The Florida star., 1902-07-25
G. A. R. ENCAMPMENT.
Broad Plans For Coming Re-
union In Washington.
THE PRESIDENT TO PARTICIPATE


nifieant Yet HeId-Ffne Decoration.
and nluminatiOns Planned New
Monuments to he Unveiled.
Extensive preparations have been
made by the national capital for the
1902 encampment Of the Grand Army
of the Republic, to he held in Wash
tngton during the second week in Oc-
tober, says the New York Mail and
Express. Ten years ago the veterans
or this organization were entertained
as the city's guests, and the reception
then accorded the members of the
Grand Army proved one of the notable
experiences in their history as an or
ganiZation.
Three days, Oct. g, Z and S-Monday.
Tuesday and Wednesday-have been
chosen by General Eli Terrence and
his associates of the q. \. II. eXecu-
tive committee as the period of the ma
tiOnal convention. Monday has been
set apart for the first days session of
the convention and a special display
OF fireworks, at which all of the Off
GERS of all the organizations then as
sembled in Washington and the presi-
dent of the United States are TO be
preSeRt. On Tuesday the convention
will conclude its annual session. while
the general visitors TO the city will
view parade by the Sons of Veter-
ans. The third day has been set aside
for the parade of the veterans. desire
on their part that none but soldiers
who have seen service at the front
should participate having been recOg-
niZed by those who framed the pro-
gramme.
An extensive schedule of regimental
division and corps reunions has been
arranged To cover the first two days of
sions will be made TO nearby points of
interest, such as Mount Vernon and
Braddock's rock.
The whole city will be handsomely
dressed for the occasion. The decOra-
tiOn will consist almost exclusively of
American flags hung at an angle from
all buildings along the line Of the vet
erans' march and from most houses
within reach of the business section
OF the city.
Local opinion is strong against the
distortion of the beautiful architecture
al lines of the public buildings. On
other occasions the splcndidly proper
toned pedimentS OF such buildings as
the treasury and the patent office have
been married by flags hung more or
less gracefully about the cornices or
allegOrical pictures painted more or
less skillfully. But this year the strong.
fine lines OF Greek and Romancsquc
architecture will be left to speak for
themselves. and, except for groups OF
flags about that which always flies
from governmental building, they
will be entirely without decoration.
These decorations will converge on a
court of honor TO he built In the space
incloSed In Lafayette square and the
grounds of the White House. Several
We'll known architects are at work pre-
pairing Il design of Greek pillars and
covered reviewing stands which shall
have the general effect of a peristyle
with Il Scmicircle of Ionic columns
leading to the doors of the executive
mansion. which 10y that time will have
been completely rcmndClcd. At night
the space will glow with thousands ot
colorCd lights. Illuminating the smoke
which will ascend from several pyrc
urnS and transforming what is now an
open IlaZa into Il structure Of delicate
beauty.
At night the whole downtown section
of the city will take OH the peculiar
charm which attached To- the Buffalo
exposition when lis buildings were out
lined with thousands Of incandCScrnt
lights and its fountains transformed 10y
the glcam of many culOrS. Plans ar,
being laid for such an illumination ot
the high. white dome OF the Capito
that from every point of view it shal
stand out in sharp relief against the
black of the sky. But the chief night
display Will he the exhibition of fire
works. which will he made south Of the
White House and ut the base of IN,
Washington monument
Two impressive dcdicatory ceremo
mics are 10 occur at the close of III,
cncampment. The monument 10 Gener
al W. L. Sherman, for which congress
has erected pedestal at the scutl
front OF the treasury building, and tha
to the late DR.. Benjamin +. stephen
son, founder OF the Grand Army ol
the Republic. will both be unveiled.
The former is OF bronze and granite
executed partly by Carl Rohl-Smith
now deceased, and partly by StepheI
Sinding, a Norwegian, and Lauritl
Jensen, a Dane. The work is expected
to prove one OF the notable memorial:
In q city already rich in such struc