The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-04
VETERANS ASSEMBLING
For the Thirty-third Encampment
Of the Grand Army.
CANDIDATES FOB COMMAND

Colonel Shaw and Judge Rassieur Seem
to Be In the Lead, But "Private" Dali
zelI. Colonel Johnson and General
Miller Are Also In the Bace.
Philadelphia, Sept. 4.-The thirty
third national encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic began
here today. The vanguard of the vet
Grams reached the city yesterday and
found the people with outstretched
arms of welcome. Never again, per-
haps, will Philadelphia be the scene of
national encampment of the G. A. r.
| OF the valiant men who defended the
cause Of the Union there remains but
a remnant. and with the depletion
of the ranks the welcome is the more
heartfelt and enthusiastic.
Admiral Sampson, with his feet OF
fighting ships. arrived here yesterday,
and this event marked the beginning
OF the weeks celebration. The city is
crowded with strangers, while the in
coming trains from all sections are
bringing thousands upon thousands to
help swell the throng.
The city has borne It's share of the
work Of decoration, and the citizens
of Philadelphia, by contributions of
cash and in welcoming banners, have
shown their interest in what will be
the greatest reunion ever held. The
route of the veterans parade, which
takes place tomorrow. is one solid
blaze of color and light. Not build
ing but has its front incased in red,
white and blue. The Avenue of Fame,
which extends from Walnut to Cherry
streets on Broad. distance of five
blocks, with the city hall as the center,
is the most magnificent piece Of dec
grafton ever attempted in this city.
There are two classes Of columns. The
larger and more ornate are about so
feet in height, and are placed at the
street corners. The smaller columns,
about rs feet high, stand on each side
of Broad street between the larger COL
umns.
The corner pillars are massive, but
graceful and at the base of each are
alternately, in heroic size, two soldiers
and two sailors. Numerous circles of
electric lights decorate the poles from
the base to the gilded eagles at the top.
The columns are connected by fes-
toons of bunting and laurel, and strings
OF incandescent lamps give brilliant
effect at night.
The north and south fronts of the
city hall will be Illuminated with mas
sive electric light pieces, 80 feet in
length, representing the G. A. R.
badge. Rows of incandescent lights
extend from the top Of PENIS statue,
$50 feet above the street level to the
roof, and around the structure, giving
the effect of an immense column of
brilliant light.
Camp Sexton, near Belmont, in
Paramount park, contains 1000 tents.
1t Is intended to accommodate those
posts of the Grand Army which preferto
camp rather than be quartered in halls,
armorles or private houses. The
tents will shelter 10000 veterans.
The big parade tomorrow will be in
- divisions. Post No. 1, from Rock
ford, Ills. the oldest post In the Grand
Army, will head the line. As the vet
|
will be reviewed by President McKin- !
ley, who is expected to arrive here to-
night, accompanied by Secretaries
Root and Gage and Postmaster General
Smith. There will be over $4,000 men
In line.
A feature of tomorrow's events will
be the chorus Of 5000 school children,
who will occupy portion of the grand
stand on the north side of the city hall |
As the parade passes this point the
children will sing patriotic airs.
or all the military organizations to |
attend the encampment probably none
will attract more attention than Boyds |
Girl Cadets, of Topeka, Kan. These
young women are the daughters of
veterans, and are commanded by II.
N. Boyd, who was sergeant of Com
pany l.. Seventh Illinois cavalry, dur
ing the civil war. They will grace the
line of parade tomorrow.
A question of absorbing interest to
G. A. Il. veterans which will be decided
during the encampment is the election
of commanderin-chief and other Of
1icers. The candidates most promi-
nently in the field are Colonel Albert
D. Shaw. of Watertown, N. Y, and
Judge Leo Rassieur, of st. Louis.
private" James M. Dalzell, of Com
pany H. One Hundred and Sixteenth
Ohio, is also a candidate. Others
urged by their friends are Colonel w.
c. johnson, of Cincinnati Acting Com
manderin-Chief and Brigader Gen
eral Charles Miller, of Venango, Pa.
A feature of the encampment not to
be overlooked is the gathering of vari-
GUS organizations Of patriotic women,
closely allied with the G. A. R. The
National Association of Army Nurses
of the Civil War will meet and elect
officers, and the Ladies' of the G. Il. R.
will take similar action.
The Naval Veterans will enjoy the
of giving the first street
parade during the encampment. Theirs
will take place this afternoon, and will
be a unique feature Of the demonstra-
ton. The old salts who fought under
Farragut will tramp shoulder to Shout
der with the younger veterans Of the
war.
Next Friday the naval parade will
take place. Admiral Simpsons feet
will be anchored In the Delaware river
opposite the city, and long line of
vessels will pass around the fighting
ships. President Mckinley and cabi-
net officers will review the warships
from the revenue cutter Gresham.
Members of the commission of the i'm
perial Russian navy stationed here
the building of bat
Ileship and a cruiser, will participate
in the naval pageant.
Elaborate preparations have been
made for the entertainment of Presi-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley. The front
rooms of an entire floor have been set
apart for their accommodation at the
Hotel Walton, and nothing has been
L LIZ Il