Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-05-20
WAS A GREAT DAY
Philadelphia Unveils Washington
Monument.
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT M'KINLEY
Brief Addresses by Other Prominent Men
and by William Wayne Presi-
II dent of the Society of
Cincinnati.

camped in Paramount park aroused the
city TO the greatest day in it's history
1t was not long after that steady
streams of people began to flow along
every byway leading to the Green street
entrance TO the park where the monu-
ment stands. In spite of the heavy down
pour Of last night the day broke under
clear skies. The decorations throughout
the city Were lavish. but of course the
greater labor and attention had been de-
voted 10 the hotels which sheltered the
Washington dignitaries. Both the Ho-
tel Walton, where the president and sew
eral members of the cabinet were nous
ed, and the Lafayette, which entertained
the vice presidential party were liter.
ally swathed in flags and buntings The
archWays of the vast city hall, few
blocks away, were literally clothed in
the tri-color, and Chestnut street was
huttering 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 Snowden, and at the park it
passed in review of the president
MORE INVITATIONS.
The president spent the morning quiet
iy in his room, receiving only few Wis
itOrs. Among those was delegation of
three-Dr. William Pepper. representing
the Philadelphia Commercial museum;
Theodore c. Search, of the National AS
ISOLATION of Manufacturers, and DR..
Hobart Hare, of the American Medical
association. They urged the president to
visit Philadelphia again on June 2, when
these three organiza tons hold a joint
meeting. The president reserved his de-
CiSlon.
UNWILLING CEREMONIES
There was but brief delay before
the beginning Of the ceremonies.
Bishop ORR W. Whitaker, of the do
cese of Pennsylvania, stepped to the
speakers table and offered up brief
prayer Bishop Whitaker concluded his
prayer with the Lords Prayer, in which
President Mckinley joined in low tones
Then Major Williab Wayne, president
OF the state and general Society of the
Cincinnati, made brief address.
Major Waynes address consisted of a
brief recital of the formation and pur-
poses of the society and ended with a
formal presentation of the statue to the
city on behalf of the society.
This all occupied but few minutes.
by the trustees of the statue, and cross
ed the driveway. AS he did so, quiet fell
on the gathered throng. Every eye
was strained to the huge figure apparel
ed in stars and stripes. Then the presi-
dent with uncovered head, drew the
cord Flags fell in a billawy cloud from
the shaft, and the mighty monument
stood revealed while cannon on land and
water Numbered. In a moment it was
over. The president was escorted back
to the stand, and as soon as silence
could be secured, he began his address,
which was, in part, as follows:
M'KINLEY'S ADDRESS.
"Fellow Citizens: There is a peculiar
and tender sentiment connected with
tais memorial. 1t expresses not only the
gratitude and reverence of the living. but
is a beautiful testimonial of affection
and homage from the dead.
1.-The comrades of Washington pro-
jected this monument. Their love in
spired it. Their contributions helped to
build it. Past and present share in its
completion and future genera tons viii
profit by it's lesson.
ITO participate in the dedication OF
such a monument is rare and precious
privilege. Every monument to Wash
ington is a tribute to patriotism. Every
irculcate love of country, encourage 10y
atty and establish a better citizenship
God bless every undertaking which re-
wives patriotism and rebukes the indif-
ferent and lawless.
"A critical study of Washingtons ca
reer only enhances our estimation of his
vast and varied abilities. AS command
er-in-chief of the colonial armies from
the beginning of the war to the procla-
nation of peace, as president of the con-
vention which framed the constitution
IF the United States, and the frs
president of the United States under tina
constitution Washington has a .distinc
lion differing from that of all other il
tustrious Americans. No other mans
tears or can bear such a relation to the
government Not only by his military
genius-his patience, his sagacity, hi:
courage and his skili-was our natfona
independence won, but he helped i
largest measure to draft the chart by
which the nation was guided; and h'
was the first chosen of the people 10 pu
in motion the new government.
His was not the boldness of martha
DISPLAY or the charm of captivating ora
tory. bur his calm and steady judgmen
won mems support and commanded
their confidence by appealing to thei
best and noblest aspirations And
withal Washington was ever so modes
shat at no time in his career did hi
personality seem in the least intrusive
He was above the temptation of power
He spurned the suggested crown H
would have no honor which the peopI
did not bestew. An interesting fact
and one which 1 love TO recalls tina
In only time that Washington formal,
address ed the constitutional convention
during all its sessions over which he pre-
sided IN this city, he appealed for lar
ger representation of the people in tn,