Evening star., 1927-10-19
PRESIDENT ACCEPTS
MEADE MEMORIAL
AS GIFT TO NATION
Guns Boom as Shaft Is Pre-
sented by Governor of
Pennsylvania.
WAR HERO Is PRAISED
IN GLOWING SPEECHES
Daughter OF General Unveils $400,-
900 Monument at Botanic
Garden.

Amid a flourish of trumpets and
he booming of guns in salute, Presi
dent Coolidge. on behalf of the Ma
ton, this afternoon accepted from the
commonwealth of Pennsylvania the
imposing marble nd gra mite memorial
to Mai. Gen George Gordon Meade.
comma nder Of the Army of the Po
tomac and hero of the battle of
Gettysburg.
The impressive dedication cere-
monies took place before a large and
distinguished company or Federal and
State officials, representatives of the
military and gray-haired veterans of
the Civil War. assembled at the foot
of the 100000 monument in the
Botanic Garden. The formal presenta
ton was made by Gov. John 8,
Fisher Of Pennsylvania.
War Hero Acclaimed.
After calling attention to the fact
that America has ever been the most
generous TO those who have rendered
service in time of war" the President
stated:
ION behalf of the Government of
the Nation which he (Meade) helped
to save, accept this memorial erected
by the commonwealth which was his
own home and the home of his anceS-
tors. The conflict in which he took
such an important part has long since
passed away. The peace which he
loved has come. The reconcilia ton
which he sought is complete. The 10y
atty 10 the flag which he followed is
universal. Through all OF this shines
his immortal fame
President Coolidge pointed out that
We have not only been lavish i'm the
public honors. which have been con-
ferred on our veterans, but we have
also bestowed on them pensions and
gratuities reaching down to every
man in the ranks. with which no other
country can make any comparison"
Such bcneficences accorded to Civil
War veterans. he said, probably win
exceed twice the cost OF that great
war.
The President traced Meades early
career as soldier in the Mexican
War and as an engineer of distinction.
and recounteds in detail his service as
defender of Washington during the
conflict between the States. He laud-
ed Gen. Meade as "a responsible and
reliable comma nder." whose military
abilities and gentlemanly qualities
won him the admiration and respect
not only of his associates, but of his
adverse ries in battle.
Memorial Presented.
Gov. Fisher formally turned the me-
mortal over to the Government with
these words: This group is the gift
of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-
vania. made under authority OF the
act of June IA. 1911, and it's several
supplements. 1t, therefore, becomes
my rare privilege and duty on behalf
of the Meade Memorial Commission,
which is the lawful agency of the
commonwealth, to transfer to you,
Mr.. President, as the representa- tive
of the Government of the United
States, this memorial erected to Penn
sylvania's great soldier"
The governor declared that 'all ad-
nit that the name of Meade will go
down to posterity as great soldier
and as the triumphant commander in
one of the decisive conflicts OF all
times" After giving what he termed
"a thumbnail sketch" Of Meade's ca
reer. Gov. Fisher said:
I'm private life he was as courtly as
in war he was chivalrous. He never
sought preferment or permitted him.
self indulgence in military dramatics.
Whatever he did was dictated by
sound. well.bala need mind. He was
courag geous to the last degree. His
wounds were received in the charging
battle line. His soldiers described him
as the flaming spirit of war when lead
ing the assault.
He was deeply religious His appeals
to his soldiers and his public utter
ances breathe the fervency of a sincere
m iS fa &c nd
needs no monument or uttered speech
or written volume to perpetuate his
services. In erecting this beautiful
memorial, Pennsylvania rather does
herself honor, and simply VindicateS
the judgment of history which has
heen testing him ont for two.thirds of
a century"
Daughter Unveils Shaft.
The actual unveilmS was done by
Miss Henrietta Meade, daughter OF
! Gen. Meade. As she pulled aside the
curtain. revealing the gigantic marble
statuary group with Meade as the
| central figure. A salute Of 13 guns was
fired by platoon OF Battery A. 18th
Field Artillery. simultaneously the
| whole assembly stood at attention.
The ceremonies were simple but
deeply effective. They began with the
blare of trumpets and the gathering
of Cavalry, which heraldsd the arrival
Of Gov. Fisher and members of the
| Meade commission of PENNSYLVANIA.
| The troops, from the Sd Cavalry, Fort
Myer, escor,ed the governor and his
| party from the Mayfiower Hotel fol-
| lowing their arrival there shortly be-
! forehand by automobile.
The exercises were called TO order
! by Senator Simeon D Fess of Ohio.
chairman Of the Senate committee on
| The library and acting chairman OF
the Meade Memorial National Com
| mission. Invocation was, pronounced
! by Rev. Hugh X. Fulton, chaplain,
, Army Reserve Corps.
! Then followed the dedicatory speech
! OF Gov. Fisher, the unveiling by Miss
! Meade. the battery salute and the
/ Presidents address of acceptance.
Sculptor Introduced.
A picturesque feature of the pro.
! gram was the appearance of Past
| Commander n. II. Spayd of the Penn.
| sylvania Department OF the G. A. r..
who gave personal "reminiscences of
Gen. Meade.
Applause greeted the introduction
TO the audience of the sculptor,
Charles Crafty of Philadelphia, and
OF the architects, Edward r.. and
Grant M. Simon. also of Philadelphia.
A prayer OF dedication" by Rev. J..
III. Pershing. chaplain. Department Of
Pennsylvania, q. A. r., concluded the
| program.
Patriotic music hy a military band
| preceded the exercises and number
lCsntinued on Page Z. Column IL