Benjamin Harrison actually said...

"We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did."

"I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it."

"How vividly come to my memory many battle scenes; not the impetuous rush of conflict, but the cover of sadness that followed victory."

"It was as if heaven was approving the human liberty and human equality typified by that flag."