New-York tribune., 1900-08-26
G. A. R. MEN AT CHICAGO.
PRACTICAL OPENING OF THE NATIONAL
ENCAMPMENT-DEDI OF
NEW COLISEUM.

Chicago, Aug. 25-The National Encamp-
n1ent OF the Grand Army OF the Republic was
opened tonight with the dedication OF the new
Coliseum, in which all the joint canpfres,
the reunions. the war song concerts of the vet
erans and the religious and other exercises for
the public, incidental to the Encampment, will
be held.
The new Coliseum stands in Wabash-ave., be-
tween Fourteenth and Sixteenth sts. on the
site formerly occupied by the Libby Prison. and
within its walls tonight Is gathered one Of
the largest assemblies that have ever been seen
in this city under one roof. The arrangements
for the joint ceremonies Of the dedication Of
the building and for the opening OF the En-
campment were most elaborate. and were great
y enjoyed by the ten thousand persons who
crowded through the doors.
A chorus Of one thousand costumed TO repre-
sent living flag, occupied an immense plat
form at one end of the building. and close by
them was the band Of one hundred pieces that
will render the concerts in the coming week Of
the Encampment Jules Lombard the well
known singer Of war times. was there, and sang
THE Star Spangled Banner" from the original
manuscript which was loaned for the occasion
by c. T. Gunther, of this city. The dedicatorv
exercises proper comprised an address by F
o. Lowden, of Chicago. a response by Mayor
Harrison, and addresses by other local speak
ers
The members Of the Grand Army and their
friends have been pouring into the city all day
long on regular trains and many special trains
from all parts OF the country It is estimated
that thirty thousand Of them arrived to-day. and
many times that number are expected 70 arrive
tomorrow and Monday. The chief arrival TO-
day was that Of the Spanish Minister the Due
dArcos, with the Countess d ARGOS Thev were
met at the Lake Shore station by a committee
representing the Grand Army and another rep
resentng the city Of Chicago and escorted 70
the Auditorium Annex, where apartments had
been provided for them. The escort on the vray
from the station 10 the hotel was headed by the
Denver Fife and Drum Corps General Daniel
z. Sickles arrived tonight
the programme for the exercises which are 10
be held tomorrow has been ARRANGED as fol-
mander-in-Chief Albert D. Shaw. of the Grand
Army Of the Republic He will talk on "True
Patriotism The address will treat OF the work
OF the Grand Army, the service which was rem
dered by the soldiers Of the Republic and the
lessons in patriotism which ara being incul-
Gated by the organization.
Bishop Fallows will deliver the address Of
greeting il being preceded by the Lords Prayer
by Dr.. F w. GunsaUlus, while the Rev. Dr.
J. u SeFeringnaus viii conduct the responsive
reading. The Rev. Dr. E G. Hirsch will deliver
an address on patriotic and religious lines, and
the final speaker will be the Rev. DR.. Thomas
Corwln In, OF SAT- Lake City. The benediction
with which the meeting win be dismissed will
be pronounced by the Rev. DR.. T. D. Wallace
An elaborate musical programme willsalso be
rendered
The afternoon services at the Coliseum will
be for children, and Will include addresses by
Commander-in-ChiefS Shaw, Bishop Fallows and
the Rev B. W Arnet, Of Wilberforce, Ohio.
The new Coliseum, which is just finished, IS
intsn6ed to take the place Of the structure which
stood near the Worlds Fair grounds in 1898. in
which the Democratic National Convention Of
1876 was held, and which was later destroyed
by fire The present structure contains the
largest auditorium in the city. II has seats FOR
seven thousand in the main portion, for two
thousand on the stage and standing room for
four thousand more It is one OF the largest
public buildings in the United States