The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1909-07-04

MONUMENT TO Dr.. BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN STEPHENSON is
UNVEILED.
PRAISES GRAND ARMY
Said Pronhesy That Great Army Of
'6tl65 Threatened Free institu-
tions Had FaIed-Mllitary
Parade.

Washington. July 5-:Jeclaring that
unlike the Pretorian guard of Rome,
the men who made UP the Union
forces during the Civil War were II
favor Of free institutions tat they
fought for them and did not intend u
sacrifice them to anything else, Pres
ident Taft today was the principal
speaker Of the unvellng of a memoir
ial to pr Benjamin Franklin Stephen
son. founder Of the Grand Army, Con-
gross having contributed TO the cost
Of the memorial, President TAFT said
he was present n his official eaFaei.
ty The ceremonies were simple but
impressive. and wea more or less or
fetal in their character. All avail
able regulars and militia turned out.
and after the exercises passed In re-
view before tae president.
What Taft Said.
The President said in part. Eve
are met to dedicate memorial to
Union soldier who served four years
as a surgeon In the civil war, aud
who also builded and institution by
which there should De united in the
bonds Of fellowship all the sweet as
ISOLATION. all the deep lesson Of Icy
lalty and all the pride of patriotism
| that such civil was as that would
arouse in million hearts When men
at the formative Periods to 22--
| are associated in any work whether
II be in college, society, church or
otherwise. they carry with them the
fondest memories anG association for
each other because they have passed
Through a common mold.
But how much greater must b.
the sweet association and the bond OF
union between men who for four years
passed through the CANCERS Of civil
war. those who survived thinking OF
the tender memories of those who
lgaye up their lives T1r their country.
Those surviving carrying with them
the sweet association as stories OF
courage and tales fell OF humor aud
Ipaihcs. | can conceive no bond OF
lunicn stronger than that which unites
the men who fought from Gi 20 'G5
. in tie Grand army; and it was TO the
credit cf the founder OF the Grand
Army of tho Republic that he saw the
solid basis upon which such struc-
ture as that great society could be-
erected.
Prophesiec Failed.
You will recollect that there were
prophets Of evil with resDe { to
the fate Of t5e United states after
war should cease, after lde end should
: he accomplished. tor which the North
lwas fighting ami 1t was said that The
/. 'arrreration of a million men in arms
Z threatened oar free institutions They
recalled that the Pretoriaa guard ot
Rome was an iHstr1ae4- IN iuriheF
, ling the ambition cf those who sup
| press free institutions ami vio we'e
10 assume dcsrotic power But al
these prophecies faded into ne thing
B.. ness The men who compoed that
.uiilion were men ia -dvur Of free in
ruutions. who ba5 '5ugat for them
and dii not intend 70 sacrifice then
TO anything else.
B. There was no man with ambition
J. Improve that army as an Instrument
S of iespotism even if 10 had been will
3 ing In furnish itself - such. aud 50
2 il was tire marvel G. other countries
8 that this great boy e organize |
fierce. thar whic3 there never was a
, stronger or better csscIpiaed army.
d faded ont and disappeared into the
. 'rathos Of peace. p sera -as nothing :
D hut the sweet memory AID ossae-a-
ton they had forme.i curing the war
and the conciousness that they hal
{ in their own hearts c. having render
(cqntlnueG on Second Page.l