Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-09-25
Dedication of Antietam Cemetery.


President, four Cabinet Officers, and seven
Governors, large number of soldiers, and
an immense concourse of citizens were pres
ent and participated in the ceremonies
Gov. Swan, on assuming the Presidential
chair, rendered welcome tn President John
son, and the Governors of other States who
came to take part in the exercises At
ter prayer by Rev. Mattison, of New Jer-
sey, and the singing of hymn, ex-Gov
Bradford delivered an eloquent oration
Many passages of the oratiou were applau-
ded, and as the orator took his seat there
were loud and frequent cries for Gov Geary,
mingled with calls for President johnson
The band struck up funeral dirge, and the
calls for Gov. Geary were repeated, when
Gov. Swan arose and desired that the rro-
gramme be proceeded with according to the
arrangements of the Committee The cheer
ing for Gov Geary was then renewed who
stepped forward and asked the assem-
blage to preserve order until the programme
was completed, when several of the Gov
erlors would address them. This restored
order and the ceremonies were proceeded
with as per arrangement.
President Johnson, upon being introduced
to the assemblage, advanced to the front of
the platform, and said
My FELLOW -CoUNTRYMEN: In appear
ing before you it is not for the purpose of
making any lengthy remarks, but simply to
express my appreciation Of the ceremonies
which have taken place to-day. My ap-
pearance on this occasion will be the speech
that | will make; my reflections and medi-
tatlOns will be in silent communion with the
dead whose deeds we are here to commem-
crate. L shall not attempt to give utterance
to the feelings and emotions inspired by the
addresses and prayers which have been
made, and the hymns which have been sung.
| shall attempt no such thing. am merely
here to give my countenance and aid to the
ceremonies on this occasion, but | must be
permitted to express my hope that we may
follow the example which has been SO elo-
quently alluded to this afternoon, and which
has been so clearly set by the illustrious
dead. When we look on your battle field,
and think of the brave men on both sides
who tell in the fierce struggle of battle, and
who sleep silent in their graves-yes, who
sleep in silence and peace after the earnest
conflict has ceaSed-would to God we of the
living could initiate their example as they
lay sleeping in peace III their tombs, and
live together in friendship and peace. Ap-
plause. You, my fellow citizens, have my
earnest wishes, as you have had my efforts
in times gone by, in the earliest and most
trying perils to preserve the Union of these
States, to restore peace and harmony to our
distracted and divided country, and you
shall have my last efforts in viEdication Of
the flag of the Republic and of the Consti
tuition OF our Fathers Applause.
The benedietion was then pronounced, and
the President and others, started for home.
Mr.. johnson, before commencing to speak,
asked neighbor if any rebel dead were
buried In the cemetery, and received in reply,
''No, sir; nor never will be-" Yet, not
withstanding this reply, the President could
not refrain from showing his sympathy for
the rebels by referring to the brave men,
Of both sides, who fell in the fierce struggle
Of battle, at Antietam.
After the Presidential party had left the
stand, the calls for Gov. Geary were re-
newed, whereupon he arose and said:
Fellow citizens: s:-After all you have heard
to-day L supposed you would want nothing
more. The programme has been gone
through with. 1t opened and closed with
prayer. Those who were not invited must
come in at the last hour; but | remember
when the conflict was waging acre there
was no hesitation in inviting the loyal Gov
ernors to participate, by sending their troops
to the field at Antietam. But, my friends,
although the loyal Governors have been
left out OF the programme, | thank God they
still have place In the hearts of the people.
When you come TO Pennsylvania next July
at tn, dedication of the Monument at Get
tysburg we will tender you the hospitalities
OF the State, and permit every man to speak.
We want to bear thanks to Almighty God
for his preservation and care Of this country.
We will have no gag. We will have no
but am no: here to say any
thing on that subject
The orator of the day has presented
with eloquence and faithfulness, many of
the historic incidents of the great battle we
to- day seek to commemorate in the dedica-
ton OF cemetery in honor of the heroic
dead, who died that the government of
the people, by the people, and for the peo-
pie. should not perish from the earth -
Inc patIie oi ahtietam was fought under
of great depression on the
part OF the Union forces. The Army of
the Potomac was greatly demoralized by the
disastrous campaigns on the Peninsula and
in Northern VIRGINIA, and from the loss of
Il, 600 men who had Just been captured at
the shameful surrender at Harpers Ferry.
While the same circumstances were calcula
ted to, and doubtless did, animate the rebelar
my with great enthusiasm and dauntless de-
so that when the first gun was
fred at Antietam, Lees army had basis
of victory to begin with.
The effect. then which foIlouad the col