After the oration by ex-Governor Cox, the singers rendered the famous Hallelujah Chorus, and then there were vociferous demands for President Harrison from the audience. The cheers and hand clapping were so great that two or three minutes elapsed before General Hayes could be heard. He finally lifted his right hand and held it suspended until perfect quiet was restored. “You will now have the pleasure,” he said, “of extending greetings with the President of the United States.”
President Harrison, as he came forward, was given an enthusiastic ovation. The cheers and applause were tremendous. The President stepped to the front of the platform, waited patiently for the uproar to subside, and then began his address, which was delivered in the most impressive manner possible. Almost every sentence was enthusiastically cheered. The President seemed thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the occasion, and every remark rang with sincerity and patriotism. 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 [applause], is most fitting. That one flag encircles us with its folds to-day, the unrivaled object of our loyal love. [Applause.]
This monument, so imposing and tasteful, fittingly typifies the grand and symmetrical character of him in whose honor it has been builded. [Applause.] 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. [Applause.] He never ceased to be student and instructor. Turning from peaceful pur suits to army service, he quickly mastered tactics and strategy, and in a brief army career taught some valuable lessons in military science. [Applause.] 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. [Applause.] 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. [Applause]. 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.]
President Harrison’s address created a profound impression. He spoke with the utmost earnestness, and every word was plainly audible everywhere. He was cheered to the echo.
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