The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-01
Ceremonies of UnVeiIing Mon un8nt Draw Biggest Crowd
 Ever on the Battlefield
SECRETARY DICKINSON
 PAYS TRIBUTE ID DEAD
Taft Speaks of the Army and the Ne cessity of Keeping Up the Stan- dard of Strength and Eff
 ciency at All Times.

Gettysburg May 31.-This was the day of tardy honor to the reg ular" army at Gettysburg. An im- posing shaft of granite. erected by Congress to the memory of those of the regularly enlisted forces who fell in the three days fighting about the round top and the bloody angle, was un- yelled by the Presidents daughter, Miss Helen H. Taft, while the President himself paid tribute to officers and men of the United States army past and present.
 The President put himself squarely on record as opposed to any reduction in the present standing army. He told of the prejudice which often has arisen against the possible aggression of a regular army and a professional sol- diery and of the corresponding diff fieulty in arousing that love and pride of the army which expresses itself to- day, and has frequently expressed it. self in the past in behalf of the navy The President asserted that the ser vices of the regular army have ner been adequately commemorated Congress or the nation. "'T fession of arms has alway honorable one he declar,
 ent army. he declared
 in the history of tt
 larger in proport
 population and
 years of r
 exclaime
 army 1T in rH lpon
 aH
 ysburg from Pit t.e .4cs car was side traci Yaze or two hours and during ne made a brief ad- dress H. Il he declared again his hope for me early enactment of a tariff bill. If the Lord will only be good and send some real hot weather in June"
 The crowds present on the battle- field today were said to be the largest ever gathered here on Memorial Day. Excursion trains poured into the gay ly decorated old town from early morning until far past noon. The Western Maryland railroad officials estimated the crowds handled over that road alone today at 14,000. The streets fairly overfowed with humanity, and the way to the battlefield park was congested for hours before the Pres ident started for the unveillng cere- monies.
 Four regiments of the regular army were here to escort the President and to participate in the programme of the day. There was also a personal es- cort to the President, made up of vet erans of the regular army, who fought in the Gettysburg campaign.
 Heat Is Intense.
 The day was ideal in all but the heat of the early afternoon. The Pres ident arrived shortly before 10 o'clock and was taken at once for a drive over the battlehelds. At several points he alighted and stood on the prominence overlooking the beautiful valley and the hazy mountain in the far distance.
 
 quiet luncheon, he remained there until the arrival of his daughter from Wash ington. Miss Taft came with the Sec retary of War and Mrs. Dickinson. In the party from the capital also were many distinguished officers of the army and Assistant Secretary Oliver.
 The ceremonies of the unvelling were simple. Miss Taft pulled the silken cord which released the flags about the monument.
 President Taft spoke from a platform erected near the monument. He was followed by Secretary Dickson, who presented the monument to the battle field commission, the acceptance speech being delivered by Col. John P. Nich- olson, chairman of the commission. Following the unveiling the President Butt and Secretary Dickinson.- accompanied by his military aid, Cap tain Butt, and by Secretary Dickin- son, walked to the base of the tower ing granite column and there reviewed the troops.
 When the review concluded the President hurried back to the city and to his waiting train which left at S.45 p. m for Washington.
 Address of President.
 President Taft said;
 we are gathered at thls historic spot today to dedicate monument to the memory of the officers and the enlisted men of the regular army who gave up their lives for their country in the three days battle. It is but tardy recognition of the nations debt to it's brave defenders whose allegiance was purely to the na- tion, without local color or strengthening of state or municipal pride.
 "The danger of a standing army en- tertained by our ancestors, Is seen in tho constitutional restrictions and the com plaints registered In the declaration of in- dependence. It has always been easy to awaken prejudice against the possible aggressions of regular army and a pro fessional soldiery, and oorrespondingly difficult to create among the people that love and pride in the army which we
 ScoNTINUED ON PAoH s.l