The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-01
THIRD EDITION
GETTYSBURG
The scones About the Soldiers Monu-
nent-The Ceremonies of the
Morning - Invocation by
Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher.
Eloquent Grafton by Governor Morton,
Of Indiana-A Noble Tribute to
the Heroes of Gettysburg.
FROM GETTYSBURG.
The CercIn onips of the ID fdiCnttOn Commence
About the Monument.


About the Monument.
Special Despatch to The Erenii,g Telegraph
GETTYsBURG, July 1.-The procession arrived
nj the cemetery in the order stated, and imme-
diately thereafter the speakers took their places
on the stage, while the people thronged the
ground in front and to the sides of the plat
form The monument, veiled in canvas, was
directly facing the speakers The scene was
more than impressive; it solemn. The semi
circle of graves around the audience shut out
every irreverent sound, and made the heart of
every one serious.
The Ceremonies.
Mr.. David Wills, chairman iof the committee,
announced, after the swaying mass was some
what restored to equilibrium, that the pro-
gramme as published would be strictly followed.
The exercises then opened with music from the
Germania Orchestra of Philadelphia, after which
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher delivered the intro
ductory prayer, as follows:-
The Invocation.
We thank Thee Almighty God, that Thou hast
ever been the God OF this land, and hast ever be-
friended the of liberty; that when the struggle
came Thou aldedst those who assisted the OF
the Union; that Thou caused patriotism TO burn in
the hearts OF the people, and made them willing to
sacrifice their lives to their country. We cannot
call Thy blessings upon the dead who sleep here
but, God bless the homes that here are made
poorer and sadder by their death.
Omnipotent hand; grant thy Blessing to rest upon
this servant who commanded here, and remember
al associated with him here. Remember the SOL
diers everywhere. Attend their steps to the end of
life. Grant Thy blessing upon this whole nation and
upon these new foundations Of liberty and piety.
Grant THIS people may be built up in strength.
Bless the President Of the United States and may
his path he peaceful.
Gnard the army and navy of the United States,
and may they continue TO uphold the flag of the
Union. Counsel with those who counsel against
oppression. Let Thy blessing fall upon the whole
earth
gathered all 80 Thee. Amen.
The Ode.
The ION Musical Association, of Baltimore,
then sang the CS.orus "Once More the Spot"
from the Cantata of Ester, an additional stanza
being written by the leader. Ihe words OF the
ode were as follows:--
sst 4s sss w Il tread
Chant we our reauiem MN moqEniuily a aS and sd slow
sa sHsF 81 am
Wake in our fond hearts loves undyipg flame.
Green be the sod above each noble breast.
Green be the hillocks DER this hallowed clay,
sweet be sTSS eSrand Owing hands % bring
Tender the lay the minstrel harp shall sing.
Mem'ries, bright, ETC.
The sound of the drum, the notes Of the fife,
The banners that waved in the mdst s Of the strife
Here silent in death in each hOnored grave.
Mem'ries, bright, etc.
General Meade's Address.
Maor-General Meade then spoke few words
previous to unveiling the monument. He said
that several times he had stood upon this field
once as commander in the great battle, other
times as a participant in peaceful though sad
celebration
AZ see around me here many men who were with
me during the conflict, and my heart warns towards
them as it weeps for the heroes who sleep beneath
this Sod"
With few more words alluding to the issues
of the war, he concluded, and then proceeded to
the unveiing of the monument.
The Monument Unveiled.
double line of soldiers was drawn up, form
ing an avenue from the stage to the monument,
through which the General proceeded. Upon
reaching the shaft he seized the ropes suspend
ing the canvas, and, with some slight assistance,
removed the covering, disclosing to view the
two statues of War and History already in place,
as well as the noble shaft and figure above them.
Loud Cheers
burst from the assembled multitude. One gun
for each State was then fired as q salute.
Governor Morton's Grafton.
The Hon. o. P. Morton, orator of the oeca-
sion, was then introduced and received with
loud and cordial applause, stating to the
audience that on account of physical infrmity
he would be compelled to speak from his seat,
He said-
When the monument we are about to dedicate
shal have crumbled into DUST when the last vestge
OF this cemetery shall have been obliterated by the
hand of time; when there shall be nothing left OF all
weeee now but the hills, the Valleys the streams,
and the distant mountains, the great battle which
here took place. with its far-reachng consequences,
will still live in history. Nations have their birth,
youth, maturity Old age, ana death; anu ours,
though we call It eternal, and our institutions i'm
mortal, will be no exception. But though nations
must pass away, and all physical evidence OF their
existence be lost yet may they live through ali time,
in the brightness of their examples, in the glory OF
their deeds and in the beneeence OF their institu-
tons These are the nheritances they may leave To
the far-cOning centuries.
When the pyramids OF Egypt shall have sunk TO
the level Of the Nile; when the last stremnant OF Gre
clan architecture, the last Inscribed block or mar
BILE, shall have perished men will still read OF Moses
and the pass OF Thermopyle. Monuments, after all,
are but for the present, and may only instruct few
generations But glorious deed is JOY forever.
Six years ago, day after tomorrow, the Union
army was stretched along these heights from Cups
hin to Round TOp-a human breakwater, against
which the great tidal wave OF Rebellion was that
day 20 dash In vain, and be thrown back In bloody
spray and broken blll0ws The Rebel chieltaln,
cellorsVle, forgetting that his trlumphs had
arisen from the fact that he had fought
upon his SOIL behind natural fasne ses, having
the advantage of choice of position and knowledge
OF the country had insolently crossed the Potomac
and invaded the loyal State OF Pennsylvania Bu
from this invasion he was hurled back IN bloody de
feat, and IN disordered hight to cross the Potomac
never again TO set foot upon the soil OF loyal State
On yOnder high ground across the plain was drawn
out In battle array the Rebel host 10 was an Oper
neld, the terms were nearly equal, and steady North
ern val0r, animated by the love Of country, K
meet the boasted chvalry OF the South lighting f0
slavery, sweep II from the field, strip IL of its mere
trcions plumes, and give the Confederacya fata
wound
II is the solid qualities of men and nations that vii
pf I'm 1qn nrina fllaa