The Washington herald., 1915-09-29
Wilson's Address Cheered.

Lusty cheers by the audience marked
the close Of the address. The President
did not seem the least embarrassed or
displeased at the interruption of nearly
ten minutes caused by the seating diff
Guilty. as was displayed by hi; good-na-
tured remarks at the end of the confu-
sion The President remained through
out the entire exercises. which lasted
about two hours and half. When hf
er. erged from the building to pass to the
White House automobile. the immense
crowds roped back in the streets cheered
wildly.
1t was an immense throng that gath
cred outside the building-many times
larger than the assembly within. First
street between r and streets. and B
street. between First and Second streets.
were roped off to keep the crowds back
Scores of policemen and detectives and
Boy Scouts aided in the work of keeping
! the thronG at bay.
The veterans gathered on the steps at
the street entrance were indignant.
They denounced the seating arrange
ments and those who had them in
charge They declared that the choice
seats had been given to persons not even
interested in the G. A. R., whereas they
were not even permitted to enter the
hall.
Commander-in-chief Palmer hearing of
the indignati ton meeting. decided to eN-
pla in the situa ton and pacify the crowd.
With Senior Vice Commander Connor.
District Commissioner Brownlow. and
Maj. Pullman. he rode along Il street.
bringing the automobile to n halt in
front of the steps. He started to speak.
nut few could hear him. After a few
moments he succeeded in making some
of the veterans laugh. But many of
them would not hear him. and they in
terrupted him with harsh remarks and
even some jeers. The din increased and
the automobile drove off. J. r. Dennie,
department patriotic instructor Of Okla
homa. then addressed the crowd.
This Is an outrage" he began. I'VE
are the men who saved the nation and
vet we are not given consideration. Fully
SEQ seats were vacant, and were held va
cant while thousands Of us veterans were
refused admission to the hall. This Is
grave cause for the raising of our ire.
We should have been given not only
seats. but choice seats, the best In the
hall. 1t won't do now to try and salve
things over. The harm has been done
and it is irreparablc.
Aside from the disturbing interruption.
the citizens reception committee and
semi-official meeting of the G. A. r. were
brilliant and impressive. The Marine
Band in their red uniforms were massed
about the foot of the platform. On the
stage were about 800 distinguished per
sons. including officials of the govern
ment and of the various patriotic organ
izations affiliated with the G. A. r.
President Wilson was greeted with an
outburst of applause and cheering as
he entered. the band playing The Star
Spangled Banner"
Chairman GUIDE rose.
Officer Of the day." he commanded.
you will present the colors.''
With a trumpet flourish by the buglers
of the band the flag was presented by
Capt John Middleton and the Old Guard
platform to the right of President Will
son.
Had it not been for the veterans OF
the Grand Army of the Republic" said
Chairman GUIDE in his Introductory ad-
| dress, there would have been no Ma
| tional Capital such as We boast today.
This city owes all it is to the brave men
| who answered the call of President Lin
| coin for volunteers in those turbulent
days Of 81. And so for this reason We
have double cause to welcome you to the
| Capital City"
"The Star spansied Banner was sung
by Paul Bleyden, accompanied by the
Marine Band. Following President Will
sons address, Commander-in- Chief Pal
mer spoke.
The G. A. R. stands solidly behind
| the President in all the difficulties which
now are confronting him." he declared.
| This organization stands for honorable
peace all the time. without the sacrifice
of a single right on land or sea. The
Sons of Veterans are on the line ready
| to come to the aid Of the nation In case
of emergency. and the good women Of
the various patriotic organizations are
standing with US all the time
History written in the blood Of
patriots Il sacred. There IL only one
thing more sacred. and that II Holy
Writ History written In the blood Of