The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-31

ed in the presence of President Taft.
The great shaft, one of the most con-
spicuous on the field. stands close to
the "bIoody angle" where the hottest
action in that struggle occurred.
The old town of Gettysburg was
gaily decorated for the event and the
streets crowded with people. Presi-
dent Taft arrived here shortly before
10 o'clock after an all night ride from
Pittsburg great crowd surround
ed the station. The presidential par
ty was met by Col. John P. Nichol-
son, Major Charles A. Richardson. and
General L. L. Lomax, the members of
the Gettysburg National park COM
mission.
After a slight delay President Taft,
his party the local reception COM
mittee, entered automobiles for a trip
over the battlefield. Following the
visit to all historic points the president
returned to his car for luncheon and
at 2 p. m. he took his place at the
head of the military parade, which
formed in the town and proceeded to
the bloody angle" on Cemetery ridge.
The ceremonies at the monument
were opened by the playing of Ameri-
ca by the Thirteenth coast artillery
band followed by prayer by Chap
lain H. H. Chouinard, Fifth L. S. I.
I
tion.
Miss Taft Pulls the Cord.
Immediately after the address of
the president, his daughter, Miss Hell
en- H. Taft, unveiled the monument.
The address transferring the monu-
ment from the national government to
the Gettysburg National park com
mission, was delivered by Secretary of
War Dickinson and the acceptance by
Colonel Nicholson, chairman of the
commission. Colonel Nicholson also
delivered an address.
Laurel wreaths were placed at the
base of the monument by the oldest
surviving regimental or battery COM
mander present, after which taps were
sounded by the trumpeters.
Following the conclusion of the de-
dication ceremonies the president re-
viewed the troops.
Miss Helen Taft and other ladies in
the presidential party We're the guests
of Miss Lomax, daughter of General
Lomax, the Confederate member of the
Gettysburg national park commission.
The Presidents Address.
President Taft spoke as follows:
I'VE are gathered at this historic spot
today to dedicate a monument to the
memory of the officers and the enlisted
men of the regular army who gave VI
their lives for their country in the
three days battle. 1t is but a tardy
recognition of the nations debt to its
brave defenders, whose allegiance was
purely to the nation without local colol
or strengthening of state or municipa
pride. The danger of a standing army
entertained by our ancestors is seen il
the constitutional restrictions and the
complaints registered in the declaration
of independence. 1t has always beer
easy to awaken prejudice against the
possible aggressions of a regular army
and a professional soldiery and CORES.
z2ondingly difficult to create among the
people that love and pride in the army
which We find today and frequently
in the history of the country arouse
on behalf of the navy. This has led to &
varied and changeable policy in respecf
to the regular army. At times it ha.
been reduced to almost nothing
In 1884, there were but so men WHIT
constituted the regular army of tn,
United States and of these Battery +
of the Fourth artillery constituted s.
of them; but generally the absolut,
necessities in the defenses of the coun
try against the wars which embrace s,
large a part of our history, have in
duced the maintenance of a regula
FORCE, small to be sure. but one SO wei