The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-03
GORDON, of GEORGIA.
HIS ADMIRABLE ADDRESS YEsTER-
DAY AT GETTYSBURG.
Words Breathing Fraternity-He is
Greeted With Great Cordiality--A
Gathering from Which the Spirit OF
Ingalls, Is Absent.

GErrYsBURG, Pa, July AT the re-
union of survivors OF the battle of Gettys-
burg, Gov. Gordon delivered an address.
When he appeared before the great crowd
that filled the vast lawn before the rostrum
the cheers and hurrahs were almost deaf
ening, and throughout his speech he was
interrupted by cries Of good" "hurah,"
and other expressions OF pleasure and APP
proval, such as must have been flattering
in the extreme 10 Georgia's chief execu-
tive. He said:
Mr. President and Fellow-Soldiers: I
greet you tonight with far less trepidation
and infinitely more pleasure than in the
early days OF July, 1868, when last met
you at Gettysburg. l came then, as now,
meet the soldiers OF the Union army. 1t
would be useless to attempt utterance OF
the thoughts which now thrill my spirit.
The temptation is to draw the contrast be-
tween the scenes which then were wit
messed and which greet us here to-
night; to speak Of the men with whom
then marched and OF those whom we met;
Of those who have survived to meet again
twenty-five years later and Of those who
here fought and fell; OF the contrast made
by this mass Of manly cordiality and good
fellowship with the long lines OF dusty
uniforms, which then stood in battle array
beneath bayonets and spread ensigns,
moving in awful silence and with suIIen
tread TO grapple each other in deadly con-
flct. would speak of all these and of
the motives which impelled each OF the
swaying tides OF the three days bat.
ties, OF the final Federal victory.
and OF its preponderating influence in
turning the scales OF war. The nature OF
the pleasing duty assigned me forbids this.
There is, however, one suggestion which
dominates my thought at this hour, TO pre-
sent which ask brief indulgence. OF all
the martial virtues, the ono which Is per-
haps more characteristic OF the truly brave
is the virtue of magnanimity. "My fairest
earldom would give to bid Clan Alpine's
chieftain live," was the noble sentiment
attributed TO Scotland's magnanimous
monarch as he stood gazing into the face
OF his slain antagonist. That sentiment,
immortalized by Scott in his musical and
martial verse, will associate for all time the
name of Scotland's king with those OF tho
great spirits OF the past. How grand the
exhibitions of the same generous impulses
that characterize the victors upon this
memorable field. My fellow-countrymen
OF the north, il may be permitted to speak
for those whom represent, let me assure
you that in the proioundest depths of their
nature they reciprocate that generosity
with all the manliness and sincerity OF
which brave men are capable. In token
Of that sincerity they join in consecrating
for annual patriotic pilgrimage these his
toric heights, which drank such copious
draughts OF American blood poured 50
freely in discharge OF duty, as each con-
ceived it-a mecca Tor the north which so
grandly defended IL; mecca for the
south which 80 bravely and persistently
stormed il. We join you in setting apart
this land as an enduring monument OF
peace, brotherhood and perpetual union.
/ repeat the thought with additional ep2x&
phasis, with singleness OF heart and a.
purpose, in the name OF q common COZ
Try and OF universal human liberty md BY
the blood OF our fallen brothers. We unite
in the solemn conservation OF these
battle hallowed hills rs holy
eternal pledge OF fidelity 10 the life,
freedom and unity OF this cherished repub-
lie. am honored tonight in being selected
TO introduce one Of the distinguished rep
rcsentatives OF that spirit OF magnanimity
OF which havespoken. Iprescnt to you
soldier without fear, reproach or
malice; soldier whose blood was split
and whose body was MANNED, though
then but a boy. while he bnvsly
and gladly obeyed his country's
commands. introduce TO you a states
man whose services are distinguished and
whose record Is stainless. ! Introduce TO
you patriot, whose extended hand and
generous heart are ever open to all his
countrymen. Soldier. statesman, patriot,
present them all in the person OF Gen.
Gov. james A. Beaver, OF Pennsylvania"