations ex-
acts, should be sufficient to enforce upon
those trusted by their countrymen the
lessons which this moment teaches.