The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-08-26
A Great National Cemetery.

A grand and besutiful idea has been con-
ceig ed by our patriotic citizens since the great
battles OF the lst, ID aad Sd. Itis the prop
osItiou 10 establish National Cemetery upon
the battlefield. and gather into it the bodies
OF our heroes from all the States, who fell
fighting for Liberty and Law on the bloody
field of Gettysburg. There has been two sites
selected for this object, and contracts entered
into with the owners for the purchase of the
land at $500 per acre. Which one of the two
viii be chosen has not vet been fully deter
mined. The one is the high ground east of
the Baltimore pike and Immediately opposite
Evergreen Cemetery. The other is the ground
adjoining the cemetery on the south-west,and
the very spot where the enemy repeatedly at
tempted to turn what is known as the left
centre Of our line, and failed with such i'm
mense slaughter. The first location, from its
elevated position, would seem TO be the most
desirable spot of the two. Upou this emil
nence You command a full view OF almost The
entire battlefield. The other il not so prom
inent, but has advantages which seem to point
to it as the more appropriate spot Being
more secluded beside q thickly wooded grove,
and upon the very ground where the hardest
fighting occurred, and where the tide OF bat
tie was turned in our favor, and 3 glorious
victory secured. Both locations are admira-
bly, adapted for the purpose. The plan has
not been fully matured, but we conceive it TO
be this: In order to secure the success OF
this noble work, it is suggested that the peo-
pie of the States to which the heroes who are
buried at Gettysburg belong, contribute TO
defraY the expense OF the enterprise, and that
Pennsylvania take the lead to secure success.
The Governors of all the loyal States have
been telegraphed to On the subject and so far
as heard from, favorable response has been
received. Eight States have already united
with Pennsylvania in this noble work. The
grounds will be laid of, and each State as
signed separate department. Into this will
be gathered the bodies of the fallen from the
respective States. They will be decentlv in
TERED, and their graves marked with a head
stone and inscription. A list and directory
viii be prepared for the benefit of visitors, and
those who may come to seek after their friends.
Another department will be assigned TO those
who cannot be recognized as belonging TO any
particular State, and whose names may be
unknown. These viii be gathered into one
enclosure, and an appropriate monument
erected over their remains.
We heartily commend this enterprises to the
consideration Of the patriotic people OF the
Union. The men who fell ct Gettysburg will
need no monument 10 commemorate their val
or. Like the Sparians who fought al Their
mopyle, those who struggled at Gettysburg,
il the cause Of liberty, will be remembered
while liberty has friend on earth. But we
owe it TO future generations that we in some
way prove OQr gratitude TO the dead, and
show that those who survived to reap the re-
ward Of the victory at Gettysburg, were. not
uumindful Of what was due = their brethren
and fellow-citizens who fell in that fight
While the object is invested with its present
interest, We trust, at least, that the conduc-
tors of the press Of Pennsylvania will give it
their hearty support, and that the people will
not rest satisfied until all who fell at Gettys-
burg, aud whose bones are still scattered
over and bleaching on that vast battlefield
are gathered into one enclosure, over which
shall rise monument as proud as their deeds,
10 commemorate their valor and to point as q
signal TO the blessed abode Of the. heroes in
heaVea.-G GsttUsJurg Sentinel.