New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-10
THE INDICATION or THE BATTLE-FIELD OF
GETTYSBUEG, Pa.

GETTYSBURG, Pa, Sept. At is amusing to see
some of the expressions OF opinion respecting
the recent indications of this battlefield. One
of the most noticeable is that contained in the
letter of your correspondent written at this place.
and dated the sd of August. He complains that the
indication movement failure, for want OF promi
nent officers In sufficient numbers to give lite
decisions an authentic stamp and that 1t orei'
mated in an effort TO advertise certain watering
place interests II he had not been in such haste he
would have been able, by reservng his decision to the
end of the week. report the presence OF good many
officers whose absence he bemOaned And, II there was
an advertisement at the bottom Of the whole thing It's
nest egg was laid good while ago, for the Memorial
Association formed after the battle, and the
project Of indication has discussed times
since, by the Generals well by members Of this AS
sociaton, which latter comprises OF the foremost
men Of the country, including the Governor Of Penn
syvania, who is its chief executive officer
One OF your contemporaries THE Neio- York Tines
refers letter addressed to that Journal which makes
the point that is impossible to properly indicate
this field, owing 90 the death absence OF
manding officers, upon which the editor comments:
Besides, meeting like this is very apt be seized
upon as an opportunity for making regulations which
We're not made on the day of battle or for trying 10 save
regulations which then lost Even at best It quite
for aEhg it clear and straight What he result may be
the present we may leave the event to tell but,
1t attempts to turn the actual battle into theoretical
one, cunnngly weave what might have been done
ought TO have been done into what done, II pity
the scheme was ever c0ncOcted."
Another journal objects TO the process Of Indication
Others object to the invitation Of the Rebel Generals
participate in the operation. Another class Of public
journals take exceptions to the ball. and characterize
It dance graves" This telling point is made
against GOV. Geary, the honorary master OF ceremonies
fOr he was not presenO, by Democratic journals Of
and appears TO be confidently relied upon by
the Democracy campaign thunder sufficiently formid-
able to anniate the hero OF Cups Hill in the approach
ing gubernatorial election The piercing character Of
this point Will be apparent when 1t Is considered how
many Of the Democratic statesmen OF the country
danced "orer graves at Saratoga another memorable
American battlefield and also watering place. and when
is recolected that the most famous health and pleas
resorts Of past times have been battlefield The
Southern press have been equally becose, with few
exceptions. on the indication question. The press,
usual represents public opinion and public sentiment on
this subject.
Gen. Robert f. Lee thinks 1t would be better TO obllte
rate than preserve the memorials Of late civil strfe
which expression Of opinion raises the question Of the
practicabity Of celebrating the hills and wales Of Get
tys5urg and OF expungng the record of the deeds per-
formed upon them from the history Of the world II such
obera0n Of hills and valleys and such erasures Of his
tory were possible, and the treacherous memories Of
men would not preserve that which nature and history
had consplred to sink into oblivion then indeed IL might
be wei TO discuss the propety and expedency Of
indication as political measure But as neither ia prac
tcable or possible the point Is not well taken.
1t Is now apparent that the Southern Generals who
promised to attend the reunion Gettysburg we're inter
cepted in journey hther by messengers direct from
Gen Lee, or were prevented from doing 80 by their
Southern friends, and by the popular discomfort with
the movement The Southern sojourners at Gettysburg
who originally favored the proposed indication OF this
battlefield have caught the general infection OF epposi
tion and fauhndng and insist upon tho Rebel officers
coming up and indicating their own positions by a
separate meeting But these only few of the MANY
Inconsistent unreasonable, e1travagant. or absurd
theories advanced in regard to this matter.
Sensible men are confounded and perpexed by the ex.
traordnary discussion and opposition, which 1t has
elected but they nreaty but repetition OF those
which have been excited by the Introduction Of every
radically new aud important improvement or reform
There something dscomposing and irritating abont the
lprootng OF established opinions, habits or devices
however obvious their utility and Importance This |
species OF augmentation appears to be the suggestion OF
he mental agony occasoned by the abandonment OF old
Ana The reception OF new IDEAS, Tie indication plan Of