Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-08-30
THE PATRIOTIC SONGS
Drew a Monster Audience to Chi
oago's Great Coliseum.
RASSIEUR TO SUCCEED SHAW
Since the Withdrawal of Gen. John
For Commamdcr-in-Chi Seems to

Since the Withdrawal of Gen. John
{. Black the st. Louis Candidate
For Commandcr-in-Chie Seems to
Have "a Clear Field.
Chicago. Aug. 27.-Despite the rain,
which fell at times with the energy OF
q stream from a garden hose and de-
generated periodically into a cold,
soaking drizzle, the grand patriotic and
sacred song service at the Coliseum
last night was attended by a thrOng
which taxed the capacity of the i'm
mense building to the utmost. The
exercises began at O'Clock, and be-
tween that hour and O'Clock the side
walks on Wabash avenue was impas-
sable for block in both directions.
A large detachment of police was on
hand. and the officers had their hands
more than full in handling the crowd.
The jam in the doOrways at O'Clock
was terrific, and although none was
injured many gowns and coats were
badly wrecked. 1t is estimated that
fully 1900 people were packed into
the hall, and thousands more were un-
able to gain admission.
Bishop Samuel Fallows, of Chicago,
who gained renown as fighting man
on the battlefield before he won dis
tinction in the pulpit, and who is
chairman of the encampment commit
tee on religious exercises, presided
On the platform with him was Mayor
Harrison, COmmander-in-C Chief Shaw,
of the G. A. R., Rev. Thomas G..
Iliff, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Gen.
Daniel f. Sicklcs, Rev. e. G. Hirsch
of Chicago, and host of department
commanders of the G.. A. r., as well
as the local officials in charge Of Chi
cago's end of the encampment.
After a musical selection had been
rendered by the band, the vast audi
ence Joined in the Lords Prayer, being
led by Rev Frank Gonsalus, and then
Bishop Fallows extended warm and
eloquent welcome to the visiting vet
erans A responsive reading was led
by Rev. J. d. Severinghaus, of Chi
cago, and Bishop Fallows then intro
duced Commander-in-Chie Shaw, who
spoke at some length upon True Pa
triotism" Rev. e. G. Hirsch delivered
a patriotic address and Rev. L. d.
Wallace pronounced the benediction.
Between the addresses musical num-
bers were given by the band of 100
pieces, and vocal selections were given
by soloists, quartettes and the chorus.
Railroad officials estimated that
fully 5000 people arrived during yes
terday, Of which number $4,000 were
members of the G.. A. r. FOrtyfive
thousand strangers had arrived pre-
viously, over II 900 of whom were vet
Grams, a total of 30 900 already in the
city and reports indicate that today S
arrivals will swell the number to a
record breaking total
Unless the unexpected happens, 1t
is probable that Major Leo Raisseur,
of St. Louis. will be elected com
mander-in-chief of the Grand Army of
the Republic for the coming year at
the business session on Wednesday.
Gen. John c. Black, of Illinois, who
had been prominently mentioned for
the office and who had developed con-
siderable strength among the veterans
of the western and northwestern
states, has declined to be candidate.
This apparently leaves a clear field
for Major Raisseur, as no other name
has so far been mentioned.
The dedication OF the naval arch at
9 o'clock this forenoon was followed by
a parade OF the naval veterans, a pa
rade of government vessels and private
yachts on Lake Michigan and a naval
battle cfi Lincoln Park. This evening
the meeting Of the society of Prisoners
of War will be hcid in the Coliseum.