New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-02
0RATIoY ny THE HoN. o. P. MORTON.

GRAFTON BY THE non. o. p. MORTON.
When the monument We are about 70 dedicate shall
have crumbed into cust when the last yestgc Of this
cemetery shall have been oblterated by the hand Of
time when there shall be nothing left Of al VIC
but the hills the valleys, the streams, and the distant
mountains the great battle which here took place with
Nations have their BIRTH youth maturity old age, aud
death and ours though we call 1t eternal aud our nst
tiOns pass away and an physical evidence OF their
existence be lost, yet may they live through all time IN
deeds aud the hencfcenCe OF their institutions These
the nhoritancos they may leave 10 the farcOmug
when the pyramids Of Egypt shall have sunk to the
level OF the Niles when the last remnant OF Grecan ar
cecture the last inscribed block Of marble, shall have
persisted VIII still read Of Moses and the Pass OF
ThcFnCpyle Monuments after all but for the pres
ent and NAV only instruct Few generations But gO-
Iious deed is Joy forever
was stretched along these nights from Cup's Hi to
Round TOp-a human breakWatRr against which the
great tidal OF Rebellion was that day 10 dash In
vain and be thrown back in bloody spray aud broken
hiOws The Rebel chieftaiu flushed by his success az
riumphs had arisen from the fact that he had fought
upon lis own soil behind natural Businesses having the
country had nsocnty crossed the Potomac invaded
the loyal State Of Pennsylvania But from this invasion
dered flight the Potomac never again 10 set
foot upon the soil Of loyal state On ondcr high ground
across the plain drawn IN battle tie Rebel
host 1t was open field the terms were nearly equal
and steady Northern valor, animated by the love Of
lighting Slavery sweep IL from the field strip ii Of us
Rcretrcous plumes, aud give the Confederacy fatal
IL Is The solid qualities Of and nations that win in
the long The chyay OF false pride the arrogance
and vanity Of favored class whose elevation IL only
seen By tho depression OF Others may by spasmodic
Efforts Tor mo dazzle tho eyes OF the world, but can
and c OF free institutions This wasustrated
IN tho war OF the rebellion ana IN the Datte OF Getys
military genius although managed win great courage
Tigrcrs Who left nothing undone that the occasion
seemed t. require aud who made the best use OF the
forces ana opportunities at their command.
I "a - "A
first and second days In which the steadines OF Northern
Valor apinated by the convictions OF Just cause and
tho love and pride OF great free country finally
out bore down. and swept from the field the Rebel masses
conpoeed OF men OF equal physical courage Snt whose
conviction Of the right which is vast eementof success
AZ where heaves the turf IN many a mOdering heap"
tho buried generations OF the hamlet, planted
numbering dead It not ordained that they should
awake only at the sound OF the last trump just behind
the crest Of b the old cemetery stood tho tent OF
orr glorious commander, the imperturbable Meade
calmly debating his orders while the storm OF shot and
west of the village the Rebel cheftain surveyed
(he field directed his host, and from tme TO time saw
frea I'm hopeless flight and confusion. The flower Of the
Rebel army had been chosen for the assault ara were
oipt of attack The Rebel ehieftan brought together
more than $50 pieces Of artillery WITH winch Tor three
hours he poured terrific fire upon that part OF the Union
lines be intended 20 assault a., -,
IL was grand and solemn sight, when line aIler me,
with steady step and IN perfect order emerged from the
smoke and swept the field toward the Union army
Jt was OF vast peril ana import OF Whloh DOyl
,ties were powerfully conscious IL she Rebel assault
Was successful and lost the battle, Washington and
Philadepbia were within their grasp. The North IN
Xsded defeated, and demOrallzed. would dove know
NOT what Foreign nations would be encouraged TO inter
Vene and the South eated would put forth more despe
rsfe cffOrts than before the assault failed ana We
gained the battle tho pem.aDt OF the Rebel hosts must
seek safety In flight and blow would DO Inflicted upon
fhe COnfeAeraey from which II could scarcely recover
These thoughts present IN the minds OF all and gave
heroic courage assault and 10 resist Bpt nov the
Ere OF our artillery opened upQp the advancing col
umns and ting shot and shell tore through their ranks
making great gaps, which quickly filled
M By those who came behind. But onward they
came with desperate courage, until soon the fierce IRE
Of nusketry on both sdes mingled with the hOTr6 roar
Of artillery Then, with terrific yeS they rushed upon
our nes but the impetus Of their assault was suddenly
checked. They met by courage as desperate a.
fhsIr own and fierce handtOhand conflict took place.
The result was not long doubtful Their thinned and
broken columns flung back across the plain In head
long flight leaving thousands OF prisoners IN our hands
muddy with blood. We had gained the day, though at
fearful The victory great and mighty IN us
ioOnee0u0aees The prestige OF the Rebel army MAS
broken never 10 be recovered. and the wound inflicted