Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-18
AHTTETAM CEMETERY.
CLOSE OF THE DEDICATION CERE.
~ 49,. MONIES. 4 = QIFaa
Speech OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
ADDRESSES OF COWS. GEAR1 AND
- FENTON. ,-- l''
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
Especial Report for the Star.l

dedication ceremonies up to the close OF Ex-
Gov. Bradford's Grafton and the singing of the
second hymn. AS the last notes Of the hymn
died away, there were loud cries for Governor
Geary, mingled with calls for President John
son. The band struck up funeral dirge, and
the calls for Gov. Geary were repeated, when
Gov. Swami said: F-r< -
has been handed to me by your committee Of
ARRANGEMENTS, which they desire to be carried
out. After 1t has been completed you may
have an opportunity to hear some OF our dis
tinguished guests. In the order of exercises q
poem will now be read.' = t r.
The cheering for Gov. Geary was renewed,
the multitude being determined to have a
speech from him. At last he approached the
front of the stand, and was greeted with long
continued applause. Gov. Geary said:
''Friends and Fellow- Citisens:-Will you do
me one favor IA voice-"Certainly.'' Please
let the programme be completed, and then
will be glad 70 appear in front Of the stand and
say few words to you. 1 thank you for your
kindness. and hope you will preserve order
when several of the Governors will be glad to
address you" [Applause. The Governor
was applau ded as he retired.
The programme was then proceeded with,
and the poem of Clarence F. Buhler, Of New
York, was read by Hon. e. L. Cramner, com.
missioner from West Virginia.
After time silence was partially restored,
and the President was in trod uced by Governor
Swami. The President remarks were as fol-
lows:
My Fellow -countrymen: In appearing before
you IL Is not for the purpose OF making any
lengthy remarks, but simply to express my ap-
probation of the ceremonies which have taken
place to. day. My appearance on this occasion
will be the speech that Will make My re-
Elections ana my meditations will be in silent
communion with the dead, whose deeds we are
here to commemorate. i shall not attempt to
give utterance to the feelings of emotion in
spired by the address and prayers which have
honr aoAa tA,o -
sung. I shall attempt no such thing. l am
merely here to give my countenance and aid to
the ceremonies on this occasion, but must be
permitted TO express the hope that we may
follow tine example which has been so eIo.
quently alluded TO this afternoon, and which
has been SO clearly set by the illustrious dead
When we look on gon battle field and think of
the brave men on both sides who fell in the
fierce struggle of battle, and who sleep silent
In their grayes-yes, who sleep in silence and
peace after the earnest conflict has ceased,
weuld to God we Of the living could initiate
their example as they sleeping In peace in
their tombs and live together In friendship D and
in peace. fApplause.l You, my fellow-citi-
zens. have my earnest wishes, as you have had
most trying periods, 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 vindication OF the
flag of the Republic and OF the Constitution of
our forefathers.
The benedction was then pronounced, when
the President, Cabinet Off GERS, Gov Swami
M oore and his assistants formed the military,
who escorted the President and party to the
cars at Keedysville, which place they left at
ten min nutes to seven o'clock for Washington
and Baltimore.
Calls were renewed for Governor Geary
by the crowd, which constituted a meeting
indepe ndent of the regular arrangements by
gers Of the Antietam National Cemetery. Gov
ernor Geary being impatieDIy and vocfer-
ously called for, came forward, saying.
fss~ ffnsmAltss h.a all you have heard
nothing more. The programme opened and con-
cluoed with prayer. Those who have waited
m ust come in at the last hour. But, my friends,
we still have place in the hearts Of the peo-
pie. tApptause. When you come to Penn
sylvania. we let everybody speak we want to
hear Thanks TO Almighty God for His pres
gag. lApplause.l We have no programmes
for this purpose. [Renewed applause.] We
have no gag on our programmes. But L am
not here 70 say any thing on that subject The
tory Of the great battle which we are now
seeking to commemorate in the dedication of
this cemetery and the location Of this monu-
ment in honor OF the heroic dead who in the
died that the Government OF the people es-
tabiished by and for the people, should not
perish from earth" (Applause1 III"
The battle OF Antietam was fought under
circumstances Of the greatest depression, when
public confidence was lost and the Army of
the Potomac had been greatly dmished by the
in Eastern Virginia, and the loss Of twelve
thousand men at the shameful surrender of
Harper's Ferry. [Applause.l In Lees COM
ing to fight the battle Of Antietam he had,
therefore, the prestige Of his victories to begin
with. IA veice, "Thats SOL To appreciate
the victory here, we must review events by
the most liberal logic known to military ethics
While the Army Of the Potomac had lost more
IN ho anfh
ity OF the latter, Lee was obliged to flee from
the field, acknowledge himself vanquished,
and a true and hearty victory resulted to the
MY feliow-citizens, / don't intend to detain
you long here. [Cries, .'Go emil / feel it i'm.
proper for me to let the occasion 90 past with.
Pennsylvania who fought her. lCries, "Huz-
zah for Pennsylvania! Go on.hl 1 proudly
place on record these regiments Of my native
State, and claim for her full share Of the
honor OF the victory at Antietam." ECheers.
Governor Geary proceeded to rrecapitulaie
the numbers and services Of the Pennsylya-
MIA regiments. and then withdrew after intro
ducing Gov. Fentsn. Of New York, who spoke
as follows: = E-..-.a, -... 49,.
s.Fsl1oD Citizens-l dislike to detain you
even mir ute, yet hesitate to leave this place
without say ing few words: It u not easy to
find words 70 fully and fltly express my feel.
iDgs. OF that may be nlost Appropriately en-
ployed IN the name OF my State, whose eight
hundred sons here sleep. There are times
"neh uuuou sPecCu - loo pooI anu weak 70
embody the emotions which the recollecdons
OF heroic deeds inspire. New York had al
most twenty. seven thousand men upon this
field of strife, and about one.eighth of them
were killed or wounded. But New York was
not alone here, nor were the mutilated and
dead alone from her ranks. Others come to-
day, as l come, the representatives Of the
States, united and living. through the sacri-
fices OF their fallen, whom also the nation
alike meurns, and with ftting ceremony we
dedicate the place where the devotion and
blazed In the red line around these hills to 60
out no more while the page Of history shall
endure. fAppfause.] The token Of our graft.
tude, which we now prepare 70 place over tho
dust that 10 henceforth sacred, u the index that
in the fit eloQuence Of silence shall challenge
the progress Of man. The noblest thought ofman
was 10 human rights-the- utmost self. denial
at the call Of dnty. The grandest example Of
national devotion OF the strong 20 the weak.
nrmer root, siren gthened the trunk and ex-
tended the branches OF the tree Of freedom and
peace, Whose ripened frult hangs waiting for
hands clear OF all unfaithfulness and inlus-
tice The oppressed Of ali lands, toiiing and
waiting for theiF harvest Of freedom will ever.
more turn their faces to our heroic struggle,
and grow patient and strong. The statesman.
progress Of the people, bafiied by sslhshnsss,
appalled, by crime or disheartened by indifer-
On &c, looking % these heights above the clouds
that surround him, shall zee this pledge to
liberty. and work on. Aud IL It shall be at
apy time nat wicked men shall seek 70 detroy
or disturb hunan progress, reckoning on the
ignorance which suffers or the prejudice Whiok
boars iesatnsth the lowest and 10 ost friendless,
will they not at least panse before the uprais-