The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-07

assembled upon the stand, with the main body
of visitors in front and below, were formally
welcomed by Governor Pattison as follows:
MY Fellow Citizens-We are glad 10 be with
you to-day We rejoice in the presence of the
executive of the Union, of the great common
wealth AS citizens of Pennsylvania, we tho
people, extend to him welcome. We offer to
him the pacific inequalities of Pennsylvania.
and we congratulate him upon the peace and
prosperity and happiness enjoyed by cur people
throughout the length and breadth of the land. !"
Major Martin Maginnis ezdelegate in Con-
gress from Montana, replied to the Governors
ors of both armies this is holy ground, hallowed
by the deeds of their comrades who crimsoned
this turf with their blood, and consecrated it by
their death. Not more changed is this field
from the day when it was red with battle than
is our entire country, whose new career hung on
the issue of the fight. The warning States are
restored to unity. our resources developed be-
yond all expectation, and our wealth increased
beyond belief. The population now nearly
doubled, the North enriched, the West expand
ed, the South recovered from the waste of war,
and the reconstruction of her social and political
system is again a source of strength, fountain
of prosperity and miracle of renewed loyalty
to that Union whose foundations were largely
laid by the valor and virtue of her revolutionary
sons"
WAR we need not fear. The nations of the
earth are shaken by its mutterings. The Union
is at peace with no desire to disturb the smallest
of nations, with no fear that the greatest can
disturb us. Men and parties change in harmony
with the workings of free government but every
citizen of every class and color knows that his
rights, his liberties and his country are safe in
the hands of any men or any party who can
command the confidence and support of the
American people. Never more safe thapin the
hands of our distinguished guest the President
whose wise and conservative administration will
we believe, give US peace abroad and good gov
eminent at home"
Mr. Black. Commissioner of Pensions was the
next speaker. He said
"This sight upon which we gaze, this perform
ance Of which we are part, was never equaled
since the world began; for it there has been
neither type nor model, Courtesies have pre-
coded other contests; the hand of mercy has
often stayed the sword in its descent, but never
has civilization witnessed such triumph of its
noblest tenets, or such practice Of its sublimest
precepts. This day on Gettysburg is a greater
triumph than that of near quarter century ago.
That was triumph of arms: this is the tr-
umph of the holier, wiser nature. Conspicu-
ously here exhibited that power which mocks
the vaor of the brave, and holds Of slight conse-
4uence the counsels of the wise.
AS we turn away from this place they who
here felt that liberty might endure, that free
dom might become universal, that the nation
might grow in material splendor, and the af-
fections of mankind, speaking by their surviving
comrades feeble lips. cry hail to the incarnate
power of the spreading triumphant and eternal
Republic"
General Rosecrans, as chairman of the con-
gressional committee on invitations on behalf of
the First corps. was charged with the duty of
welcoming the national legislators. He briefly
sketched the origin and growth of the principles
American. and their embodiment in our national
Constitution.