The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-04
BLUE AND GRAY.
The Great Reunion at Gettysburg.
Gov. Gordon Delighted With the
Spirit of the Occasion.
An Eloquent Address Yesterday
by George William Curtis.
How the Soldiers of Each Army
Began the Battle.
The valor Displayed on Both Sides
The Import of the Critical Con-
fict-History Made on
That Day.

GETTYSBURG, Pa, July 3.-There was a
strange similarity between this day and
that Of just twenty-five years ago. Then
the armies Of Meade and Lee confronted
seich other. So today the Federals and
Confederates were once more on hessfeld,
and again was the one on Seminary ridge
and the other on Cemetery hill. Nothing
unusual occurred TO break the monotony
until 4 clock, when the Unions and Con-
federate met once more at almost the same
hour they had joined in deadly combat
twenty five years ago.
Gen. ]. b. Gordon, OF Georgia, was
compelled, by his official position as chief
executive, to leave for Atlanta this after
noon. To the Associated Press representa-
tive, in answer OF the question what was
his opinion Of the reunion, he said: This
meeting wss great success, and II these
reunions between the soldiers could occur
yearly il would serve 10 cement the friend
ly feeling Of the blue and gray more close
ly and 70 bind the north and south so
firmly that there would be no north and
south but one country linked together by
the chains Of friendship"
At o'clock the procession, composed OF
the same military commands as yesterday,
entered the national cemetery and marched
past the rostrnm. At the conclusion OF
the parade, Gen. Robinson, Of New York,
as presiding officer, requested the Rev.
Twitchell, Of Hartford, Conn, 10 open the
/ exercises with prayer The prayer was
Nistened TO with uncovered heads, and
Shen. in concluding, he began the Lorl's
d.. sl.. satn In lao ~
cSe occasion, George Parsons IAithrop,
lts unable TO be present. but part Of his
rSem was read by Gen. Horatio c. King.
\. pe secretary Of the Society Of the Army OF
m She Potomac, and was received by the au.
Wence with much applause.
kiAWhen the orator. George William Curtis,
o~.p p>rcsented, the three cheers were called
Xysy Gen. Sharpe, and he was greeted
'--ssuty applause at the conclusion Of
his Grafton.
Following Is an extract from Mr.. Curtis
address:
II was war without precedent for the
grandeur Of its Significance, for the vast.
ness OF its resources, and for the stern
teracity Of It's combatants. II was q con.
test MT OF regular armies, nor OF mercenary
leVies 10 crafty dynastic ambition or "a
lican citizens self organized into military
hosts 10 maintain conflicting principles
held with equal sincerity and defended
with equal courage Only American valol
could hope successfully 10 assail American
Union, and nothing but the same valoi
could successfully maintain II. Yet even
that heroic devotion might not have with
stood the fiery onset OF an equally reso
lutte political conviction. But when Union
became identical In the minds Of its de
Tenders with human liberty and human
welfare, then the stars In their courses, the
hopes and prayers OF mankind, fought fol
the Union, and even II the conflict had
lasted 100 years the final event Of th,
mighty assault upon the Union would
have been typihcd In the last, brave, dcs
pera,e deed upon this field upon this da,
twenty-five years ago, the steady, magniil
cent, heroic-hopcless charge OF the gal
liant Pickett.
But that the glory Of this day, and o
America, and OF human nature, may b,
full, Il is the veterans and survivors Of th,
armies whose tremendous conflict inter
prcted the constitution, who today, her,
upon the field OF battle and upon its twen
ty.iith anniversary, clasp friendly hand
al sympathy 20 salute n common victory
This Is q spectacle without precedent IL
history. No field Of the cloth of gold, o
OF the grounded arms, no splendid seen,
of the royal adjustment OF conquesis, III,
sdiplomalic settlement Of treaties, or th,
rJapal Indictment Of crusades, rivals IL
-hnoral grandeur and significance this sim
PIE pageant. II IL not for one who did
not bear arms In the strife 10 attempt q
express the emotion which fills the hear
OF every veteran upon this field at this mo
ment, and which the glowing words o
welcome and response that have beer
already spoken by those whose title :,
speak is the highest possible, have ade
quately and eloqucntly expressed. Mo-
would you ask OF me 10 repeat tU you thu
details Of battle Of which you were th'
combatanis, battle In which every soldie
was hero, where dauntless courage ant
sublime resolve contested every step, ant
where, amid the awful scene, as 900 iont
traditions tell, the trucst and tcndefest ant
loiticst qualities Of American manhood, IL
life and In death, were equally displayed
twenty-five ycars ago, soldiers OF thl
gray, breaking up on the Rappahannocl
lust n month before this day, your heart
beating high with the Joy Of many yicto
ries, your hopes bent on turning back tri
umphantly the food Of aggressive war
YOU eludcd the foe, and crossing the Poto
mac moved swiftly forward up the Cum
bcrland valley, your fires by night fash
ing against yondcr mountains, your lonJ
stretched lines by day pressing forwar,
until they lowered around this spot
reaching In sudden incunions even acros
the Susquehanna and meditaiing In th'
tranquil heart OF great aud prosperou
commonwealth, n mighty blow whicl
should shake the capital, dishoartcn tn
people and practically decide the issue o
the war. The last sun Of June sinkinI
behind the western mountains saw you
force concentrating yondcr 20 the north
). west, pcrilousy near 10 thislittle town an'
tranquilly awaiting the dawn OF n day o
anticipated victory. Meanwhile, soldier
lNthe blue, long.tricd. untiring and undis
mayed, marching further 10 the east am
covering the capital. you moved north
ward on various lines, uncertain OF th
point wlisfe battle would be offered, bu
pressing steadily under n burning sun
looking for the Zoe, undisturbed, although
upon the march your commanding genera
was changed, still pushing on toward tb
spot which sheltered hitherto In happ
obscurity, was about 10 be baptized wit