Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-27
Camp Emery Formally Dedi.
Gated as Headquarters of
the G. A. R. Encampment.
TENDER OF THE BUILDING
MADE BY WILLIAM v. cox
Impressive Ceremonies Attend the
Unfurling Of Stars and Stripes.
Welcoming Address.

WITH the breaking out OF the
Stars and Stripes. the presenta-
ton OF the Emery building to the
G. A. R.. the acceptance on the
part OF the Grand Army. dedica-
tion OF Camp Emery, brief
addresses and the singing of
America. the big building at
! I'd and c streets northwest, for
merly occupied by the bureau of
the census, and for this week the
official headquarters of the Forty
ninth National Epcampment OF
the Grand Army of the Republic,
was formally turned over to the
uses of the veterans.
The dedicatory ceremonies.
short but impressive, were held
on the south steps of the build
ing, and were participated in by
representatives of the heirs of
Matthew G. Emery, in whose
honor the camp has been named =;
by members OF the various COM
mittees in charge OF the encamp-
ment and others, and were held
in the presence OF hundreds OF
blue-clad. SlOuch-hatted veterans
many Of whom participated in the
grand review and the historic
parade on the Avenue at the close
Of the civil war.
Ceremonies of Presentation.
Scheduled to begin at O'Clock this
morning, it was only a few minutes
later when Harrison Dingman, chair
man Of the ceremonies, called the au-
dience to order and introduced William
Van Zandt Cox, representative of the
heirs Of Capt. Matthew G. Emery. Who
in the names of the heirs, presented the
building to the G. A. r. In his remarks
Mr.. Cox spoke of the troubled days of
isee-Sl. when Matthew G. Emery and
others took the initiative, crystalliZed
the loyal sentiment and organized the
nucleus of the home guard" that help
ed to preserve the nations capital to
the nation
Comrades, and all you young people
within sound of my voice." he said ..it
is hitting that we give our most ap-
preciative recognition of the fact that
Camp Emery is the largest, most con-
venient and best camp we have ever
had at any encampment of the Grand
/ Army
At the end of his remarks Col. McEl-
roy called for three cheers and a tiger
for the descendants of Capt. Emery
the Republic the building it is using
| for the encampment.' These cheers
were given with vim.
W. v. Cox's Address.
| Mr.. Cox said:
! Il am requested by the members Of
| the family of the late Matthew GauIt
Emery to say as their representative
that it gives them genuine pleasure to
/ tender the free use of this immense
, building to the Grand Army of the Re-
, public for its forty y-ninth encampment
This tender is made by the daugh-
/ ters of Mr.. Emery in memory OF their
! father. and a tribute of appreciation
| to those patriotic citizens of the Dis
trict of Columbia, who. in the hour of
were instrumental in saving the ma
tons capital to the Union before the
| arrival of the troops from the north
p, The government supplied these men
! with guns and ammunition. Like their
ancestors of '76, they served without
pay. rations or clothing.
| The task they performed was most
| difficult and extremely trying, as senti-
ment in Washington was aggressively
F., divided on Sectional lines. Neishbor
differed with neighb Dor. the same house
being often hopelessly divided against
5 itseii.
These men. the protectors of the
Capital in 81, realizing that the safety
OF Washington depended on them, per-
formed their duties like veterans
Were Early at the Front.
! These volunteers from the District
I of Columbia, nearly three thousand In
/ number. under that splendid organizer,
/ Gen. Charles P. Stone. were on duty
! when Abraham Lincoln was inaueu-
/ rated. They guarded the public build
| ings, bridges. railroads and approac ches
to Washington and with few regulars
! and marines protected the archives of
the Treasury and property of the gov
ernment. They were at the front for
days. no Union troops being between
| them and the enemy.
! These unthanked minutemen of 1861
are entitled to credit and appreciation.
as they made it possible for the gov
! eminent to live.
THE unrecognized heroes should be
recognized and their service recorded
+, in granite and bronze.
| We are sure this encampment will
| give places of honor to the few who
live and pay a proper tribute to the
! dead.
| And now. MIR. Chairman, I formally
| he hui lin.
| for the purposes of the forty-ninth
encampment. G. A. r.
Acceptance by Mr.. GUIDE.