New-York tribune., 1909-07-04
HONOR &. A. R. FOUNDER
PRESIDENT TAFT SPEAKS.
Monument to Mqjor b. r. Stephen
son UnUeiled an Washington.
-, - Trihnne Rnreau.I |

TFrou7 The Tribune RureauI
Washington. July S.-President Taft eHthus-
astically received ,sis afternoon the UnveiiinS
of the memorial TO Major Benjamin Franklin
Stephenson. founder Of the Grand Army of the
Republic. Thousands lined Pennsylvania avenue
and eheered him heartily his to and from
the exercises. and his address was frequently in
terrupted by applause. The Grand Army turned
out in full force, and every foet Of ground around
the circle at the intersection of Pennsylvania ave-
and 7th street occupied. Even the win
dows the surrounding buildings were filled and
hundreds dotted the roefs. The memorial was PfS-
sented By General Louis Wagner, the treasurer OF
the Stephenson Grand Army of the Republic Ne
mortal Committee, and accepted and pFesentee
10 the United States by Henry Nj Nevtus, COM
nlander in chief OF the Grand Army Of the Repup-
lie. Mrs. Grace Ress Van Cssteel then pulled
rope. releasing three large American flags. MIS-.
Anna Grant Fugitt sang two verses OF THE star
SPanged Banner" accompanied by the Uhlted
States Marine Band The assembled thousands
Joined in singing the chorus. At this moment
large bouquet of white blossoms and maidenhair
ferns vas handed ia Mrs. Ven Casteel5 vino in
turn presented it 10 President Taft, amid great
applause.
The President tLen spoke as follows:
We met to dedicate memorial te linen
soldier who served tour years as surgeon In the
Civil War and who also huilded sn institution eE
iowship an the sweet association all the deep les
sea s9f 81 Ss war ho as s that 5f doud al srse in ons
Of hearts When men at the tormatlVe peIlGio ~ ~
IN any work. BhethsT II be in college. IN society
IN church, CT otherwise they carry WIN then1
for each other because they have passed through
the sweet association snd the bond of union be
tween men who for four years passed through, ths
thinking Of the tender memories of those who gave
M their lives for their country these Surviving
carrying with them the sweet sssocls ton tne ne
stories of courage and tales full CT humor ana OF
I can conceive no bond union stronger than
that which united the men who fought from -
credit OF the founder of the Grand Army Of he
Republic that he saw the se'if hesls upen NAit. m
such structure as that great society oento rs
You will reeolieet that there zere ProPhsts of
after the war should cease, after the end should
end eH Il Tas ssig that the agSregstion Of ino
men IL arms threatened our fse u insnnch5 Panje as an
instrument in furthering the ambition Of those
Eho would suppress I[ee a Rnt eli those
proPhecies g tie fadsd into nothihsnsss The men Who
S Th9 " hs9 fought for them Sa ot
was no man with the ambition 70 improve that
srny as an instrument ef ae5petism gVen ~ 7 so ~
il aas the marvel of other countries that this
great body Of organized force. than which there
faded out and disaPpesred into the paths of peace
tom t% e9f a fore ee during s the war and the
having rendered that greatest service, to wit: The
preserva ton of their country.
TRIBUTE TO THE g. a. r.
Stephenson organized this Grand Army o. the
Republic preserve the essence OF that army in
ifs pstriotisr7 Far be it from me to c-itieise in
the slightest such organizations as the Cincinnati
lions and those Who belong to them may we'll
Republir knows no limitation but service to the
government in the Civil War. and therefore 1t IS
that Congress. recognizing the usefulness of such
an organization ia preserving Patriotisn, in main
tanning it in its intensity during those years when
forget it. properly contributed s10.0aO TO this me
moral, and Tecognized the Grand army N.Y. oi me re
sienal gratitude and national recognition
IS MOST u a.efI % in III us It rspresens the caneen
trated opinion Of the men who fought in tile war
authoritative expression which no other body and
no other part o. & the ps9ps can m aye , to Et G fT
existed during the four years OF the VAR; and
few instances obtain. you will never IND IT 20
exist between the men who actually eErcsed their
lives on one side and the men who exposed their
The union Of the tEo sections has been moulded
strongly and more strongly by those meetings.
which ought to bee encouraged between the Blue
within my recollection, on occasions like this ana
Memorial Day and OR Fourthg of Jaly have
know there many who. With iaunty step and
keeping their hats on rather tend to deceive the
people te their age, but the fact is that those
bn4res daY arg Fonr 4 10 their long p1sme It
is ftting that such an association, whic in the
course OF the next generation will pass away,
to testify. not only 20 the patriotic service that
they rendered during the war, but also to the
service to the country that they have rendered BY
their holding high loyalty and patriotism since
the war to the present day
Nj Commander in Chief Of the Grand Army of
the Republic, inssmueh as Congress contributed TO
am ans ere oeay si to accept at ! Tour Hands on be-
half Of the government ef the United States this
ltng memorial OF fraternity, charity and loyalty
Mrs Fugitt then sang ''Tenting the Old Camp
Ground - the crowd Joining In the chorus. Senator
Warner delivered the opening address and Repre-
sentative J. Hampton Moore the closing speech.
After the benediction by the Rev. DR. Henry y.
Couden the Marine Band played America"
The President sUrreunded by government off,
ciais and Grand Army men, then proceeded to the
rear of the stand and FevisRed the parade, which
was composed of regular army troops, sailors.
marines and the District OF Columbia militia
The Stephenson monument stands directly op
posite the memorial 10 General Winfield Scott.
There are three sympeIical bronzes on the menu
ment representing Fraternity, Charity and 10y
slrz-' the motto the Grand Army of the Re
public the womans Relief Corps. the auxiliary OF
the Grand Army of the Republic and the Ladies' Of
the Grand Army OF the Republic The front bears
the bronze tablet depicting Fraternity q sol
dier and sailor under the fae. Beo@ this tablet,
on the base of the monument, Is baEs-relisf Of
Kajer Stephenson in uniform, made from the only
picture Of him known to exist Charity is rep
resented as a giving cup Of cold water 20
8 child under her protecting cloak Loyalty is
holds sword in hand ana the great seal Of
inscription the monument. just below the bass
relief Of Major Stephenson is: