The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-08
VETS WERE ENTERTAINED
Second Day Marked by Naval
 Parade and Reunions.
General Wilson Opposes Proposal to Build Monument to General Lee. Secretary Root Eulogizes
 the Present Army.

Washington, Oct. 7.-sPresident Roose- welt expects to leave the temporary White House tomorrow fcrfthe first time since his return from Indianapolis for the purpose of driving along the line of the Grand Army parade. He made this announcement tonight in the following letter tr MT. B. H. Warner, the chairman of the Citizens Committees:
 My Dear MT. Warner: Let me, through you, extend the most hearty greetings to the members of the Grand Army. have regretted greatly that my inability to leave my room hitherto has prevented my joining personally in the greeting. If the weather Is good tomorrow, shall for the first time leave the house so that I may drive along the line of the parade and see the men to whom this country owes more than to any others within It's borders. Faithfully yours,
 "Ineouore Roosevelt"
 The veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic and their friends were enter tained today by a parade given in honor of the naval veterans and by a number of reunions held in the big assembly tents at Camp Roosevelt. The weather was threatening during the early morn Ing. but the sun burst through the clouds about noon, so that with the mild tempe rature which prevailed there was no req son for complaint on that score. The at- tendance steadily increased during the day, and tonight the city is crowded as it has been only on very rare occasions.
 The naval parade of the forenoon was not as large as many that have been seen in Washington. but 1t was in every way interesting. The veterans of the navy each appeared to be an embodiment of much of the nations recent history and every squad of them was an object or interested observation. They were gem erally old men and many bore evidences of wounds received in battle. In strik- ing contrast to them were the young men of all the branches of the present service, who marched with them. as an escort of honor as 1t were. This escort included representatives of both land and naval forces.
 At the reunion during the afternooon at Camp Phil Sheridan Gen. J. Il. WIZ son was one of the speakers. In the course of his remarks he referred to the proposal to erect monument to Gen. Robert E. Lee, saying that our monu- ments should be to men who had assist- ed in keeping the flag flying and not 70 those who would have pulled 1t down tf they could have done so.
 Capt, William Potter of the 9th Penn- sylvania endorsed General Wilson's sen timents on the flag question. lie saio he had been present when Joe Johnson surrendered to General Sherman and than had heard General Wade Hampton, In command of the Confederate cavalry, swear that she would lead the cavalry to Mexico before 1t should capitulate.
 "Our soil," said the speaker. lis too pure to be used for the erection or monument to any rebel"
 fou ioyn nff1nfaIlY nYfandad the freedom of the city to the members of the Grand Army. speeches of welcome being delivered by Henry Mcfarland. President of the Board of District Com missioners; B. H. Warner, Chairman of the Citizens Committee. and by Secre- tary of War Root.
 A number of letters and telegrams were read from prominent men expressing their inability to be present, among them be- ing President Roosevelt, Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. General Alger. Gen. Joseph Wheeler Admiral Schley and ex-Secretary Her bert.
 Conspicuous among those on the plat form was Gen. Jacob H. Smith, who was moved to tears as Secretary Root, beside whom he sat during the evening. paid high tribute to the soldiers in the Philip pines The Secretary said that the Amer ican soldier of today is the lineal inheri- tor of the men of '61. He paid the soldier of today a high tribute and in conclusion said:
 "I know it upon testimony overwhelm- ing, that the army of the United States today is just as we'll, as brave, self re- strained as wei las gallant, humane as well as courageous and that never in the history of warfare among men has an army exhibited the highest qualities of civilization and of manhood to a greater degree than the American army in the PhilinninaS, z