The Washington times., 1909-05-31
Chief Executive Makes I'M
preSSive Speech on I'M
mortal Battlefield.
MISS HELEN TAFT
UNVEILS MONUMENT
Unfurls Flags From Shaft Com
memorating Patriotism Of the
American Soldier.
By JAMES HAY, Jr.


the music OF military bands, the
marching and countermarching of
masses of troops and before q
tremendous coneourse OF people
the national monument to the reg
ular soldiers who fell in the three
days battle of Gettysburg was un-
veiled this afternoon by Miss Hell
en- Taft, the Presidents daughter.
It was typical of the occasion
and the spirit of its celebration
that in all this commanding scene
the dominating parsonage was
young girl who came in time of
peace to do homage to the men
who died in time of war.
The President of the United States
lllade a speech which viii go down in
history as a tribute 10 the officers and
men Of the regular army of this coun-
try. The Secretary of war spoke IN
a similar vein. Artillery, infantry and
cavalry We're spread before the gaze
Of the people and the military bands
and 2ational coloTs gave the picture
added spiendor. But the center Of the
scene was occupied by Miss Taft
Speaks Feelingly.
The President made a speech inme-
diately after a drive with his brother.
Charles P Taft, over the entire battle
field. and he spoke with a fervor and
earnestness inspired BY a fresh real
ization of the sacrifices men had made
10 save the union He dwelt on the
fact that al Gettysburg the union sol
der left OF bis role of invader and
was forced 70 fight for MS 4ireside His
reference 10 the triumphant end Of the
battle brought cheer on cheer from the
lars who had come here from Fort
Myer, Plattsburg and other distant
points.
IN all the. eereraonise Of grateful
couhtry's celebration OF Memorial Day
there would be no more inspiring
than the one heEe today. The granite
shaft which Miss Taft unveiled towers
eighty-fiVe feet in the air overtoppfne,
ali those other monuments yGich have
been erected on the field in honor OF
the soldier dead. About its base were
grCoped the survivors of the great bat
tie. Near by stood the President sur
rounded by the ranking officers OF the
1&any OF today. From where they stood
IneS coEld see the camps of the regu-
lars The whole scene was a beautiful
blending of gold and blue AID the
veTslant green OF summer.
Threats of Rain.
Although the day started sut with
the threat of rain, It cleared eff ana
when the unveiling occurred at 2 O'Clock
in the afternoon the sun was shining.
The monument is a magnificent shaft
on Hancock avenue, just south OF the
High Water Mark" OF the war.
where Pickett's men were finally
stopped In their historic charge. UnOn
the great bronze shields at the base OF
Of al
GERS in the forty cavalry, artillery. in
fantry and engineer commands Of the
Federal regulars that participated IN
the operations about Gettysburg. The
monument cost nearly 500, 600. and was
built with money appropriated by Con-
gress. Out In the fields, IN the peach
orchard, and lpon the hills surrounding
the spot where the monument stands,
other stones have been erected, each
seven feet in height, to mark the iOcS-
ton Of the different commands durihg
the engagement.
Guard of Honor.
President Taft's private car. Olympia.
reached the Gettysburg station attached
to the regular passenger train from
Hanover. A detachment OF regulars
met the party and acted as an escort
Of honor 10 the battlefield.
The Presidential party included the
President, Miss Taft, Wendell Nfischler.
Assistant Secretary to the President:
Capt. Archibald Butt. his military aide,
and the usual Secret Service guard
As soon as the President appeared on
the real platform Of the Olympia all
the soldiers within view came to at
tention and the artillery battery. plant
ed on an emtnence few hundred yards
away doomed out the tWenty-One guns
Ieenth Coast Artillery band PLAYED
America" as the President and his
party took their places in the stand
facing the monument. end when the
familiar strains OF the national anthem
died away, Chaplain H n. Chouinard,
OF the Fifth United States Infantry.
offered prayer.
was an appreciation of heroic deeds OF
the regulars in the great war. The
States had built monuments to their
native sons, on many shell-scarred fields
the deeds of volunteers had been COM
memofated on both sides of the Mason
and Dixon line with scores OF noble
statues and granite shafts. Now IL had
remained for the National Congress TO
1ttingly remember the valor of the reg
ulars at Gettysburg, those men whose
duties called them to a life of arms and
made them bear the brunt Of every
charge AS a representative Of the
Government those soldiers IOugnt 10
save as well as an American citizen
whose blood is sttl stirred by the in.
trepid courage displayed by the men
who wore the Federal blue, the Presi-
dent said he felt hOnored in assisting at
the ceremony of giving to the world the
Government S token Of praise.
The President spoke as follows:
awe are gathered at this historic
SpOt today to dedicate monument
to the memory OF the officers and the
enlisted men Cf the regular army who
gave up their lives for their country
n the three days battle. It is but &
tardy recognition of the nations debt
to its brave defenders whose aiIegi-
aEcs was purely to the nation with