Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-05-01
GRANT MONUMENT.

landed on shore to stand and receive
the head of the land column. Then
bands began playing on land and
water, children singing and youths
shouting, while hosts hurried to the
route of the parade or to Riverside
park.
Vast crowds had arrived at the tomb
as early as eight o'clock and all who
We're fortunate enough to possess tick
cts emitting them to seats stands
took their places in the gaily-decl1ed
structures and prepared for the long
wait that was to ensue before the ar
rival of the notables and military
pageant. The warships and other YES
sells which lay at anchor in the river,
An sight of the tomb, claimed the at
tention of the crowd. All of these yes
sells made a magnificent showing in
their gala attire, with rainbows of
bunting from bow to stern
The arrival of the official portion of
the procession at the tomb was the
signal for a stupendous outburst of
patriotic cheering from the SO, 900 peo-
pie. The president and other guests
salighted from their carriages at the
monument stands and took the places
assigned to them in readiness for the
soratorical and musical ceremonies at
1880 o'clock.
The Sons of Confederate veterans,
who We're to have arrived at the tomb
at $50 o'clock and place floral wreath
with crossed swords upon the sarcopha-
gus, We're an hour late. The tokens
Were reverentiy laid on the sarcoph-
.agus by Gen. ]. B. Gordon, while his
comrades stood by with uncovered
heads.
AS the carriages containing the dis
-tinguished party passed between the
walls of people on the roadway the air
resounded with cheers. The president
acknowledged this by smiling and
Blowing. At 11:O4 o'clock President
Mckinley entered the speakers stand
and was followed by the others who
were to participate in the ceremonies.
The president, with barred head, leaned
on the arm of Mayor Strong, who kept
his hat on. The president was loudly
-cheered, as was also ex-President Cleve-
land, who appeared with ex-Secretary
Tracey.
The exercises commenced with the
singing of America" A solemn silence
then fell on the dense crowd as the
venerable Bishop John P. Newman in
volled the blessings of Heaven upon
the ceremonies. A mighty cheer arose
as President Mckinley moved to the
speakers stand to deliver his address
He was introduced by Mayor Strong.
AS the president removed his hat, cries
came from all sides: PUT on your
hat; We'll excuse you" The president,
however, stood with barred head, de-
spite the nipping wind that swept
across the exposed stand, and delivered
his address as follows:
Fellow-Citizens: a great life, dedicated to
the welfare of the nation, here finds its earthly
coronation. Even if this day lacked the i'm
press1veness OF the ceremony and devoid
of pageantry it would still be memorable be-
cause it is the anniversary of the birth OF one OF
the most famous and best beloved of American
e soldiers Architecture has paid high tribute to
the leaders of mankind, but never was me-
mortal more worthily bestowed more CRATE
fully accepted by free people than the beau
tiful structure before which gathered
In marking the successful completion of this
work we have as witnesses and participants
, representatives OF all branches of our govern
ment the resident off1cials of foreign nations,
: the governors of states and the sovereign peo-
pie from every section of our common country,
who join in this august tribute to the soldier.
patriot and citizen. Almost IL years have
passed since the heroic vigil ended and the