The Boys In Blue

On Thursday, December 3, 1886, the dedIcation of the State Soldier' Home at Grand Rapids took place, with a large audience present. The exercises at the home began at one o'olock. üpon atemporary pavilion erected in the central vestibule sat Governor Alger and his staff, Governor-olect Luce, DepartmenfrCommander Northwood and his staff, ex-Senator Ferry, Gofernor Blair, ConKressmen Allen and Cutcheon and othor distinguished guests. The pavilion was appropriately decorated, among its ornainentations being a tattered old battlc (lag of General Grant and draped picture of General Logan. After the song "America" was rendered, Commander Northwood said: In the name of the Grand Army of the Republic I dedícate thls home to the memory of those who in the navy íjuarded our inlana seas and ocean coasts: of those wbo In the army fought for our hillsides, valleys and plains and feil in defense of the llag; of those who on land and sea fought for the Union, for the authorlty of the Constitution and for their country. Governor, our service of dedication is ended. In the name of my comrades I thank you and those you represent for jour eourtcsy In perjnitting us thus to dedícate this home. Governor Alger then spoke as folio ws: Veterans- This occasion which we had iooked forward to, anticipatlng a joyous gatherIng, has been turned to one of sadness. One of our great leaders, the idol of the volunteer soldier, and chief among them all, has passed from earth through the goldon gales to hi rcward. How fondly and with what pride we called the name of John A. Logan ! Instead of having his presencc here to-day, as was expected, and Ustening to hls flery eloquence that would carry us, in imagination, throught that mlghly struggle, whcn the Ufe of the Natlon was at stake, his body lies cold In death and the Nation Is in tears. Groat heart: Gallant soldier! The truest of friends! "The bravest of the brave," farewell 1 Very soon the veterans here and everywhere in this great land, who to-day bow their hcads in grief ovei their irreparable loss, will }oln you on the other side I To the grief-strlcken wife who stood by the Bide of this grand soldier in prosperity and In every trial until the end, we tender our heartfeit pympathy. May a stronger hand than earth can glve bear her up as shc journeys throagh life alone. Soldiere, the part assigned me here to-day is to weloome you to this beautlful home, proTided for you by a grateful people who are glad to care for you when you are unable to care foi yourselves. You do not come here as paupers. The great State of Michigan does not name you thus, but in her gratitude that in the hour of our country's peril you with brave hearts and in the vigor of youtb volunteered to face the enemy that nc one of them should set foot upon her goil, she welcomes you here. Here Is ond shall continue to be your home until, oni; by one, you are mustred out. And, whil this poor clay may be lald upon the hillslde, the soul that buoyed you up and carried you through that mighty struggle will burst its bands and be carried irlumphant to its reward. Comrades, again I welcome you to thts home. To you it is dedicated by our State. War Governor Blair was next called for. He dwelt tenderly on the meruory of General Logan, and eulogized the departed hero. Then turning to the soene around him, he said the home was the fulflUment of the prouiise made by the State to the soldiere when they enlisted. The State promised her 90,000 defenderá, if killed, that their widows and orphans wouUl be cared for and that monument would be erected over their graves, and that if disabled they would be cared for in oíd age and misfortuue by the people. This home was established to fulfill this last promise - Michigan's disabled veterans would be tenderly cared for and sheltered during the remainder of their llfe. Governor-elect Luce.Congressnnm Cutcheon, ex-Senator Ferry andothers also made addresses. lnterapersed with the speakiiig were the following songs by the quartette, asaisted by the audience: "Michigan, My Michigan," ' Marching Through Georgia," "Tn tin g on the OM Camp Ground," 'Wln-n the Civil War is Over" and "Consolation," in memory of General Logan. The MdiaM' Home covers an arja oi 34,000 square feet, and is three torios high with a basement- an entirc floor area o1 KJ.OUO square feet. The walls of whitt brick stained red. The Legislatura in June 188S, appropriated 10J,000 to build the structure, and 5'J,00J to maintain it two years. ;The woi has teen done in a thorough ïnanner, and all the comforts of a home are provided. The home may be seen by passen gers on the Chicago & West Michigan road and the Grand Rápida & Indiana trains across the river, and whether far or near it presente a most attractive appearanco A life-Bize figure oí a soldier "at rest" stands guard over the premisos from the point of the roof on the west side of the building. The figure cost 1500. In tha spring work will be commencod upon tha grounds, and they can easily be madebeautiful.