The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-06-05
DECORATION DAY Ceremonies At
GETTYSBURG.
A Speech by Presi-
dent Hayes.


GETTYSBURG, Pa, May 30-Tht
annual tribute to the national dead
at Gettysburg was paid under cir
cumstances of the greatest interest
Not since President Lincoln dedica
ted the cemetery has it been graeeG
by 10 many distinguished citizens
As early as Wednesday morning
strangers began to arrive, and by
night the hotels were crowded tC
overiowing.
The weather to-day was fne, flag:
were everywhere displayed, and the
streets were throrged with visitors
The Chambersburg Greys arrived al
| A. NJ, after twelve hours march
They are a guard Of honor to Presi.
dent Hayes. During the whole fore.
noon the rush Of visiting strangers
continued. Five large excursion
trains from Miliin, Harrisburg, Ian.
caster, York and Washington brought
at least 6,000 persons, accompanied
by a number of bands of music.
The morning was spent by The
Presidential party in viewing the
battlefield, visiting Round Top.
Culp's Hill, Cemetery Hill and oth-
err prominent points under the guild
ance of General Crawford and Gen.
Bachelor. About noon the Presi-
dent returned 10 the residence of Mr..
Mcpherson, where be remained un.
til the beginning of the memorial ex.
e~rcises.
III GRAND PROCESSION
moved to the cemetery in a binding
rain, which lasted until five O'Clock
At two O'Clock the column. headed
By a platoon of the Grand Army of
the Republic, advanced. They
were followed by General Butler.
Gen. Slayton and ladies in carriages,
escorted by the Chambersburg Crews.
The rear was formed by companies
of the Grand Army, bearing bouquets
10 be placed upon the graves. The
procession moved along Baltimore
street, still under a d~reuching rain.
and as it entered the gates
of the cemetery the bands
played the Dead March. A few
minutes afterward the President end
other distinguished persons arrived
in carriages. For a few moments
they stopped to admire the National
monument, while the Cbambersburg
Greys and Grand Army placed bo-
quets on the graves. Regardless of
the storm hundreds Of persons throng-
ed the cemetery, the stage being sur
rounded by o dense crowd which
could scarcely be penetrated by the
Presidential party. The ceremonies
were opened by prayer by Rev. Ne.
Leod. Gen. Slayton introduced
Hon. Benjamin F. Butler, who de-
livered m eloquent Grafton on "The
Private Soldier in the War of the
Rebellion" Ex-Governor Curtin, of
Penna., was next presented, and
spoke e%loquently, eliciting much ap-
plause. As Hon. Edward McPher-
o introduced the President of the
United States ringing cheers arose,
and President Hayes spoke as toll.
lows:
THE PIP FSTnrvr'S sprrcu
Fellow Citizens: The battle Of
Gettysburg will probably always be
regarded as the battle which did
more than any other to determine the
result of the great civil wal in the
United States. The honored dead
who fought and persisted here will
therefore be forever held in special
and grateful remembrance. The great
martyr of the conflict was Abraham
Lincoln. He, by his IMMORTAL words.
here, has i~ndissolubly linked
his name. fame and memory with the
battle Of Gettysburg. Lincoln gave
his life, and the brave men who re-
sponded to his call gave their lives
for the Union, for liberty and for a
stable constitutional Government.
They believed that our institutions
were equal to any emergency, and
thsy ought to be maintained at
the cost of property or Of life. If our
assembling in this place shall ftly
honor the men we now wish remem-
bered with gratitude it viii be be-
cause, beholding these scenes aud
contemplating the example Of the be-
roes who made Gettysburg illustrious,
we shall be able to estimate more
the value of our country and
Of Der institutions, and be better pre-
pared for the duties which, under
Providence, have devolved upon us.
Let US here give heed to the words
Of Abraham Lincoln. Let Us here
resolve that these dead shall
not have died in vain, that the ma
lion, under God, shall have q new
birth of freedom, and that q Govern
nent of the people and by the people
shall not perish from the earth. (En-
thusiastic applause.)
Attorney General Devens spoke
and ~eloquently on the sub
ect Of the battle of Gettysburg. and
Secretary McCrary also made a brief
address. The ceremonies were con-
with a benedietion. At 6 p. NJ.
Presidential party left Getsys-
burg by special train for Washington
amid enthusiastic cheers.
4 Desperate Lyncsed.