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M'clellan Statue

M'clellan Statue image
Parent Issue
Day
26
Month
October
Year
1894
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Philadelphia, Oct. 25. - Amid patriotio acldresses, the playing of bands Innumerable and the shouts of the assembled multitude, the bronze equostrian statue ol General Qeorge B. McClellanwasunveiled at tho irtheast corner of the city hall plaza. In accordanco wlth n proclamation of Mayor Stuart, tho day was observed as a ffoneral holiday, and public and private buildings, as well as a large nuinber of residences, were fnsely deoorated with flags and bunting. The eqereises of the day began with a grand civic and military pageant, uuequaled in the history of the city as a demonstration of popular respect and affection. The procession formed shortly after la o'clock at Broad and Huntingdon streets and marched down Broad stnvt, passing the ruviewing stand at the publio buildings. Twelve Thousand in the Parade. The windows and roofs along the line of march were crowded with spectators, and the parade passed between a continuoua volley of checrs. Twelvo thousand people were in line, a third of thls number belonging to the National Guard of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. An equal number of veteran soldiers turned out to domonstrate the love and respect they bear the meinory of their old commander. The place of honor was accorded the survivors of the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry Volunteers (Rush's Lancers). Among the civic and semi-military organizations which participated were the Loyal Legión, the Girard College Cadets, the Sons of Veterans, the Society of the Cincinnati, the Union Veteran assooiation, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Sons of the Society of the War of 1812. Only Okl Glory Was Carried. Colonel R. tí Edwards acted as chief marshal. A notable feature of the parade was the absence of all kinds of ilags, banners and trophies, except the plain stars and stripes. As the procession neared the reviewing stand u major general's salute of seventeen gans was flred. The mammoth stand erected for the occasion was occupied by more than 20C distinguished visitors from all parts of the country, ineluding General Schofield, General Howard, General Daniel Sickles, General J.Iames A. Beaver, Secretary of War Lcimont; General Sewell, of New Jersey; Governor Pattison, of Pennsylvania, and Governor Werts, of New Jersey. The Speakers on the Occasion. General William F. Smith, president of the McClellan Memorial association, presided over the unveiling ceremonies and the oration of the day was deli%rered by General W. B. Franklin, of Hartford] Conn., who commanded one of the grand divisions of the Army of the Potomac under General McClellan. Major Moses Veale made the presentation speech, to which response was made on behalf of tho city by Mayor Stuart. As the stars and stripes were pulled from the statue, showing the life-like representaron of Little Mac seated upon a spirited charger, a deafening shout burst from tho assombled veterans. As a grand finale the military bands present played "The Star Spangled Banner." How the Money Was Kaised. It is nearly nine yoars sinco tho project to erect a monument to General McClellan was started. The day after his death, on Oct. 29, 1885, ex-Mayor Smith appointed a committee to represent the city at thci funeral. Upon their return they determined to erect a monument, but after raising a few hundred dollars they concludcd that sufiicient funds could not be secured; In the meantime a number of clubs formed the McClellan Memorial association, and the funds on hand were turned over to them. From this small sum, after many vicissitudes, the money has been raised. The statue is of heroio sizi-, and was cast by the Ames Manufacturing company, of Chicopee, Mass. It was cast in soine dozen pieces, weighing 8,000 pounds Tho total cost, ineluding the pedestal, is $19,000.

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Subjects
Ann Arbor Argus
Old News