The age-herald., 1900-08-26
CHICAGO FILLED
 WITH VETERANS
Old Soldiers Are Pouring Into
 the Windy City.
THE ENCAMPMENT BEGINS
Ten Thousand Persons Crowded Into the Imm snse Hall to Hear the Opening Exercises-Spanish Minister
 and His Wife Arrive

Chicago, August 25. = The national en- campment of the Grand Army of the Re- public was opened tonight by the dedica- ton of the new Coliseum, in which all the joint camp fires, reunions, war song con certs for the veterans, religious and other exercises for the public, incidental to the encampment, will be held. The few Coli scum is on Wabash avenue, between Four teenth and Sixteenth streets, on the site of the old Libby prison, and within its walls was gathered one of the largest as- semblies ever in this city under one roof.
 The arrangements for the joint ceremon- ies of the dedication of the building and for the opening of the encampment were most elaborate, and were greatly enjoyed by the 10000 persons who crowded through the doors
 A chorus of 1000 costumes, to represent a living flag, occupied immense plat form at one end of the building, and close by them was the great band of 100 pieces that will render the concerts during the coming week of the encampment. Jules Lombard, the famous singer of war songs, was there and sang the "Star-Spangled Banner from the original manuscript, which was loaned for the occasin by c. F.. Gunther, of this city.
 The dedicatory exercises comprised an address by F. O. Lowden. of Chicago, a response by Mayor Harrison and addresses by other local speakers. The members of the Grand Army and their friends poured into the city all day long on regular trains and innumerable specials from ali partc of the country. It Is estimated that 5000 arr rived today, and many times that number are expected tomorrow and Monday.
 Spanish Minister Arrives
 The chief arrival today was that of the Spanish Minister, the Due dArcos, with the Countess d'Arcos They were met hy a committee representing the Grand ArlDy and another representing the city of Chi cago and escorted to the Auditorium An mex, where apartments had been provided for them The escort on the way from the depot to the hotel was headed by the Den yer Fife and Drum Corps. General Daniel B. Sickles arrived tonight. The programme for the exercises which are to be held in the Auditorium tomorrow has been ar- ranged as follows:
 The principal address will be by Com mander in Chief Albert D. Shaw of the G. A. R. He will talk on True Patriot ism." The address will treat of the work of the Grand Army, the service rendered by the soldiers of the republic and the lessons in patriotism which are being in culcated by the organization.
 Bishop Fallows will deliver address of greeting, it being preceded by prayer by Dr. F. w. Gunsaulus, while the Rev. Dr. J. D. Severinghaus will conduct the re- sponsive reading. Dr. E. G. Hirsch will deliver an address on patriotic and relig- ious lines and the final speaker on the programme will be the Rev. Thomas Cor wan Tiff of Salt Lake City. The benedic- ton, with which the meeting will be dis missed, will be pronounced by the Rev T. D. Wallace.
 An elaborate musical programme will also be rendered.
 The afternoon services at the Coliseum will be for children, and will include ad- dresses by Commander in Chief Shaw, Bishop Samuel Fallows and the Rev. B. w ,Arnett of Wilberforce. Ohio.
 The new Colseium is just being finished, and is one of the largest places in Chica- 70. It is intended to take the place of the structure which stood near the Worlds Fair grounds In 1898, in which the Deffo- cratic National Convention of 1896 was held, and which was later destroyed by fire. The present structure contains the largest auditorium in the city. It has seats for 1000 in the main portion, for 2,00O on the stage and standing room for 4.OOO It is one of the largest public buildings