building may continue to be to all your population that which it
should be--an edifice opening its doors from night to night, calling
your people here away from the care of business to those enjoyments,
and pursuits, and entertainments which develop the souls of men
[applause], which will have power to inspire those whose lives are
heavy with daily toil, and in its magnificent and enchanting presence
lift them for a time out of these dull things into those higher things
where men should live. [Great applause.]
CLEVELAND, OHIO, MAY 30, 1890.
_Garfield Memorial Dedication._
On Decoration Day, 1890, President Harrison and Vice-President Morton,
accompanied by Secretary Windom, Postmaster-General Wanamaker,
Attorney-General Miller, Secretary of Agriculture Rusk, and Marshal
Daniel M. Ransdell, visited the city of Cleveland for the purpose of
participating in the dedication of the grand mausoleum erected to the
memory of the lamented President James Abram Garfield. Fifty thousand
people greeted the President and his party on arrival.
The mausoleum is situated in Lake View Cemetery, overlooking a region
closely associated with Garfield's memory; it is built of Ohio
sandstone--a large and imposing circular tower 50 feet in diameter,
rising 180 feet. At the base projects a square porch, decorated
externally with an historical frieze, divided into panels containing
life-size bas-reliefs picturing the career of Garfield as teacher,
statesman, soldier, and President. This imposing monument was erected
under the auspices of the Garfield National Memorial Association, whose
officers were: Rutherford B. Hayes, President; J. H. Wade and T. P.
Handy, Vice-Presidents; Amos Townsend, Secretary. The Trustees of the
Association were: Charles Foster, R. B. Hayes, James G. Blaine, H. B.
Payne, J. H. Wade, Dan'l P. Eells, J. H. Rhodes, James Barnett, John
Hay, T. P. Handy, J. B. Parsons, William Bingham, W. S. Streator, and H.
C. White. The memorial cost $150,000, of which $75,000 was contributed
by citizens of Cleveland; the architect was George Keller, of Hartford,
Connecticut.
More than 100,000 people witnessed the parade and the dedicatory
ceremonies, which were conducted under the auspices of the Grand
Commandery, Knights Templars of Ohio--Right Eminent Henry Perkins,
of Akron, Grand Commander; Very Eminent William B. Melish, of
Cincinnati, Grand Marshal; Eminent Sir Huntington Brown, of Mansfield,
Generalissimo; Eminent Sir L. F. Van Cleve, of Cincinnati, Grand
Prelate; Eminent Sir H. P. McIntosh, of Cleveland, Grand Senior Warden;
and Eminent Sir J. Burton Parsons, of Cleveland, Grand Treasurer.
The committee to receive and entertain the guests from other cities
comprised the following prominent residents of Cleveland: Hon. J. H.
Wade, Dan'l P. Eells, M. A. Hanna, Col. William Edwards, Hon. R. C.
Parsons, Henry D. Coffinberry, Gen. M. D. Leggett, Hon. George H.
Ely, Hon. Joseph Turney, Samuel Andrews, Hon. S. Buhrer, Hon. H. B.
Payne, Charles F. Brush, Hon. Charles A. Otis, R. K. Hawley, William
Chisholm, H. R. Hatch, W. J. McKinnie, John Tod, Hon. N. B. Sherwin,
L. E. Holden, George W. Howe, Samuel L. Mather, Judge S. Burke, Col.
John Hay, Hon. T. E. Burton, Hon. R. R. Herrick, Selah Chamberlain,
A. Wiener, Charles Wesley, Hon. Lee McBride, Hon. O. J. Hodge, H. C.
Ranney, G. E. Herrick, Hon. W. W. Armstrong, S. T. Everett, Judge J.
M. Jones, Hon. J. H. Farley, Hon. G. W. Gardner, R. R. Rhodes, J. B.
Zerbe, Samuel W. Sessions, Louis H. Severance, Hon. M. A. Foran, Hon.
C. B. Lockwood, Hon. William Bingham, John F. Whitelaw, Fayette Brown,
Capt. P. G. Watmough, E. R. Perkins, Bolivar Butts, George T. Chapman,
Hon. D. A. Dangler, Charles Hickox, and George W. Pack. Committee on
Finance: John H. McBride, Myron T. Herrick, S. C. Ford, Joseph Turney,
Charles L. Pack, H. S. Whittlesey, H. R. Groff, Percy W. Rice, Charles
H. Bulkley, Douglas Perkins, Kaufman Hays, M. A. Hanna, T. S. Knight,
James Parmelee, I. P. Lampson, Samuel Mather, O. M. Stafford, C. J.
Sheffield, Harvey H. Brown, J. K. Bole, Dan'l P. Eells, H. R. Hatch,
John F. Pankhurst, John Tod, and George P. Welch.
The event called together one of the most distinguished assemblies of
the decade. Among the guests not previously mentioned--who occupied
places of honor--were Gen. William T. Sherman, Chief-Justice Melville
W. Fuller, Maj.-Gen. John M. Schofield, ex-Postmaster-General Thomas L.
James, Gov. James E. Campbell, Lieutenant-Governor Marquis, Hon. William
McKinley, Jr., Bishop William A. Leonard, Bishop Gilmour, Col. Wm. Perry
Fogg, and many others. Mrs. Garfield was accompanied by her four sons,
her daughter, and General and Mrs. John Newell.
The spectacular event of the day was the grand military and civic
parade, participated in by President Harrison and the other guests.
Six thousand men were in line, commanded by Chief Marshal Gen. James
Barnett and a brilliant staff. At the head of the great column marched
115 survivors of Garfield's old regiment--the Forty-second Ohio--led by
Capt. C. E. Henry, of Dallas, Texas, the Colonel, Judge Don A. Pardee,
being absent. The procession comprised twelve divisions, commanded by
the following marshals: Capt. J. B. Molyneaux, Gen. M. D. Leggett, Col.
W. H. Hayward, Em. Sir M. J. Houck, Col. Louis Black, Col. John Dunn,
Capt. E. H. Bohm, Captain McNiel, Capt. Louis Perczel, Col. Allen T.
Brinsmade, Col. C. L. Alderson, and Capt. M. G. Browne.
Ex-President Hayes officiated as Chairman of the dedicatory meeting
at the mausoleum, and introduced Hon. Jacob D. Cox, of Cincinnati,
who delivered the oration of the occasion. Many other distinguished
men spoke briefly. When the Chairman introduced President Harrison an
ovation was tendered him, and almost every sentence of his address was
enthusiastically cheered.
The President spoke with great earnestness. He said:
_Mr. Chairman and Fellow-citizens_--I thank you most sincerely
for this cordial greeting, but I shall not be betrayed by it into a
lengthy speech. The selection of this day for these exercises--a day
consecrated to the memory of those who died that there might be one
flag of honor and authority in this republic--is most fitting. That
one flag encircles us with its folds to-day, the unrivalled object of
our loyal love.
This monument, so imposing and tasteful, fittingly typifies the
grand and symmetrical character of him in whose honor it has been
builded. His was "the arduous greatness of things done." No friendly
hands constructed and placed for his ambition a ladder upon which
he might climb. His own brave hands framed and nailed the cleats
upon which he climbed to the heights of public usefulness and fame.
He never ceased to be student and instructor. Turning from peaceful
pursuits to army service, he quickly mastered tactics and strategy,
and in a brief army career taught some valuable lessons in military
science. Turning again from the field to the councils of state, he
stood among the great debaters that have made our National Congress
illustrious. What he might have been or done as President of the
United States is chiefly left to friendly augury, based upon a career
that had no incident of failure or inadequacy. The cruel circumstances
attending his death had but one amelioration--that space of life was
given him to teach from his dying bed a great lesson of patience and
forbearance. His mortal part will find honorable rest here, but the
lessons of his life and death will continue to be instructive and
inspiring incidents in American history. [Great applause.]
BOSTON, AUGUST 11, 1890.
_The Guest of Massachusetts._
Monday afternoon, August 11, the cruiser _Baltimore_, bearing President
Harrison, Secretary Rusk, Secretary Noble, and a number of friends,
entered Boston harbor, saluted by the _Atlanta_, the _Kearsage_,
the _Petrel_, the _Yorktown_, the _Dolphin_, the dynamite cruiser
_Vesuvius_, and the torpedo-boat _Cushing_. The distinguished guests
were met by the Hon. John Q. A. Brackett, Governor of Massachusetts;
Hon. Alanson W. Beard, Collector of the Port; Adj.-Gen. Samuel Dalton,
Surg.-Gen. Alfred F. Holt, Judge Adv. Gen. Edward O. Shepard, Col.
Sidney M. Hedges, Col. Wm. P. Stoddard, Col. Samuel E. Winslow, and
Col. Edward V. Mitchell, of the Governor's military staff; Hon. Thomas
N. Hart, Mayor of Boston; Hon. Geo. L. Goodale, Chairman Executive
Committee National Encampment, G. A. R.; Hon. John D. Long, President
National Encampment Committee; Hon. E. S. Converse, Treasurer; and
Secretary Silas A. Barton.
Many thousand visiting veterans greeted the head of the Nation as he
passed through the historic streets escorted by the First Battalion of
Cavalry. Arrived at the Hotel Vendome, the President and his party, as
guests of the Commonwealth, attended a State banquet, presided over
by Governor Brackett. There was no speech-making. Other distinguished
guests were Vice-President Morton, Secretaries Proctor and Tracy,
General Sherman, Admiral Gherardi, Gov. Leon Abbett, of New Jersey,
and Lieutenant-Governor Hale, of Massachusetts. Later in the evening
Governor Brackett and staff escorted the President to the Parker House,
where they participated in a reception given by E. W. Kinsley Post of
Boston to Lafayette Post 149 of New York. Many veterans of national
fame were present, among them Gen. Lucius Fairchild, Gen. Dan'l E.
Sickles, Corporal James Tanner, ex-Gov. Austin Blair, of Michigan,
Commander Viele, of Lafayette Post, and the following prominent citizens
of Massachusetts, comprising the Reception Committee of the National
Encampment: Hon. Henry H. Sprague, President Massachusetts Senate; Hon.
Wm. E. Barrett, Speaker Massachusetts House; Hon. Wm. Power Wilson,
Chairman Boston Aldermen; Horace G. Allen, President Common Council;
Hon. John F. Andrew, Geo. H. Innis, Charles E. Osgood, Arthur A. Fowle,
Fred C. King, Paul H. Kendricken, J. H. O'Neil, Joel Goldthwaite, Hon.
Charles J. Noyes, Hon. E. A. Stevens, Horace G. Allen, Capt. Nathan
Appleton, Col. Albert Clarke, Chas. D. Rohan, F. C. Brownell, and
A. S. Fowle, of Boston; Gen. A. B. R. Sprague and Col. H. E. Smith,
of Worcester; John W. Hersey, of Springfield; John M. Deane, Fall
River; Gen. J. W. Kimball, Fitchburg; Maj. Geo. S. Merrill, Lawrence;
Wm. H. Lee, Greenwood; S. W. Benson, Charlestown; Joseph O. Burdett,
Hingham; Col. Myron P. Walker, Belchertown; and Arthur A. Smith, of
Griswoldsville. The reception concluded with a banquet. Col. Charles L.
Taylor acted as toastmaster and presented General Harrison, who received
an ovation.
In response to these cordial greetings the President said:
_Comrades_--I do not count it the least of those fortunate
circumstances which have occasionally appeared in my life that I am
able to be here to-night to address you as comrades of the Grand Army
of the United States. [Great applause.] It is an association great
in its achievement and altogether worthy of perpetuation until the
last of its members have fallen into an honorable grave. It is not my
purpose to-night to address you in an extended speech, but only to say
that, whether walking with you in the private pursuits of life, or
holding a place of official responsibility, I can never, in either,
forget those who upheld the flag of this Nation in those days when
it was in peril. Everything that was worthy of preservation in our
history past, everything that is glowing and glorious in the future,
which we confront, turned upon the issue of that strife in which you
were engaged. Will you permit me to wish for each of you a life full
of all sweetness, and that each of you may preserve, undimmed, the
love for the flag which called you from your homes to stand under its
folds amid the shock of battle and amid dying men. I believe there are
indications to-day in this country of a revived love for the flag.
[Applause.] I could wish that no American citizen would look upon it
without saluting it. [Loud applause.]
BOSTON, AUGUST 12.
_G. A. R. National Encampment._
The morning of August 12 the President and the several members of his
Cabinet, with Vice-President Morton, Governor Brackett, Mayor Hart,
General Sherman, Governor Dillingham and staff, of Vermont; Governor
Davis, of Rhode Island; Hon. William McKinley, Hon. Henry Cabot Lodge,
Mrs. John A. Logan, Mrs. R. A. Alger, Mrs. McKee, Mrs. A. L. Coolidge,
and Lillian Nordica, the _prima donna_, reviewed the grand parade of the
veterans from a stand in Copley Square. As the head of the great column
appeared, led by Commander-in-Chief R. A. Alger, with mounted staff
and escort numbering 600 officers, the President and his Cabinet arose
and saluted the veterans. General Alger and Gen. B. F. Butler reviewed
the column from a stand in Adams Square. The parade was five hours and
thirty-five minutes in passing.
In the evening the Mayor's Club of Boston tendered a banquet to
President Harrison and other distinguished visitors. Mayor Fisher, of
Waltham, introduced the Chief Executive, who said:
_Mr. Chairman_--I wish only to thank you for this cordial welcome.
Being upon my feet, I cannot refrain from expressing here my deep
sense of gratitude for all the evidences of friendliness which have
been shown me during my brief stay in Boston. The President of the
United States, whosoever he may have been, from the first to the last,
has always found in the citizenship of Massachusetts stanch supporters
of the Union's Constitution. [Applause.] It has never occurred that he
has called upon this great commonwealth for support that it has not
been cordially and bravely rendered. In this magnificent parade which
we have seen to-day of the survivors of the Massachusetts regiments
in the war for the Union, and in this magnificent parade of the Sons
of Veterans, coming on now to take the fathers' place in civil life
and to stand as they were in their day as bulwarks of the Nation's
defence, we have seen a magnificent evidence of what Massachusetts has
done in defence of the Union and of the flag, and in these young men
sure promise of what she would do again if the exigencies should call
upon her to give her blood in a similar cause. [Applause.]
Let me again cordially thank you for your interest and friendliness
and to bid you good-night, and, as I must leave you to-night for
Washington, to hope that the closing exercises of this grand and
instructive week may be pleasant, and as the outcome of it all that
there may be kindled in the hearts of you all, and of these comrades
of the Grand Army of the Republic, a newer love for the flag and for
the Constitution, and that this may all inure to us in social, family,
and public life. [Applause and cheers.]
Quitting the Mayor's banquet, the President and members of the Cabinet,
with Admiral Gherardi and staff, proceeded to Mechanics' Hall,
where a joint reception of the Grand Army and Woman's Relief Corps
was in progress. At least 15,000 people greeted the arrival of the
distinguished visitors. On the platform with the President's party were
Miss Florence Barker, first President Woman's Relief Corps; Mrs. Annie
Wittenmyer, National President; Miss Clara Barton, President Red Cross
Association; Mrs. Mary E. Knowles, Massachusetts Department President;
Mrs. Cheney, National Secretary; Mrs. Lynch, National Treasurer; Mrs.
Nichols, National Inspector of the Relief Corps; Department Commander
T. S. Clarkson, Nebraska; Department Commander P. H. Darling, Ohio;
Governor Brackett and Congressman McKinley. George H. Innis, Commander
Massachusetts Department, welcomed the visiting comrades. Other speakers
were General Sherman, Commander-in-Chief Alger, and Vice-President
Morton.
General Harrison was introduced as Comrade Harrison, President of the
United States, and was greeted with tremendous applause. He spoke as
follows:
_Mr. Chairman and Comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic_--I
had impressions both pleasurable and painful as I looked upon the
great procession of veterans which swept through the streets of this
historic capital to-day; pleasurable in the contemplation of so
many faces of those who shared together the perils and glories of
the great struggle for the Union; sensations of a mournful sort as
I thought how seldom we should meet again. Not many times more here.
As I have stood in the great national cemetery at Arlington and have
seen those silent battalions of the dead, I have thought how swiftly
the reaper is doing his work and how soon in the scattered cemeteries
of the land the ashes of all the soldiers of the great war shall be
gathered to honored graves. And yet I could not help but feel that
in the sturdy tread of those battalions there was yet strength of
heart and limb that would not be withheld if a present peril should
confront the Nation that you love. [Applause.] And if Arlington is
the death, we see to-day in the springing step of those magnificent
battalions of the Sons of Veterans the resurrection. [Applause.] They
are coming on to take our places, the Nation will not be defenceless
when we are gone, but those who have read about the firesides of the
veterans' homes, in which they have been born and reared, the lessons
of patriotism and the stories of heroism will come fresh armed to any
conflict that may confront us in the future. [Applause.]
And so to-night we may gather from this magnificent spectacle a
fresh and strong sense of security for the permanency of our country
and our free institutions. I thought it altogether proper that I
should take a brief furlough from official duties at Washington to
mingle with you here to-day as a comrade [applause], because every
President of the United States must realize that the strength of the
Government, its defence in war, the army that is to muster under its
banner when our Nation is assailed, is to be found here in the masses
of our people. [Applause and cries of "Good!"] And so, as my furlough
is almost done, and the train is already waiting that must bear me
back to Washington, I can only express again the cordial, sincere,
and fraternal interest which I feel this day in meeting you all. I
can only hope that God will so order the years that are left to you
that for you and those who are dear to you they may be ordered in all
gentleness and sweetness, in all prosperity and success, and that,
when at last the comrades who survive you shall wrap the flag of the
Union about your body and bear it to the grave, you may die in peace
and in the hope of a glorious resurrection! [Applause.]
CRESSON, PENNSYLVANIA, SEPTEMBER 13.
Nearly 1,000 veterans from the several G. A. R. posts of Altoona,
Tyronne, and Holidaysburg visited Cresson on September 13, 1890, for
the purpose of paying their respects to President Harrison. General
Ekin and Col. Theo. Burchfield headed the delegation. Other prominent
veterans were Post Commanders Painter, Beighel, Lewis, and Calvin; J.
C. Walters, W. H. Fentiman, Rob't Howe, Maj. John R. Garden, George
Kuhn, William Aiken, Oliver Sponsler, Wm. Guyer, Hon. J. W. Curry,
Capt. Joseph W. Gardner, and ex-Mayor Breth, of Altoona. The President
received the veterans at the Mountain House. After the reception J. D.
Hicks delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of the veterans.
General Harrison, speaking from the balcony of the hotel, warmly thanked
his comrades for their good wishes, and in mentioning the events of
the war referred feelingly to the tragic death of the great Lincoln
and the memorable words of Garfield on that occasion. His reference to
the Constitution and the flag, and the love of the people for them,
elicited a hearty response. He concluded as follows: "Now, my comrades,
who have suffered and still suffer for your country, I wish in this
world all good to you and your dear ones, and in the world to come joy
everlasting."
OSCEOLA, PENNSYLVANIA, SEPTEMBER 20.
During the stay of the President and his family at Cresson Springs
in September, 1890, they made an excursion through the celebrated
Clearfield coal regions, under the guidance of Frank L. Sheppard,
General Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Geo. W. Boyd, Ass't
Gen'l Passenger Agent, Gen. D. H. Hastings, and S. S. Blair. The party
comprised the President and Mrs. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. McKee,
Mrs. Dimmick, and Miss Alice Sanger, accompanied by Hon. John Patton,
of Curwensville, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Dill, of Clearfield, and F. N.
Barksdale.
The first point visited was Osceola, where 5,000 people tendered the
President a rousing reception. The Committee of Reception were Geo. M.
Brisbin, D. R. Good, R. J. Walker, T. C. Heims, and J. R. Paisley. The
veterans of McLarren Post, G. A. R., acted as an escort through the town
from one depot to the other. The President briefly thanked the veterans
and citizens for extending him such a cordial reception.
HOUTZDALE, PENNSYLVANIA, SEPTEMBER 20.
Arrived at Houtzdale, about noon Saturday, the President and his party
were welcomed by an assemblage numbering fully 10,000. They were met at
Osceola by an escort committee consisting of G. W. Dickey, Abe Feldman,
Julius Viebahn, Thos. Rolands, B. W. Hess, W. E. Meek, W. C. Davis, W.
B. Hamilton, J. V. Henderson, J. B. McGrath, James White, D. W. Smith,
John Charlton, W. H. Patterson, and Thomas Byers.
All work in the mines and stores was suspended for the day, and the
visit of the Chief Magistrate was celebrated with a grand parade and
demonstration directed by Chief Burgess John Argyle, aided by the G. A.
R. veterans. The President was received by the following committee of
prominent citizens: W. Irvin Shaw, Esq., of the Clearfield County Bar;
W. C. Langsford, Alex. Monteith, John F. Farrell, Geo. P. Jones, Joseph
Delehunt, Harry Roach, Ad. Hanson, S. T. Henderson, R. R. Fleming, and
E. J. Duffy. The veterans of Wm. H. Kinkead Post acted as a guard of
honor to the President during the parade.
A notable incident of the demonstration was the reception by the
children of the parochial school. After the parade the formal reception
of the distinguished visitors took place in the presence of the great
assemblage. John F. Farrell presided, and introduced Chairman W. I.
Shaw, who delivered an eloquent address of welcome on behalf of the
citizens.
President Harrison responded as follows:
_My Fellow-citizens_--I beg to assure you that I very highly
appreciate your cordial welcome. I did not need the assurance of
him who has spoken in your name that we are welcome in this home of
profit and industry. As I have passed along the streets, and as I
now look into your eyes, I have read welcome in every face. I do not
regard this greeting as personal. How can it be, since you look into
my face as I into yours for the first time? I assume that in this
demonstration you are evidencing your loyalty and fidelity to the
Government of which we are all citizens.
You welcome me as one who, for the time being by your choice, is
charged with the execution of the law. It is a great thing to be a
citizen of this country, and the privilege has its corresponding
obligations. This Government can never be wrecked by the treason or
fault of those who for the time are placed in public position so
long as the people are true to the principles of the Government and
to the flag. [Applause.] Set your love upon the flag and that which
it represents. Be ready, if occasion should call, to defend it, as
my brave comrades did in the time of its greatest peril. Honor it
in peace, cherish your loyal institutions, civil and educational;
maintain social order in your community, let every one have respect
for the rights and privileges of others while asserting his own.
These are the springs of our national and social life. If these
springs are kept pure and strong the great river they form will ever
flow on in purity and majesty. If local interests are carefully
preserved the general good is secured, and all our people, each in his
own place--the place where he labors, the place where he lives, the
roof under which his family is sheltered--will continue to enjoy the
benison of liberty in the fear of God.
To every one of you, those who come from the village shops, those
who come from the mines and every vocation of life to join in this
welcome, let me declare that I have no other purpose as President of
the United States than to so administer my office as to promote the
general good of all our people. [Great applause.]
PHILIPSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, SEPTEMBER 20.