Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-18
LATEST TELEGRAMS.
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES.
Dedication Of Antletam Cemetery.


REEDsvILLE, Sept. 1.-THE dedication
of the Antietam National Cemetery took
place to-day. The programme was carried
out as follows: Military and Masonic
bodies escorted the President and party TO
the cemetery, where, in the presence of an
immense throng, the exercises were opened
by prayer Gov. Swami, on assuming
the presidential chair, ordered welcome to
President johnson and the Governors of
other States who came to participate in the
ceremonies, and after abiding to the part
taken BY Maryland in establishing the
cemeterg, said: We are here in calm
sunshine to mingle tears and SORROWS for
those who sacrificed their lives for their
country upon this field, and he invoked the
Almighty TO speedily restore harmony to
the whole country Hymns were sung by
the assemblage, and the cornerstone of the
monument was then laid by the Grand
Master Of the Grand Lodge of MasOns of
Maryland.
An grafton was then delivered by ex-
Gov. Bradford. After referring to the dis
tinguished persons present he stated that
a vote of thanks of Maryland had been
extended to the army for the protection of
the State from the Rebels and to the CONS
mander of that army who committed the
| remains Of those who fell to the care of the
State. The number engaged on the field
of Antietam on the Union side as given by
the orator was 81 100, while the. Rebel
force was estimated at 1900. The pre-
vious campaigns of the army was referred
to, and the anxiety Of the mind depicted
by the disasters of the army under Pope
its shattered condition its reorganization
| by Mcclellan, and the victory won over
| the confident heroes of the rebellion by
that reorganization.
He concluded by invoking adherence to
the constitution and said: Come peril to
| it whence it may, from States rights or
consolidation but let me on the anniyer-
sary of its adoption, in the name of those
| men who made it, the memory of the men
| who have died for it on this spot, whose
blood has been so proftlessly shed in its
behalf, appeal to you TO preserve, protect
| and defend it.
The poem was next delivered and re-
marks were made by President johnson
and others, after which the services were
closed with the benediction.
The President and party were then es-
corted to the station. Statutes were fred
and everything passed off quietly.
President johnson said, in the course of
a brief speech: | am here merely to give
my countenance in aid of the ceremonies
on this occasion; but | must be permitted
to express the hope that we may follow the
example which has been so eloguently
alluded to this afternoon, and which was
so clearly set by the illustriOus dead. When
we look on your battle fields and think OF
the brave men on both sides who fell in the
fierce struggle of battle, who sleep silently
in their graves. Yes, who sleep in silence
and peace after the earnest conflict has
ceased. Would TO God that we the living,
could immitate their example, as they lay
sleeping in peace in their tombs, and live
together in friendship and peace. APP
plause. You, my fellow-citizens, have my
earnest wishes as you have had my efforts
in times gone by, in the most trying period
to preserve the Union of these States, to
restore peace and harmony to our dis
tracted 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 Applause.