USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > History of the Cuyahoga County soldiers' and sailors' monument > Part 24
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E VERYTHING is ready for the long-looked-for event. The preparations are complete, the sliglit- est detail not being neglected.
Independence Day has arrived. First of all, and above and superior to all, the Kind Ruler of the Uni- verse has smiled upon and blessed the work of His people. Our Heavenly Father has given us a day made to order; the Monument Commission, the active inelli- bers of the various committees, the distinguished speak- ers, the patriotic school children, the hundreds of thou- sands of people will do the rest. The newspapers, without exception, have nobly done their part to bring about a triumphant success. The issues of each and all of them on the morning of Independence Day were an agreeable surprise. Never before did Cleveland wit- ness such commendable enterprise among its journals. No labor or expense was spared in their make-up. The typographical appearance, the presswork, the elegant style of the engravings, the graphic scenes and events in connection with the erection of the Memorial, and its finished appearance, together with the portraits printed, were truly worthy of the best metropolitan journals in the country.
The shrewd and able chief editors, the brainy and skillful city editors, the intelligent, industrious, omni- present reporters, all vied with each other in making their journals eminently worthy of the glorious event celebrated. Their laudable efforts proved an unquali- fied success. The souvenir editions of the Plain Dealer
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and Leader were especially marvels of the art preserva- tive, a positive delight, a revelation to Cleveland jour- nalism.
The work of the historian in connection with the ded- icatory exercises is made comparatively light, owing to the complete and enterprising manner in which all details were covered by the hustling reporters of the newspapers named. I In the matter following we are largely indebted to the valuable research of the report- ers of the Leader and Plain Dealer, who skillfully sought out every conceivable point in connection with the dedication : the historical reminiscences, the well writ- ten biographies, the glowing descriptions, the beautiful word - paintings and the many striking features and notable incidents that, all combined, show the demon- stration to have been the grandest and most memorable one in the history of our lovely city.
All the newspapers availed themselves of the privi- lege of publishing copious extracts from the advance sheets of the History of the Memorial, gladly furnished by the author.
The day and the occasion were spoken of by the tal- ented editor of the Leader in the following stirring style :
"No day in Cleveland's history is more glorious than this. The splendid Monument which has been erected by Cuyahoga County upon the Public Square in honor of hier Soldiers and her Sailors will be dedicated with imposing ceremonies. No more fitting day could be chosen-the Fourth of July-the birthday of that Union for whose integrity nearly 10,000 of her sons went forth to battle. It will be an occasion of patriotism such as Cleveland has never known. Multitudes will turn from the pursuits in which they are engrossed, will gather from near and from far, to give a day to the past and to the future ; to feel more deeply than before how blessed
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is the heritage of free government and how great was the price which was paid for it; and to hear more clearly than before the voice of their responsibility call- ing them to be equal to every troublous hour which shall press upon it. No bride will be lovelier in her wedding garments than Cleveland in her dress of ban- ners. Thousands of children will lift their glad voices in the hymns of the Republic. Gray-haired veterans will once more stand shoulder to shoulder as they stood when they faced the storm of battle. Dignitaries of the State and the Nation will grace the occasion with their presence. Yachts will test the speed of their white wings on the blue waters of the lake. A great proces- sion will wind its splendid length along the principal thoroughfares ; and, when night shall fall, patriotism will write its enthusiasm upon the darkness in letters of fire.
"The Monument to be dedicated is one of the grand- est which remembrance ever reared to valor. All things considered, it has no counterpart upon the continent. As a work of art, in originality of conception and beauty of execution, no city on earth has a fairer ornament. It unites what is best in various forms of architecture, crowning the union with the magnetism of its own in- dividuality. But it is not what things are in them- selves, but what they signify, which makes them truly glorious. It is not the sculptor's work, but what the sculptor's work suggests, which stirs the heart and dis- tills the unbidden tear. It is what the eye cannot see which enriches and illumines what it can see. It is not the Monument, but the meaning of the Monument- that which it embodies-which makes of it a public blessing, the measure of which cannot be taken, and stamps those whose energy and genius brought it to pass as benefactors of their kind. By virtue of this meaning, it shall stand as a perpetual exhortation to
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love of country. Louder than the bustle of the mate- rial activities which encompass it shall be heard the truth which it speaks. In the very midst of the strife for self it shall teach the lesson of unselfishness. In the fruitful soil of countless hearts it shall sow the seeds of new sacrifices ; and in the day of peril the Union shall find no children more devoted than in the sylvan city of the inland sea."
The gifted editor of the Plain Dealer graced his col- minns with this handsome compliment :
"On this the natal day of the Nation, the Plain Dealer presents to its readers a souvenir edition com- meinorative of the dedication of the Soldiers' and Sail- ors' Monument. The souvenir is presented because it is timely and because the Plain Dealer feels that its readers should have the best of everything. The issue contains a full description of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument from its inception to its completion, together with a recital of the stirring scenes which occurred in Cleveland at the outbreak of the War and the noble work of the women of the city upon the Sanitary Com- mission. Not only did the men dedicate their lives, but the women of the city as well sacrificed much that the Union might live. No tribute, however great, can suf- ficiently commemorate the labor they performed.
" Infinite pains have been taken to make the history and description of the Monument as thorough as possi- ble. The account is not merely historic ; it is an enter- taining romance as well, for the scenes surrounding the placing of the Monument upon the Public Square were exciting and dramatic in the extreme. The recital em- braces all. Obstacle after obstacle was encountered and overcome. The fixedness of purpose and continu- ity of effort of the Monument Commission, viewed in the cold light of history, is admirable. The past is dead ; the Monument is a reality, and thousands upon
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thousands will meet to-day to dedicate the structure without a tinge of bitterness.
"The greatest care was taken to bring out in the illustrations in this souvenir edition the infinite deco- rative detail of the Monument. There is much of curi- ous interest about the Monument which would never be seen by a casual observer unless his attention was par- ticularly directed to it. For instance, the eight em- blems about the base of the capital figure have been reproduced. A glance at them will show that they are beautiful and full of the most delicate relief work. Vet one needs an opera-glass to thoroughly study them upon the Monument. In like manner the entire strict- ure is carefully inlaid with the various accouterments of war."
We were certain that as time went on, and the com- pleted work of the Commission could be viewed by the people from an unprejudiced standpoint, the warm sen- timents of approval expressed would be universally held. It is none the less gratifying, however, to pub- lish the foregoing generous and truly refreshing com- pliments of the leading molders of public opinion. In the exuberance of our joy and natural pride we can afford to draw a veil over the past, only adding that, in our undertaking, as in all other worthy and successful projects, hearty commendation is the final reward. The complete vindication of our work, of our energy and perseverance, in the face of many trying obstacles, is highly satisfactory. "Peace hath its victories no less renowned than war."
The ubiquitous reporter of the Plain Dealer took in the event and its surrounding scenes in the following graphic manner :
"To-day is likely to be the greatest day in the his- tory of the city.
"Never before in its history did the Square appear to
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better advantage than in its holiday garb of yesterday. Of course, it was not quite up to the high standard of beauty it will be to-day, but it had attained a sufficient approach to completeness to attract the admiration of thousands of people.
" All day long busy hands were engaged in festoon- ing the various buildings, and one by one each came out in a new garb as proud looking as a boy with a new snit of clotlies.
"It was as though each building was vieing with its neighbor to woo public favor, and, as one after another of the long streams of color shot out from the top of the tall light mast in the center, they might have been taken for as many giants attempting a May-pole dance on a Brobdignagian scale.
"Never was such a rioting of color witnessed in Cleveland, and when, at 10 o'clock in the morning, the 3,000 school children took their places on the grand stand in the auditorium corner of the quadrangle, it was as though some great flower bed had tilted up on edge for public admiration. Never had the beauty of child- hood been displayed to better advantage. It was an exemplification of the beauty of divine example when the Great Teacher 'took a little child and set it in the midst of them and said: Of such is the kingdom of heaven,' and it is safe to say of all the pageantry to be exhibited to-day, of all the display of military pomp and civic greatness, of all the booming of cannon and shrieking of rockets, no spectacle will prove half so im- pressive, no sound will have half the melody, as will the sight and voices of these 'little children' whom the managers of to-day's celebration have wisely 'set in the midst of' the people.
"But as to the decorations. Beginning at the county buildings, the outburst of color was harmonious and im- pressive throughout. The old Court House was arrayed
MAJOR - GENERAL W. B. HAZEN.
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as it never had been in its history. There were festoons of flags, broad bands of red, white and blue bunting, with an immense portrait of General Grant, and shields containing American eagles and the head of the God- dess of Liberty.
"The Wick building, adjoining, was equally prolific in decorations, while the tall, castlelike home of the Society for Savings, from the flag-staff above to the en- trance ways on the sidewalk, was brilliant with every color of the rainbow. Festoons of American flags, streamers and rosettes graced every open space and made a veritable kaleidoscope of color on every hand.
"The modern Cuyahoga building lent itself readily to the decorative art, and most tastefully had that art been employed. From every window floated the Na- tional emblem, while broad ribbons of red, white and blue floated from cornice to basement, completely ob- scuring every foot of the original material.
"Over on Euclid Avenue, William Taylor, Son & Co., Crow & Whitmarsh, Fetterman, and other business houses were tastefully adorned with American flags, while the motto 'GREATER CLEVELAND' stood out in bold relief over Taylor's entrance.
" The Forest City House, the Odd Fellows' building, in the southwest portion of the Square, were all blazing with color, while the northwest side, from Richards, McKean & Co.'s to the Superior Street corner, was a perfect mass of flags.
" Beautiful as these buildings were, they were after all only the frame work for the charming picture formed by the Square itself. Like an emerald set in rubies the four great quarters of the Park glittered in the July sunlight and shone forth under the many-colored elec- tric lights at night. The tall Monument, with its quad- rilateral set of stories, the gayly decked stands, the rippling fountains, the overhanging bower of fluttering
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flags and rows of overhanging lanterns made it a verita- ble fairy land of beauty. All day large crowds of peo- ple loitered about it as if loath to leave a spot where for once at least they could forget their troubles and feast their eyes on something of the brightness and beauty of the world about them.
" The Fourth came in at midnight with a fanfaronade of firecrackers, torpedoes and other explosives that seemed to echo everything from Bunker Hill to Vicks- burg, and must have made the life-like figures about the big Monument in the Square almost ache to join in the hubbub that their mute muskets could commemorate but in which they could not participate.
"It was Bunker Hill and Vicksburg over again, sure enough, and if the engagement began with a few desul- tory discharges of make-believe firearmns it was only the preliminary skirmish for the real rattle and roar of artil- lery that announced the breaking of day. Then, with an explosion that must have warned the hearts of every veteran in the county, one piece after another rolled out its deep-toned note of jubilee for a Nation 'conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are born free and equal.'"
The Leader said of the appearance of the city :
"Flags were never so abundant, and the city never looked so glorious as in the festal attire donned for the celebration to-day. The scene on every business street was a patriotic inspiration. American freedom, and the victory which crowned the Union arms, are the causes of the celebration, and the spirit of national pride is manifested in the decorations. Small flags by the thou- sand flutter overhead and on every side. They adorn the stays of the trolley wires, and appear in the win- dows of every block, from the storeroom on the ground floor to the highest peak of the cornice or the lofty pin- nacle of the tower. The Public Square never looked
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halt so pretty, and advantage has been taken of oppor- tunities for decoration which most people never dreamed of. Streamers of small flags extend from the sides of the Square to the top of the high electric light in the center of the Square. Across the street the big city flag floats from a staff over one hundred feet high. The Square is walled with decorations. All the buildings are elaborately adorned with the national colors. The amphitheater, capable of seating 4,000 persons, is bor- dered with bright-colored bunting. In front of it is the speakers' stand, having a canopy of the stars and stripes. Avenues of flags on the wires of the street railway companies lead under the festoons extending to the top of the mast, and lines of Chinese lanterns are strung among the trees. On every side the eye is greeted with the colors loyal men like to see.
"This evening, the electric illumination will give a beautiful effect. Arc lights with colored globes will appear among the trees, and there will be hundreds of tiny lanterns such as served to convert the Wooded Isle into a fairyland at the World's Fair. The mellow glow of the Chinese lanterns will be seen through tissue paper of many colors. Merchants have vied with each other in the decorations of their places of business. Artistic displays in the show windows supplement the gorgeous flags and buntings on the outer walls. 'Old Glory' will wave to-day over every big building in the city, and will be notice to all that Cleveland is cele- brating the Fourth."
The bright Leader reporter gave the following pen picture of the Memorial :
"Situated on what is probably the most commanding spot in the city, in an open space traversed every day by thousands of people, surrounded by public buildings and great business blocks from whose offices a fine view of the structure can be obtained, the Soldiers' and
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Sailors' Monument demands and receives much atten- tion. From the colossal pile at the base, with its wide esplanade and great bronze groups, to the towering shaft, whose top, surmounted with a heroic figure representing Liberty, overlooks all the other structures in the vicinity, the Monument is full of interest. Un- like other works intended to commemorate great things, this one does not follow what are called classic or con- ventional forms, but has an originality and personality all its own. Instead of the usual abstract decorations and ornaments, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is made up entirely of emblematic designs, all relating to military and naval service of the United States and all intended to commemorate the titanic "struggle of the Civil War. The whole of the great structure is covered with emblematic designs, and there is no part of the Monument but has features in its decoration that recall the War. The design, as a whole, is essentially military. The main features proclaim this without a second glance, but a closer inspection brings unending dis- coveries in this line in detail of adornment upon each other at every point. Here are miniature cannons. Here a rammer, or a gun wheel. There a piece of rope shows itself by the side of an anchor or a capstan. A saber, a pistol, a musket, or another portion of the equipment of a soldier is seen here and there and all about. Even at the extreme top of the tall shaft, where the large statue of Liberty stands overlooking the Square, the base of the pedestal represents warlike objects. The beautiful stained-glass windows, through which the bright sunlight streams into the interior of the tablet room and illuminates the bronzes and marble tablets there, were made to carry out the central idea. There the stars and stripes in all the glory of translucent colors, brilliant, yet soft and pleasing to the eye, are shown in company with cannon and knapsacks and
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projectiles. The great bronze doors, which turn noise- lessly on pivots let into the solid walls of the structure, are set in relief with Army and Navy designs. And, finally, the lawn surrounding the whole has its beds of bright flowers, each one a representation of a badge designating one of the great corps into which the Union Army was divided. From the Union flag that drapes the bronze Liberty on the top of the shaft to the cover- ing of Nature on the earth below, everything is military, and all tends to direct the mind to the gallant inen who fought for the Union.
" The feature of the Monument which at once im- presses itself the strongest upon the beholder is its re- alisin. In the bronze groups on the outside and in the panels and medallions in the tablet room the persons depicted are shown exactly as they appeared during the War. The ladies of the Sanitary Commission are dressed in war-time costume and are shown at the age they were then. So with all the others. Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, Ohio's War Governors, and the Sailors and Soldiers shown in action appear exactly as they looked during the great conflict, with no attempt to soften roughness or change lines in order to get ideal beauty.
"A description of the Monument in its entirety would require much more space than can be devoted to the purpose. The structure does not in any essential respect follow the design of the conventional soldiers' monument, but it is in every way emblematical of the Army and Navy of the Civil War. To this end, con- ventionality was thrown to the winds, and the architect and his band of advisers went forward with plans for a structure which should, in all its details, be comme1110- rative of the great War of the Rebellion, and the heroic part that the citizens of Cuyahoga County took in it. It was well understood at the time this decision was
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inade that the art critics of the country would fail to see the beauty of such a monument, and that there would be an endless amount of criticism of the design. That such criticismn was made, is well known. How- ever, the work went on with rapidity and dispatch, and the finished Monument, entirely unique and unusual in style and appearance, is to-day, with one exception, the largest and most comprehensive memorial of Union Soldiers in the country. Nothing that at all compares with it exists anywhere except at Indianapolis, where a whole State has united and spent a half million of dollars on a monument to the Union Soldiers.
"Seen at a distance, the Monument presents the appearance of a massive shaft, reaching high into the air, and expanding into a square structure at the base. The lower part of the Monument, which is built of black Quincy granite, is surrounded by an esplanade of polished stone, one hundred feet square and five feet above grade. Leading to this are curving steps of the same material, which, but for a space on each of the four sides, would extend entirely around the base. The steps and esplanade are made of red Medina sandstone. At each side of the Monument, resting upon the top of a massive pedestal of Amherst stone which, in turn, stands upon the sweep of the esplanade, is a bronze group, of heroic size, representing one of the four main branches of the army service. Surmounting the top of the shaft, which is composed of great blocks of shining granite, is an Amazonian figure of Liberty, fifteen feet high. The lawn surrounding the whole is adorned with upwards of thirty large flower beds, in colors and designs to represent the different army corps badges and the badges of well-known ex-soldiers' societies."
The Plain Dealer describes the floral emblems, re- producing the army corps and society badges, as follows :
-
....
,
HON. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
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The smooth green lawns and the beautiful beds of plants of various colored leaves about the Monument are not the least points of attractiveness. In order to carry out the general design and purpose of the Monu- ment, and thus continue to the greatest degree the harmony of parts, it was determined that the beds of flowers should represent badges worn by different army organizations. The plan has been fulfilled in a way that demonstrates that artistic gardening may be carried to a high degree. The colors of the badges are made to appear by the bunching of small plants. These colors may be clearly distinguished as red, white or blue, these effects being produced by the leaves rather than by the flowers.
On the Superior Street side are five badges. The Grand Army of the Republic badge is seen in the cen- ter. It consists of an eagle and crossed cannons, suspended from these a United States flag, and under this a five-pointed star.
To the right of this is the Loyal Legion badge, composed of a gold bar with red, white and blue ribbon and a maltese cross hanging therefrom.
To the left of the center is the Women's Relief Corps badge-a red, white and blue ribbon with maltese cross hanging to it.
At the west end of this section is the badge of the Union Veterans' Union, consisting of swords crossed under a circle, inclosing the letters U. V. U., and pendent therefrom a red, white and blue ribbon, from which hangs a circle with crossed guns and an anchor over it.
At the east end is the Sons of Veterans' badge. From a bar of metal, bearing the words 'Sons of Veterans,' hangs a shield composed of red, white and blue ribbon. Under this hangs an eagle, and a cross with the initials of the order npon it.
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The remaining gardens, twenty-four in all, or eight on each side of the Monument, represent the badges of all the Army Corps and the Signal Service. The number of each Army Corps, together with a description of its badge, follows. The badge of the First Corps is found at the northwest corner and continue southward and around the Monument in regular numerical order.
First Corps-A circle.
Second-Clover leaf.
Third-Diamond.
Fourth-Triangle. Fifth-Maltese cross.
Sixth-Greek cross.
Seventh-Star and crescent.
Eighth-Six pointed star.
Ninth-Shield, with anchor and cannon across it.
Tenth-Bastioned fort.
Eleventh-Crescent.
Twelfth-Five pointed star.
Thirteenth-No badge. Fourteenth-Acorn.
Fifteenth-Knapsack and cartridge box, with words "40 rounds."
Sixteenth-Circular cross.
Seventeenth-Arrow.
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