Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-04-19
sEITYsBURG CEMETERY

1t affords us pleasure to lay before our
readers the report Of John r. Latmer, Esq;
the Commissioner appointed by Governor
Cannon, on the part of Delaware, on the
Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg
MIR. Latimer has visited the scene Of that
sanguinary conflict, and attended the meet
ing of the Commissioners of the several
States held there on the 9th and eth inst,
for the purpose of organization and such
other business as was necessary. Mr.. Lati-
ner has performed the duty assigned to him
in manner creditable TO our State, and
honorable to the loyal people of Della.
ware. No better selection could have been
made by his Exeelleucy. No one could
have had thelhonor conferred on him mo re
likely to carry out the wishes of those VIII o
have so nobly responded to the call for voun.
tary subscriptions to the patriotic fund for
lnterring the remains Of our valiant sons
who fell gallantly upholding our country's
banner, than MIR. Latimer. Every impulse
OF his heart is for the preservation Of the
Union and the liberties bequea thed to us by
our fathers, and during the progress of the
present conflict he has given literally Of
his time and treasure to ameliorate the con,
dition ofour brave soldiers and add to the
comforts of their families. and to no one
among the many who have sustained the
government in its efforts to crush out treas-
on and rebellion, is more praise Justly due
The following is Mr.. Latimer's report
WILMINGTON, April llth, 1864.
To His Excellency,
WILLIAM CANNON,
GOUsrnor Of he STATE of Dela,cays.
SR:-liaving the honor of an appoint
ment as commissioner of this State on The
Soldiers National Cemetry at Gettysburg ;
| would herewith respectfully report =
The Legislature of the State Of Pennsyl-
vania quite recently passed an act ncorpor.
ating this natioual institution. A meeting
OF the commissioners of the several States
was held at Gettysburg on the 9th and Eth
instant for the purpose of organization and
such other business as might be properly in.
cident to their duties / had the pleasure
to be present, and to hand into the common
fund assumed necessary to carry out the ori-
ginal intention of those who projected the
plan, the amount assessed on the State of
Delaware.
| 1t having been early ascertained that the
sum at first deemed sufficient would be en-
tlrely inadequate to the expectations Of a
generous and grateful people, anxious to
make the Cemetery with all its adornments
worthy oil the memory of those who slumber
tIere' we were Informed that those States,
which by Legislative action have RESPONDED
10 the call, have offered twiee and some
thrice the amount assessed upon them and
that Others yet TO respond would act with
like liberality. In view of these facts. ven.
ture to suggest to your Excellency that Won
renew your recommendation Of the lst of
March (which expired on the LIST Of Anrii
that the Secretary of State will continue
TO receive any such sums not exceeding two
dollars from each contributor" for an indeG.
mite time, SO that the contributions of Della
ware may equal ifnot exceed the pro-rata of
her sister States.
This national burial place, so beautifully
located, just out of the village Of Gettysburg,
is destined to be forever hallowed in the
memory Of our people. In visiting it found
the bodies of the fallen heroes had been as
tenderly removed aud as carefully re-interred
as could have been done by the most afiec-
tlonate kindred. am unable to report the
exact number from our own State, whose re.
mains hnd sepulture in that consecrated
ground, but correct MIST will be furnished
me not long hence, which shall be promptly
transmitted,