The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-07-06
GEN. MEADE AT THE DEDICATION OF
GETTYSBURG MONUMENT.


Gen. Meade has twice appeared ct Gettys. |
burr-ouce in the capacity Of a warrior de-
Tending his country, and again as mourn
er at the graves of his fallen comrades on
the occasion Of the unwilling Of the monn'
ment erected 10 their memory on the lat. Of
this month. AS was e:ninently proper, he |
was called on to address the people there
assembled, before the monument was IN
yelled. He had fought the battle which had
given the place TO history and to fame, and
his remarks were worthy the man and tho
occasion. They contrast most favorably and
hoporably 10 him with those made at our
own dedication, and fully illustrate the diff
ference in the snimus peryading those who
fought in the war and those who staid at
home and did the talking. We subioin in
full the reported remarks of Gen, Meade;
My FELLOW CITIZENS, LADIES ASD GEN
TLEusx.--Slx years ago | stood upon this
grouud under circumstances very different
from those which now surround us. These
beautiful hills and valleys, now teeming with
uxurant crops these happy faces around
me, are widely different from the tumultuons
roar of war and terrible scenes enacted at
that time. -Four years ago stood here, by
invitation of some honorable gentlemen
who have brought me here this time, and
laid the corner stone ofthe monument which
we are brought together to-day to dedicate;
and now for the third time | appear before
YOU, at the request Of the managers OF the
Monument Association, to render my
assistance humble as 1t IS, IN
paying respect to the memory OF
the brave men who fell here, by dedica
ting this monument to them and at the re-
quest of these gentlemen ! am about to
make to you few, very few, remarks, which
are incidental to the occasion aud suggested
by it. When look around and see, as
now see, so many brave men who were by
nv side in that memorable battle, among
them his excellency, the present governor
of Pennsylvania, General Geary, and 9TH
ers who were with me at that tune; when
look back and think upon the noble spirits who
then fought so well and now sleep the
sleep that knows no waking-gallant Rey'
nolds, my bosom friend as well rs my right
Weed and others far more in numbers than
| have time or words to menton-my feel
ings are those of mingled sadness and Joy
sadness, my friends, TO think that there ever
was an occasion when such men should be
arrayed in battle as they were here th"twe
should ever have been called upon, as we
were upon this field, to defend the tag OF
our country and government, which was
handed down to us from our toretathers;
sad TO think Of the mourning and desoation
which Frustrated our whole land, north and
south; sad to contemplate the vast destruc
ton Of life which we here wrought IN obedl
ence to our highest duty. ! am filled with
sadness to think of the hosts of mourning
widows and orphans left throughout thu
land BY that struggle. Such thought natur
ally comes upon US. At the same time
feel gratitude and Joy; gratitude to the Al
mighty who directed the event, and who sc
lected me as an humble instrument, with thos
then around me upon this field, to obta
that decisive victory which turned the It'd
of that great war and settled forever, trus
in this country, the principles of persona
liberty and constitutional freedom Gar
plause feel gratitude, too, that our te
low countrymen have been moved to sue
respect and honor as we aEe now paying /
the memory of those men who, in the dI
charge of their duty, laid down their live
proving by the highest sacrifice ma
can render their devotion to the cause the
we're defending; gratitude to those preset
to day, who by their presence contribute
render high honor justly due to the fale
braves. There is one subject, my friend
,,I 7 u Al -,
where my attention has been called 10
and in which, | trust, my feeble voice vi
have some influence. When | contempla
this field see here and there, marked wi
hastily dug trenches, the graves in whit
the dead with whom we fought are gathere
They are the work of brothers in arms Il
day after the battle. Above them bit
plank indicates simply that these renal
OF the fallen foe aere hurriedly laid the
By the soldiers who met them in bait
Why should we not collect them in SOL
suitable place? do not ask that
monument be erected over them. do u
ask that we should in any way endorse The
cause or their conduct, or entertain 9th
than feelings Of condemnation for the
course. But they are dead they have gol
before their Maker to be Judged. In
civilized countries it is usage to bury Il
dead with decency and respect, and even
ialen enemies respectful burial is accord
m death. iApplause) | earnestly ho
'1's aEgestion may have some in6uen
throughout this broad land, for this is on
one among a hundred crowded battle field
Dome persons may be designated bv Il
government 1t necessary, to collect the
neglected bones and bury them witbo
commemorative monuments, but s;mnlv
dica:e that below sleep the misguided m,
who fell in battle for a cause over which d,
triumFe"d. shall detain you no long
TOR you are about to listen TO che Of I
most eloquent men in this country,
purpose was simply to comply with the Ii
invitation given to me to speak meet wo
of praise for the dead heroes sleep
around, and in the solemnities of this oct
ion thank you for your attention. and
asw gnvsil the statue,