The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-16
ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT
BRIEF, FORCIBLE TRIBUTE TO THE
'FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY
Grafton Of the Day by William w
P0rter-Parade of Militia, Regu-
lar Soldiers and Marines.

PHILADELPHIA, Ma. 15.-Here, in the
city which first placed on his brows the
laurel crown of achievement, the memory
of George Washington, the soldier, the
statesman and the man, was honored to-
day in monumental bronze. The cord
whicH released the swaddling flags from
the figure Of the first ruler of the Republic
was drawn by its latest ruler. Surround
ing him were men in whose veins runs the
blood of those first patriots who battled
shoulder to shoulder with Washington and
with him made possible the scene enacted
to-day, d scene conceived and planned by
those very comrades in arms; executed by
their sons in peace.
The purpose of years, evolved by a
handful of warriors, to do honor TO their
chieftain and carried through crosses and
adversely by their sons and their sons sons,
was consummated. But the contamination
was beyond the brightest dreams of those
first few war-stained Americans. The
union which they formed has grown to a
mighty organization whose membership
stretches from ocean to ocean under the
name Of the Society of the Cincinnati, While
the magnifcence of the memorial it.
self reared at the gateway of the greatest
park andsi III the most intensely American
city of the land far surpassed their highest
hopes.
1t was a notable gathering. and repre-
sentative Of the country, including the
President and Vice President and the Cabi-
net officers; its defenders in the officers
and private OF the army and navy, some
Of the best blood in the direct descend
ants of the molders and makers of the
Nation. Major William Wayne, president
of the Cincinnati, who formally presented
the monument to the city, traces his line
g TO Mad Anthony" Wayne. and Will
liam w. Porter, the orator of the day, is
a grandson of David Rittenhouse Porter,
twice Governor of Pennsylvania, and a
MISREPRESENTATION of General Andrew
Porter, who was on Washington's staff in
the revolution. Thus no historic interest
was wanting to stimulate enthusiasm.
The actual unwilling ceremony was i'm
pressively simple. Bishop Whitaker open
ed with prayer and Major Wayne followed
with an appropriate address. Then came
the unveiling by President Mckinley and
the resultant clamor, augmented by the ma
tional salute of twenty-one guns by the
artillery and by the foreign and American
war vessels in the Delaware. This con-
cluded, President Mckinley spoke briefly.
The grafton was then delivered by Mr.. Por-
ter. The formal presentation of the mem
orial to the city was made by Major Wayne
to Mayor Warwick, with short addresses by
both, and then the mayor transferred it
to the Fairmount Park Commission, which
body exercises jurisdiction over the great
pleasure ground; President Mckinley and
his distinguished companions reviewed the
military parade, and the crowd, when not
looking at the troops, reviewed the Presi-
dent ana his party. The night was de-
voted to various phases Of celebration,
apart from the dinner. The wheelmen'S
ma rana with nearly pl 001 In limo vroc tha
principal feature. Nominations from the
monument, the City Hall, the Union League
and other points added to the %brilliancy
of the jubilee and closed the day in a YER
table blaze of glory.