Rows and
rows of people who are seldom seen at any public function, whole
families of those who are certain to be out of town on a holiday,
crowded the place to overflowing. The city was at her birthright
_fete_ in the persons of hundreds of her best citizens, men and
women whose names and lives stand for the virtues that make for
honourable civic pride.
Battle-music had filled the air. Ovation after ovation,
applause warm and prolonged, had greeted the officers and friends
of Colonel Shaw, the sculptor, St. Gaudens, the memorial
Committee, the Governor and his staff, and the Negro soldiers of
the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts as they came upon the platform or
entered the hall. Colonel Henry Lee, of Governor Andrew's old
staff, had made a noble, simple presentation speech for the
committee, paying tribute to Mr. John M. Forbes, in whose stead he
served. Governor Wolcott had made his short, memorable speech,
saying, "Fort Wagner marked an epoch in the history of a race, and
called it into manhood." Mayor Quincy had received the monument
for the city of Boston. The story of Colonel Shaw and his black
regiment had been told in gallant words, and then, after the
singing of
Mine eyes have seen the glory
Of the coming of the Lord,
Booker Washington arose.
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