The national Republican., 1867-09-18
aatiOnal 9rpnblita'l.
LOCAL DEPARTM EN- 7.

eidsnts-" Hamlet with ths Hamlet left
out.-
On Tuesday ws had present at the dedication
Of the Antistam National Cemetery = special
reporter, who made an elaborate report Of the
ceremonies. The train bearing the presidential
party, Cabinet, Diplomatic Corps, and other dis
tinguishsd officers, arrived In the city too late In
the morning Of yesterday, however, for us to
Press was Published by us but the most i'm
prsssivs, important, and appropriate ceremonies
Of such an occasion were omitted In the report
We received, viz, the prayer Of Rev. Mr.. Matti'
son, D. D Of New Jsrssy, and the ceremonies oi
the Grand Lodge Of the State In laying the cor.
nsr stone. Only think Of the laying Of corner
stone with that ceremony left out. These va
will give, with some Of the incidents we noted.
Immsdiatsly after the introductory remark,
were made BY Governor Swan, Of Maryland, the
following solemn and impressive prayer was de-
iivsrsd By Rev. Hiram Msttison, D. D., Of New
Jersey, amid the most profound silence:
0 Lord our God We adore and worship Thee,
as the high aud mighty Ruler Of the universe,
are the deep places Of the earth; the strength Of
the hills is Thine also. Tho ssa is Thine, and
Thou didst make II, and Thy hands formed the
dry land. All the idols Of earth ars the work Of
mons hands, but Thou hast made the heavens.
We bless Thee. also, as the Ruler Of nations,
the bles.sd and only Potsntsis, King q kings
and Lord Of lords. Before Thee the nations arc
- drop Of the bucket, and are counted u
the small dust Of the balance. By Thee kings
reign, and princes decree judgment. For pro-
motion comsth not from tho east, nor from the
west, nor from the south; but Thou art the judge:
Thou puttsst down one, aud settest up another.
Thou bringsst the princes to naught; and makest
the judges Of tho earth Is vanity.
We remember and confess before Thee this day
our sins. We have grieved and tempted Thee,
and have rejected and despised Thy counsels
We have oppressed and enslaved the stranger,
whom our fathers brought to dwell amongst US
And for . time our rulers and senators took
counsel together against Thee, to extend and
perpetuats this great wrong Forgive US, o,
God, our national sins and injustice.
Thou didst rsproye and rsbuke us, yet ",
despised Thy reproofs, and our words were stout
against the Most High.
Then Thou didst call for war, and 1t came
Thou gavsst Thy people over unto the sword
and vast wroth with Thine inhsritance. Thot
didst cover our fields with the slain, and tear
and waillng filled the land The sword con
sumsd our young men, and their maidens wer'
not given IN marriage. Darkness covered tn,
earth, and desolation and mourning were In a
our borders.
Then Thy people remembered the days Of old
the sins Of many generations. They sought unit
Thee with fasting and prayer, to loose the band
Of wicksdness, 70 undo the heavy burden, I,
break every yoke, and let the oppressed 60 free
Thou didst constrain our rulers to proclaim lib
srty throughout all the land, and to all the In
habitants thereof.
Then didst thou hsarksn unto our prayers,
and have respect unto our supplications. Thor
- - .uI srA
mighty man that shoutest by reason Of vino
Thou didst break the ranks Of our foes with
rod Of iron, and dash them In pieces like pot
tsr's vessel. Thou didst oonfound them in thsi
counssls, and scatter them as the chat Of q sum
mer thrsshing floor. Thou didst make war Il
cease, breaking the bow, cutting the spear ii
sunder, and burning the chariot In the FIRE.
Then WAS thy voice heard saying Be still ant
know that am God: will be exalted anon,
the heather, I will be exalted In the earth. B,
wise now therefore, o 70 kings; be instructed
70 judges Of the earth.
We give Thee thanks, o God, that Thou has
hushed the voice Of war In this land. and has
given US peace throughout all our borders Ma,
II be continued to us and our children to the ent
Of time. 49,.
And now, o Lord, we appear before. Thee thi
day to set apart and hallow this inclosuro, In th
midst Of which We stand. as o national mauso
lsum whore the dust Of our heroic dead may
sleep in undsturbsd reposo, till time shall be NJ
! more. Look Thou upon us In mercy and com
passion, ss We stand amidst this congregation o
the dead, BY devout prayer and solemn services
to render this spot forever sacred as the fna
resting place Of the dead And as this inclosur,
10 already oonseorated BY tho patriotic dust thai
slumbsrs here, and by the tears and affections o
bsrsft nation, so let this hallowed spot be for
ever sacred, even in thine eyes Of infinite purity
and love.
Let Thine angels watch over II through al
coming generations, and as In years to come tn,
hearts OF Thousands over all this land will eve
turn toward this spot with holy tenderness ant
love. do Thou make II = psrpetual bond Of amt!
and concord between the States, whose noble
dead sleep In silent ranks along those radiatine
aislss.
Especially do We pray this day for all thos'
whose loved ones slumbsr here-parents, broth
srs, sisters, wives, children, and lovers. b,
Thou, o God, their friend and helper. Ant
though far distant from this scene, amid th,
hills Of the Esst or tho prairiss Of the West
their sadness fnd relief in tho thought that thei
dead hli honorsd graves in the soil which thei
devotion and blood have forever oonsecrated Il
freedom.
And may those even whose dead are unrecog
niIed be comforted by the hope that their los
ones may be here, though among the "un
known" In this beautiful homo Of the dead.
Bless, We beseech Thee, Thy servant tn,
President Of these United States-his Cabinet
and the representatives Of the judiciary, Of th'
army and navy, Of Congress- and Of foreigl
Powers. Bless the Governors Of States, ant
Mayors Of cities, hero present, with all that are
In authority over us in this land. May they rnl'
In the fear Of God not bearing the sword In vain
May they ever be terror TO eyil-doers, and |
praise to themthat do we'll. Do Thou so replenisf
them with thy grace and Holy Spirit, that they
may always incline TO Thy win and walk In
Thy ways Grant them In health and pros
psrty long to lvs and finally, afier this LIE, Il
attain to everlasting Joy and felicity with Thy
people in Heaven.
Preside thou over all the solsmnitiss of thii
occasion. May the heart Of this whole nation
respond to these solemn services. Grant thai
ali here present may be returned to their home
In safety and In peaeej and fneYy, when th,
last revsille shall be heard, ahU all the deat
shall rise, may We, and all those who die In th'
true faith Of Thy Holy Word, have our perfect
oonsummaton and bliss. both Of body and soul
in Thy eternal and everlasting glory, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. dmsn.
This was followed by the singing Of the an
ueIsd hymn, thousands Of voices assisting:
HAcELDANAi' o Lord, our God,
who svsrmors does Israel keep,
wAtsrsd In tears, baptized In blood,
NJ hal al alAan