The Washington herald., 1909-06-01
SPEECH AT GETTYSBURG
Miss Helen Taft Unveils MOnu-
ment to Regulars.
Dickinson, In Remarkable
speech at Exercises, Declares Con-
federscy Was FOredOOmed, and a
Southern Victory Would Have
Brought n Gordon of Forts on Di-
vidIns Line Between Two Sections.

Gettysburg. Pa. May 31.-Within a short
distance Of the spot where Abraham Lin
coin made his memorable address forty
four years ago. President Taft. spoke TO-
day at the unveiling Of a granite monu-
ment erected by Congress 10 the regular
soldiers who fell in the civil war.
The President pdid high tribute to
the regulars. and declared the necessity
of maintaining always a standing army
Of appreciabIe size 20 serve as the nu-
cleus for a greater army force in time Of
need
The President asserted that the present
standing army is barely commensurate
with the increase in population Of the
country from the early days Of the re-
public. and should by no means be de-
creased.
Mss Helen H. Taft, the Presidents
daughter. unveiled the monument she
pulled a suken cord which held several
American flags around the base. and as
they fell away the Thirteenth Coast Ar
tiilery Corps Band played the star
Spangled Banner. After the national
salute had been fred by Battery D. Of
the Third Field Artillery Secretary Of
War Dickinson made a snort address
transferring the monument 10 the Gettys-
burg National Park Commission. Lieut.
Col John P. Nicholson. chairman. ae-
eepted the gift on behalf Of the com
mission
President Reviews Troops
Several laurel wreaths were placed al
the base of the monument by the Oldest
surviving regimsntal OF battery COM
fnanders. The exercises closed win a
review by the President Of the regular
troops which had been ordered 10 Gettys-
burg 20 attend the ceremonies. They
were the Fifth United states Infantry.
and Battery D. Of the Third Field Artil-
lery.
The Presidents special car. Olympia.
which was attached 20 regular West
ern Maryland train from York. reached
Gettysburg shortly before % O'Clock
this morning. The President was ac-
COmpauied from PittSberg by his broth
or. Charles P. Taft Daniel F Lafean.
who joined the party in York, accom-
panied the party 20 Gettysburg Maj
Gen. J. Franklin Bel. Chief of staff,
and Brig. Gen. ". V. W0therspoon,
president Of the Army War College. were
among the first 10 greet Mr. Taft upon
his arrival here
There was q large crowd az the rail-
road station. and Mr.. Taft was cheered
heartily as re entered an automobile for
his trip over the battlefield. Il was
Charles P. Tafts first visit to Gettys-
burg. and all the historic spots were
pointed out. Lieut. Col. Nicholson. chair
man Of the park commission, rode IN the
automobile with the President and
Charles P. Taft and Gen. Bell. and gave
a brief description OF the fighting in
every part Of the battle field. The auto
mobile trip lasted about two hours, dur
ing which time the Presidential party
covered about thirty miles
Goes TO Little Round Top.
Mr.. Taft passed through the national
cemetery, where the graves Of TIE IN
known dead were decorated with flowers
and small American flags He rode down
into the Devils Den. where thousands
Of Confederate soldiers lost their lives IN
/ der the fierce cannonading from the Union
artillery. he next went upon Little
Round Top
Here 3Ir. Taft and the other members
Of the party left the automobile and
walked out onto the crest OF the hill,
from which panoramic view Of the sur
rounding battlefield could be had. Col.
Nicholson spent several moments pointing
out TO Nr. Taft historic spots on the bat
tlefeld- Among the small crowd who
were enjoying the view from Little Round
Top was a young man who wore a
large Taft campaign button on the lapel
Of his coat Gen. Bell spied the button
and took him over TO the President
Mr. President" Gen. Bell said, I think
this young man is entitled to a handshake
for his loyalty
Mr. Taft thought so. too, and grasped
the young fellows hand cordially. On
the return trip TO the private car for
luncheon the President and his party
passed through the encampment Of regU-