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.