Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-05-20

the memory OF george washington, |
the soldier, the statesman was
honored to. day in monumental bronze.
1t was an allegory of war aud peace and
the scenic equipment was natures own
Ia sunlit sky above in the background
the undnlating hills of old Paramount,
10 the first flush and beauty of the
spring verdure.
AL possible pomp marked the cere-
monies The cord which released the |
swaddling flags from the figure Of the |
first ruler of the Republic was drawn |
by its latest ruler. Surrounding 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 today-a scene conceived and
planned by those very comrades-in arms,
executed by their sons in peace.
At sunrise this morning the boom OF
cannon from the batteries OF the United
States troops camped in Paramount
Park aroused the city to the greatest
day IN its history. 1t was not long after
that steady streams of people began to
flow along every by-way leading to the
Green street entrance to the park,
whore the monument stands.
The weather prophet had augured
we'll, and In spite of the heavy down.
pour OF last nigh. the day broke under
clear skies and as tho morning waned
the sun burst out brightly and cool
breeze famed the Stars and Stripes
which floated from hundreds OF build
ings. By 10 O'Clock the blue and gold
of the solidery began to miugle with the
more sober civic dress as the national
guard troops assembled at their armories
and marched to their places of forma-
tion for the parade.
The decorations Throughout the city
were lavish, but OF course, the greater
labor and attention had been devoted to
the hotels, which sheltered tho Wash
ington dignitaries. Both the Hotel Wal
ton, where the President and several
members of the cabinet were housed,
and the Lafayette. which entertained
the Vice Presidential party, we're liter
ally swathed in flags and bunting. The
archways of the vast City Hall, few
blocks away, were literally clothed in
the tri-color, and Chestnut street was
f1uttering mass of red, white and blue.
Stands we're erected all along the line
OF march.
The ceremonies proper began at noon
when the parade moved from Broad and
Spruce streets, under command of
Major. General Snowdeu. The route was
Broad to Spring Garden, and out Spring
Garden to the park, where it passed in
review before tine President. Meantime
committees from the State Society of
the Cincinnati, visited the several
hotels to convey the Presidential parties
TO tine monument over the route marched
by the troops.
Mr.. Mckinley sat down to luncheon
at 1890 O'Clock, having as guests,
Secretaries Gage and Wilson and
Postmaster General Gary. At l. Ii p.
M, the start was made from tine hotel
to the scene OF the ceremonies, nearly
three miles distant.
Meanwhile, the great parade had
been formed and marched by way Of
Broad and Spring Garden streets to the
scene of the ceremonies. 1t was ar
imposing demonstration and was
viewed by thousands all along the
line.
At THE MONUMENT.
The exercises at the monument
opened shortly after 2 o'clock, will
prayer by Bishop o. W. Whitaker o
the Episcopal diocese of Pennsylvania
An address by Major William Wayne
president of the General Society of thu
lpliO"OaI uitoi L 1851
dent Mckinley, crossing Green stree
with the monument trustees, pulle,
the cord that revealed the figure O
Washington.
This act was Immediately followed
by great shout from the assemblel
thousands mingled with salutes by tn
artillery and the booming of guns o
the warships in the river, while th
band played the inspiring strains G
Hail Columbia. -
When quiet was restored, Presden
Mckinley returned to the stand an
made brief address. He said:
Fellow Citizens: There is peculia
and tender sentiment connected wit
this memorial. 1t expresses not onl
the gratitude and reverence of th
living, but is testimonial of aifectio
and homage from the dead.
The comrades OF Washington pre-
jected this monument. Their love il
spired it. Their contributions belpe
to build it. Past and present share j
its completion, and future generation
will profit by it's lessons.
To participate in tho dedication
such monument ia rare and rrecioi
privilege. Every monument to Wasi
ington is tribute TO patriotism
Every shaft and statue to his memo
helps to inculcatu love of Countr
encourage loyalty and establish be-
ter citizenship. God bless every unde
taking which revives patriotism al
rebukes the indifferent and lawless
critical study Of Westinghouse care
only enhances our estimation OF b
vast and varied abilities.
~ As commander in. ch lief of the Cooni
armies from the beginning of the W
to the proclamation of peace, as pres
Il dent OF tho convention which frau
the Constitution OF the United State
and as the first President of the Unit
States under that Constitution, Was
ington has distinction differing fro
all other illustrIous Americans.
a. other name bears or can bear such
relation to the govern meDt Not OF
by his military genius, his patient
his sagacity, mis- courage, and his sk
was our national independence We
but he helped in largest measure
draft the chart by which the natl
was guided; and be was the fl
chosen OF the people to put in mott
tie new government,
His was not the boldness of mart
display or the charm of captivati
oratory, but his calm and steady jut
ment won mems support and co
manded their confidence by appeal
to their best and nobest aspiration
And withal, Washington was ever
modest that at no time in his car
did his personality oeem in the lie