Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-07-03
THE GRAND Procession
Hold Dedicatory Services on the
Field.
They Lay the Corner Stone Of the Memo
rial Church.
Members of the Famous Irish Brigade"
are in Attendance.
GErrYsBURG. ,July 9

| Potomac had its animal meeting at the rink
They selected Orange, n. j., as the ne 1t
place of assemblage and elected Gen. Joshua
| Chamberlain president for the ensuing ear
A telegram was sent to Gen. SHE ridan con-
| graduating him on his convalescence. AT
1 80 the grand procession moved from the
| centre of the :quare and passed out of Balti-
more street along which the federal troops
retreated after the bloody struggle of the
first day, 10 the national cemetery. Into
this it turned and swept up the northern
avenue TO the beautiful rostrum. Here,
within hearing of tho spot where Lincoln
made his immortal speech at the dedication
of the soldiers monument Nov. -, 1868 the
exercises of the reunion between the blue
and the gray took place. On the rostrum
the front row OF chairs was occupied by
Gen. Sickles, Gen. Beaver, Gen. Robinson
(all with crutches), Gen. Gordon of Georgia,
Gen. Graham, Gen. Buttertieid, Rev. DIR.
Valentine of the South Theological SEM
mary. A selection was made of Gen.
Slckles as presiding officer.
Gen. Sickles SAID This assembly marks
an epoch. You are the survivors of the two
great armies. You and your comrades
fought here the decisive battle of the long
and terrible civil war. Twenty five years
have passed away and the combatants of '63
come together Oh ,onder held of battle, to
unite in our pledges OF love and devotion to
one constitution, one Union, one flag. TO
day there are victors, no unvanquished. As
Americans we may all claim II share in the
glvries ot this battlefield, memorable for So
many brilliant feats of arms. No STAN
rests upon the color of any Atallion or bat
terry Of trools that contend. d
here for victory. The gallant Buford who
gan the battle, brave Pickett who closed the
struggle, tiily represent the the iuteprd hosts
that for three years riyaled each other in
titles 10 martial renown. Among the hun
dred memur al struggles on this field, there
is not enc bearing an inciiption that wounds
the susceptibility of an honorable and gal
liant foe. This meeting is 1t historical event
We dedicate today an altar sacred to the
peace aud tranquility of the nation. We
SOW seeds OF frici dship between communi-
ties, states and populations, Once hostile
we are now recoDciled. We all share rich
harvest etped BY the whole coun
try North, South East and West,
from the new America born on this battle
field, when the republic consecrated her in
stitutions to liberty and justice. 1t is some
times said that it is not wise to per
petuate the memories of civil war and
such was the Roman maxim, but our civil
was not a conspiracy against rule, not a plot
of the soldier TO oust the rival, not pro-
nunciamento conflict of lS6l-5. Ii was
war OF institutions, the systems and policies
of the revolution ranking with those of the
French revolution and the English revolu-
ton of the 18th century, universal in benef
cient influence on the destinies of this coun-
try, inefecable in the footprints made in the
path of our national progress. Memories of
such was as indestructable as our civiliza-
tion. The names of Lincoln. Lee, Grant
and jackson can never be effaccd from our
annals. For valor, fortitude and achieve
ments, both armies were never surpassed IN
any age that demands record in American
history. Now that time, thought common
sense and common interests have softened all
the animosites of war, we may bury them
forever, whilst we cherish and perpetuate as
Americans the immortal heritage of hol or
belonging to the republic that became i'm
perlshable when it became free. The war
of 1S6l-5 was our heroic age. 1t dem
onstrated the vitality of repub
lican institutions. 1t illustrated the
martial spirits, resources and genius
of the America soldier aud sailor. 1t was a
war in which the sentiments of ideas domi-
mated the interests of lavish sacrifice of blood
ness of the people OH both sides. Men aud
women, old and young, rich and poor sig
nallzed the great conflict as the heroic age
of the republic. We now see that obstinacy
of war on both sides compelled settlement
of all elements of dsunion between the
North and South. Earlier peace might have
been mere truth TO be followed by recur-
ring hosulites. We fought until the fur
mace melted all our discords and moulded US
in one homogenus natloh. Let us all be de-
voutely thankful that God spared us to Wit
ness and share in the blessings bestowed b,
providence on our country, and compensa-
ton for the countless sacrifices made TO es-
tabish it on just and firm foundation. A
government of the people, by the people and
for the people. For one | rejoice that am
here today TO meet SO many comrades, so
many fues, and unite with all in pledges of
friendship and fraternity. Now | ask you
one and all. survivors blue and gray, to affirm
with one voice our unanimous resolve to
maintain our Union. preserve our institn-
tions and defend our coast.
Eloquent Words from Gen. Gordon.
When Gen. Gordon appeared before the
great crowd cheers almost deafening greeted
him. Throughout bis speech he was inter
rupted by cries of good" ''hurrah," aud
other expressions of pleasure and approval.
He said
| greet you tonight with fearless trepida-
tion and infinitely more pleasure than in the
early days of July. SO, when 1 last met you
at Gettysburg | came then, as now, TO meet
the soldiers of the Union army 1t would be
useless to attempt the utteIance of thoughts
which nov thrill my spirit There is temp
tatluu to draw the contrast between the scenes
then witnessed and now, to speak of the men
with v hom marched and those whom VT
met. of the contrast made by this Hass of
manly, cordialty and good fellowship with
the long lines of dusty uniforms which then
stn,,a in hatilp arraY heneaih xlisfenIng hay