The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-27
Monument TO the Ex-President
Is Unveiled.
Vice President Fairbanks Deliv-
ers an Address.
DAUGHTER Is THERE.
Miss Elizabeth Harrison Draws
Aside the Flags.
President Roosevelt Sends a
Laurel Wreath.

Indianapolis, Ind, Oct. 27.-The cere-
monies attending the unwilling of the
Benjamin Harrison monument this
afternoon were preceded by a parade
in which all of the G. A. r. posts of
the city, numbering 700 men. partici-
pated, as well as 500 members of the
regular army, 600 national guard and
800 of fraternal orders. The speakers
| are Vice President Fairbanks. General
John w. Noble, Mr.. Harrison's secre-
tary of the interior; and John L. Crit
nths, the Harrison biographer. James
Whitcomb Riley read a poem written
for the occasion. The monument is in
University park, facing New York
street
Miss Elizabeth Harrison's part in the
exercises made the event unusually
pretty. Escorted by four members of
her fathers regiment, the Seventh In
diana, she walked from the reviewing
stand on the south side of the street.
to the monument opposite. There she
pulled the cord that unveiled the figure
of her father. The wells are two flags.
one representing the army and the
other the navy. The cord pulled by the
little girl drew the flags from around
the figure of the statue and suspended
them, one on each side. A company
from the Tenth regiment saluted with
their guns. Then the veterans acting
drew the flags to the tall fagpoles at
each side. The pole at the right bears
the escutcheon of the army and that at
the left the insignia of the navy. This
done. the daughter and her escort re-
turned to the reviewing stand
President Roosevelt has sent a laurel
wreath and cut flowers to be placed at
the base of the monument. Following
the ceremonies the wreath ard flowers
will be placed on the grave of General
Harrison in Crown Hill cemetery.
Fairbanks Address.
Vice President Charles w. Fair
banks began with a review of the
efforts of the General Benjamin Har-
rison Memorial association to have
erected a suitable monument to per-
petuate the memory of the late presi-
dent.
He devoted the remainder of his
remarks to the services General Har-
rison had rendered the people of this
country. He said
I'm every relation of life from the
beginning he set his eyes upon high
ideals and whether at the bar. upon
arduous field, in the senate of the
United States or in the office of chief
executive of the nation, he held fast
to them.
General Harrison possessed great
natural ability and there was coupled
with it genius for labor. Whatever
in war at the bar or in the field of
craftsmanship, was mastered. He
never submitted to the people hasty or
ill-considered conclusions. He both
spoke and wrote out or the fullness
and accuracy of knowledge which
served to win for him the public con-
fidence and to establish a firm hold
upon the people.
General Harrison commanded re-
spect in every field in which he
wrought. He was a leader by COM
mon consent. His soldierly qualities
in his young manhood, won admira-
ton for him among his comrades and
those above him in command. He
advanced at the bar by steady and
certain strides until he attained the
acknowledged leadership of his pro-
fession in the entire country. He was
one of the foremost members of the
senate of the United States.
LAS chief executive of the nation he
made a record characterized by states
manship of the highest order and by
mastery of the problems, which chal-
mastery of the problems which gave
to his administration place among the
best the country has ever had. His
occupancy of the highest office within
the gift of his countrymen did not ex-
alt him. He exalted the office. He
Will stand in the history of this coun-
try when it is impartially written. as
one of the nations great presidents"