The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-04
NEW SERIES-NO. 522
Scene on the Platform at its Dedi.
cation.


Correspondence Of Cincinnati Commercial.
GErrYsBuRG, Pa, Nov. 20, 1S63.-At the
moment all heads were uncovered, and the Rev.
Dr. STOCKTON, chaplain of the last House of
Representatives, was addressing the throne of
grace, was singularly impressive. During the
prayer, and while the venerable Everett. with
clear voice, but not audible to tenth part of
the vast concourse, is delivering his classical
oration-an Grafton that, for beauty of Ian
guage, terseness OF statement, and certain
stately and formal eloquence, is UNSURPASSED
bv an previous effort Of his life-it is worth
while to look at the ensemble. Perhaps upoa
no other American stage has there been such a
conjunction of all that is distinguished by Off
cial position, craftsmanship. learning and elo-
| quence.
| The central figure is, of course, that of the
orator, his head white with the SHOWS of
seventy winters, but his form as erect, his eve
| as bright, his complexion as clear, his voice as
full and sweet, his gesture as graceful and.
the expression of his face as genial as in his
manhood's prime. 1t was evident that he la
| bored under no ordinary emotions. Before
| him and in the distance were the ranges of
bills where, less than five months ago, stood
| the invading foe; on either side were the fresh
graves OF the heroes who had fallen, and in his
immediate presence the illustrious living, and
the representative of every free State of the
Union. was scene to inspire lips less elo-.
OF decay other than his whitening hairs and
the deepening lines of bis face. This ora,ion,
which he is now prOnOuncing we know. is
already in type; every word is faithfully
memOrialized there is no hesitation; the
stream OF eloquence flows steadily on; and
there is the gesture, once observed. never to
be forgotten, when the orator rises to some
climax, and the arms outspread. and the fin
gers, quivering and fiuttering, as one said. like
the pinions of an eagle, seem to rain down
upon the audience the emotions with which
they vibrate: there is the stately pose of the
tightly-buttoned and close-titting frock coat;
and you cannot help thinking all the while
that to his many rich mental endoWments, Mr..
Everett adds the immense advantage of per-
feet form and face absolutely handsome
In strange contrast is the figure seated imme.
tenance you say, with the disadvantage OF
emaciation by seige of Western ague. 1t isa
thoughtful, kindly, care worn face, impassiye
in repose, the eyes cast down, the lids thin and
firmly set the cheeks sunken, and the whole
indicating weariness: and anything but good
health. This is the President. Occasionally
smile passes over his face, as some forcible
remark of the crater arouses him, and once he
placed his hand quickly on the shoulder of the
gentleman at his left, and spoke an approving
word.
The person addressed has sat 10 far with hia
eyes. which seem to see nothing Of all that is
passing before him. This is Mr.. Seward, as
vou know by the bushy, beetliDg eyebrows, the
wiry face-now more wiry than ever. He has
grown old fast. The hair and whiskers are
almost white and the face sharper and more
Americanized than we have ever seen it.
On the right of the President sits the Rev.
DR.. Baugher, of the Gettysburg College, who
is to pronounce the benediction-a semi-bald
head, q hooked Roman nose. clear blue eve,
and decidedly clerical face, he would pass
anywhere for the illogical professor. man of
firm will, but kindly and affable withal. Still
to the right is the most unearthly face out of
the grave; absolutely colorless; the lips rs .
white as the wasted cheek, and the flowing
hair and tuft of whiskers under the chin, as
snowy white as wool. This is the Rev. DR..
Stockton, whose eloquent and impressive
prayer brought tears to the eyes of thousands
but moment ago. Further to the left of the
President sits Governor Curtin-a princely
figure with a manly ACE; next to him Gov
ernor Seymour of New York; stout, hearty.
well-tO-dO man--and next to him the good
humOred, fiorid and plump Governor Tod. of
Ohio. In their rear is the dark. brigandish
unmistakable figure of Forney. There is an
other group in the rear of the President worth
looking at 1t comprises Vice President Ham,
lin, the Aldermanic Governor-elect of Ohio.
Montgomery Blair Lieutenant Governor An
ders0n and standing near them, the most ex-
ecutlve OF Governors, Morton, of Indinna..
lnterspersed with these are Governors of other
states. members OF Congress, iron grey Simon
Cameron, the brilliant dresses of officers of the
army, OF the navy, &c, the whole making upa
singular and remarkable group of men. whose
names are imperishably connected with the
mOmeDtOuS events Of fl,a loct tEroo