Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-07-02
ube National Monument.

ruCeeu GuouSdnu P0OPAO O"nO W.
gether yesterday to dedicate anew the
beautiful cemetery which no words
could so consecrate as the tender
speech of Abraham Lincoln, uttered
here six years ago. The cemetery lies
on hill, swept over by the storm of
battle in those terrible days of July.
On the spot where they fell the soldiers
lie buried. Commissioners of every
State, whose sons sleep here, have had
the cemetery in charge. Each State
has contributed her portion toward the
cost of the gounds and erection of the
monument and yesterday the eigh-
teen commissioners resigned their six
years trust, and delivered the cemete-
ry to the National Government.
On the platform sat Gen. Meade,
Secretary Rawlins, GeR. Robinson,
Gen. Parker, Gov. Geary, Gov. Padel-
ford, Gov. Baldwin, Gov. Fairchild,
Gov. Ward, Gov. Jewell, the Hon. ST.
mon Cameron, the Hon. Mr.. Ferry. the
Hon. Edward Mcpherson, Rev. Fl. w.
Beecher, Bayard Taylor, and many dis
tinguished citizens of Pennsylvania.
The public ceremonies were opened
with music from a fine band. Then
Henry Ward Beecher, uttered solemn
prayer in the large, and loving, and
fervent words so familiar from his lips.
Gen. Meade said a few earnest words,
recalling the history of thespot recognize
ing the courage, and self-sacrifice. and
patience that made this day possible.
and feelingly pleading that the bones
of the Rebel dead should be gathered,
and kindly and decently inferred.
After music from a volunteer choir
from Baltimore, the monument was
unvailed, while the Star Spangled Ban
ner was played. The monument is an
oberlisk of granite, so feet high, sur
mounted by the inevitable figure of
Fame, in white marble. At the base
are four projections, on each of which
stands q commemorative figure.
A belt of thirty-six stars surrounds
the column, and the front and the
national bird is emblazoned on the
front an entablature bares the date of
the battle, July 1, 2, and 3, 1868.
Senator Morton, sitting in his chair,
read his speech on the causes of the
triumph of the Norht and the future of
the Republic. 1t was comprehensive,
mildly belligerent, able and extremely
energetic, but fell without response on
the ears of those phlegmatic border
farmers. Then Bayard Taylor read his
fine poem. The great audience stood
quiet, touched by its grandeur and
simplicity his clear voice bore the
swelling strain far out over the Sum
mer fields ; and the sweet Charity, and
Forgivness and Reconciliation which
he invoked seemed to stand visibly be-
side the leveled graves Music sound
ed again and then prayer was breath
ed.
The x 1 y... IA. n.,n4u,s.a
untold igao" a, aA-n, AarshaicI eaD
array more powerful-the little army OF
the little children of dead soldiers. To
their great delight, he reviewed them
and gave them a bit of friendly talk,
and they cheered in small voices. Mary
land, in the form of gallant young
officer, gave them a flag, and the small
voices cheered again. After the chill
dren had dispersed, the crowd drifted
away, lingering in the quiet place, or
wandering off to the old attle-field, or
coming into town with friendly speech
and handshakings, right and left To-
night Gettysburg will be'a village
again, forgetting already the faces of
her 20, 600 inhabitants of to-day.