Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1887 — GARFIELD IN BRONZE. [ARTICLE]

GARFIELD IN BRONZE.

Sculptor Ward’s Statue cf the r Dead Statesman and Soldier Unveiled. Many Distinguished People Present— The President’s Eloquent Tribute. Reunion of the Army of the Cumberland—The Next Meeting tff Be . Held at Chicago.

|Washington spacial.] The Army of the Cumberland conli 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 Elated Generals Sherman, Sheridan, and Rosecrans, three of the four living commanders of the Army ,of the Cumberland. On a grand stand near the statue s-ats had been arranged for 1,500 persons. -Just before 1 o'clock the invited guests began to airive. James and Harry Garfield were escorted to seats by Gen. Mussey, while Col. Wilson performed a similar office for the aged W. W. Corcoran. Secretary Bayard and Attorney Gerferal Garland were among the early arrivals. The members of the Supreme Court of the United States came in a body. The District Judiciary, members of 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 Vilas, ami Col. Lamont. Ex-Secretary Windom and exAttorney 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 tho Cumberland, with these distinguished guests, aro assembled here to-dav 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. Warten. Keifer, who, oa 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: I—Mnr-BRKSi&EMZ—Tbis statue which has been unveiled in your presence to-day was erected by the comrades of Gen. Garfield belonging to tho Army of the Cumberland. They recognized Tiis merit as a soldier and tney 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 olftho 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 —In performance of the duty assigned to me cn 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 Cum- . berland 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 statues multiply 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 puisuits, 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 tiiese things and more which challenge admiration in American character—loving tenderness in every domestic relation, bravery on the field of battle, lame a,n<l distinction. in our halls of legi'HatTbn, and the highest honor ■■■and dignity in the chief magistracy of the nation. This stately effigy shall not fail to teach every beholder that tne 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 aa this statue stands let it be proudly remembered that to every American citizen the way is open to lame 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 ’ail to recall the tragedy of a death which brought grief and mourning to every 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 our polit:cal methods and from the operation of our Government the perversions and misconceptions which gave birth to passionate and bloodv 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 dedicat;Oii 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, who was the pastor of General Garfield’s church in this city, pronounced the benediction. The troops were then dismissed and the ceremonies came to an end. At the buinesss meeting this morning of the society Colonel Henry Stone, of Boston, was selected as the orator, and Colonel Wm, McMichael of New York, as alternate of the next reunion. Chicago was selected as the place, and Chickamauga week in September, 1888, afi the time for holding the next reunion.

Child —“ Grandpa, how old are you Grandpa—“l am b 7 years old, my little dear.” Child —“Then /on were born eighty years before I was.” Grandpa—- “ Yes, my little girl.” Child—“ What a long, long time you had alone waiting for me.”- Gospel Age. __ O' . The only time in life when a woman seems to be happy is when she calmly sits aud attempts to trim a new bonnet with old trimmings. She seems to be trulf happy, but what a Vesuvius is at work within her.