Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-09-26

extensive platform prepared for them,
On the speakers stand Were the Presi-
dent OF the United States, the members
OF his Cabinet, the representatives of
foreign Governments, and the Governors
OF the States who have already been
mentioned, together with Cows. Cham.
berlain Of Maine, BOfeHisn OF I~EIryr vir-
ginia, ,Geary of Pennsylvania, and the
other distinguished guests.
Gov, Swami, on assuming the Presi-
dental chair, rendered welcome to Pres
ident Johnson and the Governors OF
the other States who came TO participate
in the ceremonies. After abiding to the
part taken by Maryland in establishing
the cemetery, he said: " We are here in
the calm sunshine of peace to mingle
our tears with the survivors of those
who sacrificed life for country upon this
field" He invoked Almighty God to
speedily restore harmony to the whole
country.
Next followed a prayer by the Rev.
Hiram Mattison, d. D., of New Jersey.
The hymn composed by the Rev. Edward
Meyer Of Pennsylvania, was then sung
by the vast assemblage. There was
music by the band during the intervals,
which added much to the beauty and
impreSsiveness OF the hymn.
The corner stone of the monument was
then laid in due form, according to the
Masonic rites.
Ex-Gov. Bradford then delivered an
eloquent Grafton. After referring to the
distinguished personages present he
stated that, in response to vote of
thanks from Maryland to the army for
protecting the State from Rebels, the
commander Of that army committed the
remains of those who fell to the care of
the State. The details Of the action by
Maryland in the matter, were given by
the orator. The number engaged on the
field Of Antietam on the Union side was
87,l64, while the Rebel force was esti-
mated at $1,000. The previous cam
paigns of the army were referred to, and
the anxiety of the public mind was
depleted. The disasters Of the army
under Pope, its shattered condition, its
reorganization by Mcclellan, and the
victory won over the confident hosts of
Rebellion by that reOrganized army,
were dwelt upon at great length, with
many co,relatiVefacts and circumstances.
He concluded by invoking adherence to
the Constitution, and said; Come the
peril to it whence it may, from State
rights or consolidation, let me, on this
anniversary Of its adoption, in the
name Of the men who made it, by the
memory Of the men who died for it on
this spot, whose blood has been so pro-
fusely she'd in its behalf, appeal to you
to preserve, protect, and defend it.
The programme was proceeded with,
and the poem Of Clarence F. BUTLER OF
New York was read by the Hon. G. L.
Cramer, Commissioner from West Vir-
ginia.
Gov. Swami then introduced President
johnson to the assembly, who advanc-
ing to the front Of the platform, was
greeted with applause. He said i
Ny FeAl0i0- CO1UltryileS In appearing
before you it is not for the purpose Of
making any lengthy remarks, but sim
ply to express my appreciation of the
ceremonies which have taken place to-
day. My appearance on this occasion
will be the speech that will make; my
reflections and my meditations will be in
silent communion with the dead whose
deeds we are here to commemorate. 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. 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 espress 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
battlefield, and think OF the brave men
on both sides who fell in the fierce strug-
gle Of battle, and who sleep silently 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 in their tombs, and
live together in friendship and peace.
Applause You, my fellow-ci citizens,
have my earnest wishes, as you have had
my efforts in times gone by, in the earli-
est 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 vindication of the flag
Of the republic and Of the Constitution of
our fathers. [Applanse.l
The Benediction was then pronounced,
when the President, Cabinet officers,
Gov. Swami, and others left the plat
form. Col. J. NJ. Moore and his assist
ants then formed the military, who es-
corted the President and party to the
cars at Keedysville, which place they
left at $40 o'clock for Washington and
Baltimore.
Calls were renewed for Gov. Geary by
the crowd which constituted a meeting
independent of the regular arrangements
by the authorities Of the State, and the
Board of Managers OF the Antietam Ma
tional Cemetery. Gov. Geary, being i'm
patiently and vociferously called for,
made his appearance and entertained the
audience for few minutes with
touching and merited tribute to the
Union soldiers who participated in the
battle of Antietam, closing by abiding
to the honored dead whose last resting