Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1887 — GARFIELD IN BRONZE [ARTICLE]

GARFIELD IN BRONZE

Sculptor Ward’s Statue of the Dead Statesman and Soldier Unveiled. Many Distinguished People Present— The President’s Eloquent Tribute. Reunion of the Army of the Cumberland—The Next Meeting to Be Held at Chicago. [Washington special.] The Army of the Cumberland could not have had a more perfect day for their dedication exercises. Promptly at 11:30 o'clock General Baird, Chief Marshal of the parade, gave the signal for marching, and the procession started. A platoon of mounted police led the way, followed by General Baird and his aids, who preceded a carriage in which was seated Generals Sherman, Sheridan, and Rogeorans, three of the four living commanders of the Army of the Cumberland. On a grand stand near the statue seats had been arranged for 1,500 persons. Just before 1 o’clock the invited guests began to arrive. James and Harr.y Garfield were escorted to seats by Gen. Mussey, while Col. Wilson performed a similar officefor the aged W. W. Corcoran. Secretary Bayaid and Attorney General Garland were among the early arrivals. The members of the Supreme Court of the United States came in a body. The District Judiciary, members o’ the Court of Claims, and District Commissioners were also present. At 1 o’clock Gens. Sherman, Sheridan, and Rosecrans and Gov. Curtin arrived in a carriage, just after the head of the procession made its appearance. They were soon followed by President Cleveland, escorted by Gen. Anderson, and Secretary and Mrs. Fairchild, Secretary and Mrs. Lamar, Postmaster General Visas, and Col. Lamont. Ex-Secretary Windom and exAttomey General MacVeagh of President Garfield's Cabinet were among the guests present. At 1:10 o’clock Marshal Wilson, taking his place on the stand, said: Ladies and Gentlemen—The Society of the Army of the Cumberland, with these distinguished guests, are assembled here to-day for the purpose of unveiling the statue of that eminent statesman and soldier, James A. Garfield. The exercises will be opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Giesy. There was a short lull in the proceedings while a battery of artillery fired a national salute. Gen. Sheridan then introduced, the orator of the day, Gen. J. Warren Keifer, who, on the part of the Monument Committee, delivered an address transferring the statue to Gen. Sheridan. At its conclusion Gen. Sheridan, in behalf of the society, transferred the statue to the President in the following words: Mn. President—This statue which has been unveiled in your presence to-day was erected, by the comrades of Gen. Garfield belonging to the Army of the Cumberland. They recognized his merit as a soldier and tuey wished to pay some testimony to that merit and to his worth as a man. I have the honor, sir, on behalf of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, to ask you as the representative of the .American people to accept the statue from their hands as it was given to,me. [Applause.] The President, who arose as Gen. Sheridan began speaking, then began his address, accepting the statue as a gift to the nation. Fellow-citizens—ln performance of the duty assigned to me on this occasion. I hereby accept, on behalf of the people of the United States, this complete and beautiful statue. Amid the interchange of fraternal greetings between the survivors of the Army of the Cumberland and their former foes upon the battlefield, and while the Union General and the people’s President await burial, the common grief of these magnanimous survivors and mourning citizens found expression in the determination, to erect this tribute to American greatness ; and thus to-day, in its symmetry and beauty, it. presents a sign of animosities forgotten, an emblem of a brotherhood redeemed, and a token of a nation restored. Monuments and statuesmultiply throughout the land, fittingly illustrative of the love and affection of our grateful people, and commemorating brave and patriotic sacrifices in war, fame in peaceful pin suits, or honor in public station. But from this day forth there shall stand at our seat of government this statue of a distinguished citizen, who in his life and services combined all these things and more which challenge admiration in American character—loving tenderness in every domestic relation, bravery on the field of battle, fame and distinction in our halls of legislation, and the highest honor and dignity in the chief magistracy of the nation. This stately effigy shall not fail to teach every beholder that the source of American greatness is confined to no condition nor dependent alone for its growth and development upon favorable surroundings. The genius of our national life beckons to usefulness and honor those in every sphere and offers the highest preferment to manly hopes and sturdy, honest effort, chastened and consecrated by patriotic hopes and aspirations. As long as this statue stands let it be proudly remembered that to every American citizen the way is opento fame and station, until he—- “ Moving up from high to higher, Becomes on fortune’s crowning slope ' The pillar of a people’s hope, The center of a world’s desire.” Nor can we forget that it also teaches our people a sad and distressing lesson, and the thoughtful citizen who views its fair proportions cannot fail to recall the tragedy of a death, which brought grief and mourning to everv household in the land. But, while American citizenship stands aghast and affrighted that murder and assassination should lurk in the midst of a free people and strike down the head, of their Government, a fearless search and the discovery of the origin and hiding-place of these hateful and unnatural things should be followed by a solemn resolve to purge forever from ounmolitical methods and from the operation of our Government the perversions and misconceptions which gave birth to passionate and bloody thoughts. If from this hour our admiration of the bravery and nobility of American manhood and our faith in the possibilities and opportunities of American-citizenship be renewed; if our appreciation of the blessing of a restored Union and love for our Government be strengthened, and if our watchfulness against the dangers of a mad chase after partisan spoils be quickened, the dedication of this statue to the people of the United States will not be in vain. The President was frequently interrupted by outburst of applause. When he had concluded the band played “Hail, Columbia,” and the Rev. F. D. Power, whowas the pastor of General Garfield’s church in this city, pronounced the benediction. The troops were then dismissed and theceremonies came to an end. At the buinesss meeting this morning of the society Colonel Hemy Stone, of Boston, was selected afl the orator, and Colonel Wm. McMichael of New York, as alternateof the next reunion. Chicago was selected as the place, and Chickamauga week in. September, 1888, as the time for holding, the next reunion. <