The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-07
Gen. Cooks Famous Drum Corps Ar
riyes from Denver and serenades
President and Other Dignitaries-
ELOQUENT ADDRESS OF WELCOME
BY SECRETARY JOHN HAY.
President VIII Drive Along Parade
Visits Washington Friends.

incident to the beginning OF the thirty
sixth encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic. which began here to-day,
were varied in character and mostly only
semi-oficial. The only formal proceeding
of the day was the dedication Of Camp
Roosevelt, the tent city on the White
House grounds. which will be the head
quarters of the several corps organizations
during the week. The ceremonies there
consisted of number OF addresses by men
Of national reputation. the chief speech be-
ing delivered by Secretary Hay. For the
rest the old soldiers busted themselves
largely in renewing the acquaintance OF
forty years ago and in manifesting their
appreciation of the welcome extended TO
them by the capital city. OF this welcome
they found generous evidence on every
hand. The events Of the day outside the
dedication ceremonies at Camp Roosevelt
included fine regatta on the Potomac an
attractive automobile parade, an interest
ing procession by the Red Men of this city
and neighboring cities and camp fires in
the evening. Commander-in-chief Torrance
and his staff kept open house all day at the
Ebbitt House and received many hundreds
of callers.
Many trainloads OF people have arrived
during the day. and it is now quite certain
that the anticipations of an exceptionally
large attendance will be realized.
Camp Roosevelt. which is 10 be the head
quarters of the various army corps during
the week Of the encampment, was formally
dedicated at 4:30 o'clock this afternoon.
The camp is on the White Lot Just west
of the White House and between thar
he aGhi OF
1t is a beautiful greensward located near
the heart OF the city, and also is otherwise
well adapted to the purpose to which it Is
TO be put. The dedication ceremonies were
presided over by b. II. Warner, chairman
of the citizens committee of the District
of Columbia. and were largely attended by
the veterans and by citizens OF Washing
ton, including both ladies and gentlemen
The ceremonies took place on the i'm
provised platform protected from the glare
of the evening sun by an immense national
flag spread across the western side OF H.
On this stand beside Mr.. Warner sat the
immediate principals in the ceremony.
OFFICIAL WELCOMES.
The proceedings were begun promptly
at the time specified. Col. John Z. McEl-
roy, chairman of the reunion committee,
called the meeting TO order and summoned
Mr. Warner to the stand. After a brief
invocation by the Rev. W. q. Daven-
port, Mr.. Warner introduced Henry b. +.
MacFarland, one of the district commits
sioners. Before doing so. however. Mr..
Warner spoke a few words OF welcome of
his own. Abiding to the, beautiful wealth
er he said the general sunshine was typ
ical of the hospitality extended 10 the old
soldiers by the people of the national cap
ital. Commissioner MacFarland then
spoke. and he took his seat in the midst OF
a generous round Of applause. which was
renewed and redoubled when the Hon.
oh n CT al a 10
speak for the President. Mr.. Hay read
his speech from manuscript. but he spoke
so distinctly that his words were plainly
audible TO all the vast number present
He was applaudcd at frequent intervals
as he proceeded. His address was as fol-
lows
Comrades of the Great Army-In the
name of the President and in his stead.
bid you welcome to Washington. l need
not say that on every inch of American
soil, wherever that starry banner waves
you are at home. and need no formal words
of welcome. But especially I'm this capital
city OF the Republic you fought TO pre-
serve, you are the children of the house:
the doors are always open to you. wher-
ever you turn you are reminded OF the his
tory Of which you are part From the
windows of that White House the eyes OF
many comrades have looked upon this field
whose names belong 10 the ages-Lincoin
Grant. Hayes, Garfield, Mckinley and
Roosevelt. In the beautiful squares other
comrades salute you from the bronze horses
of the monuments where your love and
loyalty have placed them. Across the
winding river. the heights OF Arlington
camping ground, where your friends and
brothers repose. And. casting its gigantic
shadow over this bivouac OF yours. the un-
equaled obelisk OF Washington towers 10
the clouds-the ioftiest structure ever
reared by man in memory OF the loftiest
character in human history.
"A peculiar interest attends this gath
ering Never again shall all OF us meet I'm a
camp like this. Not often shall the young
est and strongest of come together TO
renew our memories OF the past. and our
vows of eternal devotion 10 the cause 10
which In those distant days we swore al
legience. Thirty-seysn years have passed
since some OF Us. wearing Grape on our
arms and mourning In our hearts for
Abraham Lincoln. saw the great army
which he loved pass before the White
House in the grand review. Many OF you
marched in those dusty columns, keeping
step TO the rhythm OF drums and trumpets
which had sounded the onset In a hundred
battles. The banners blew gaily out-what
was left OF them; they were stained with
the weather OF long marches; they were
splendid in the rags and tatters OF glorious
victories. There was not much or pomp
or state about that solemn march But the
men in the street that day-many OF whom
have the honor OF seeing before me-af-
forded their own country. and the rest OF
the world. lesson which shall never be
was not Immediately perceived. In fact
many inferences were drawn at the mo-
ment which the lapse OF few months
found altogether false. one trained OBJ
server OF events In the old world said:
These splendid fellows will give you
trouble; IL L. too fine force 20 ee dis
banded easily. He reasoned from the pre-
cedents OF the past. unaware that we were
making new precedents. Since then the
world has learned the lesson OF that ho1r.
The normal condition OF the Republic 10
peace but not the nerveleSs peace OF help
lessness. We do not need the overKroxn
armaments OF Europe. Our admirable reg
ular force, with its perfect drill and dis
J cipiine though by far the smallest in the