The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-07-10
THEY MEET In PEACE
On the Battlefield of Gettys-
l burg,
Veterans of Both Armies Addressed by
Governor Gordon. Who is Enthusias-
tically Cheered-Other Speakers.

Wlth people, majority of them veterans of
Ehe war. The earlier part of the day occu-
pied busily enough in holding regmental, bril-
Hgade and corps reunions and dedicating memo
Egials. At half past four grand procession
moved from Centre square and passed out Bal
&imore street along which the federal troops
lEetreated after the bloody fighting of the first
clay, to the National cemetery. Into this it
Xurned and swept up Northern avenue to the
beautiful rostrum.
Z First, Colonel Gibson, followed by two
Omitted States bands followed and then came
she regular troops, light artillery under Colo
mel Livingstone and the cavalry under Major
Carpenter, marching only as regulars can
march, when they know the eyes of major
generals ale upon them. A band of sixty
pieces led the Ninth militia, Colonel Stevens's
New y ork crack company and various posts
game Struggling along afterwards, many with
drum corps, whole making noise which was
perhaps only equalled by the awful artillery
nuel twenty-five years ago. Here, within
Rearing of the spot where Lincoln made his
Immortal speech at the dedication soldiers
monument November 10, 1863, the exercises of
Teunon between the blue and gray took place.
On the rostrum the front of chairs was oc-
cupied by General Sickles, General Beaver and
General Robinson IAN with crutches); General
Gordon. of Georgia, General Graham, General
Butterield and Rev. DR.. Valentine, of the
Southern Theological seminary.
, AT four minutes after five o'clock General
Robinson arose, and, i'll n few brief words, in
produced General Sickles as presiding officer,
who opened the exercises with an eloquent adj
dress.
General Sickles said
This assemblage marks an epoch You are the
Survivors of two great armies. You and your com
trades fought here the decisive battle of long and
Eevil war. Twenty-fiv years have passed, and now
6he con:batants of 63 come together again on the
tVotion to one constitution. union and one flag
fToday there are no vctors, no vanquished As
iAmericGnS we may all claim common share in the
Blories of this battlefield memorable for SO many
brilliant features of arms No stain rests on the
COLOR Of any battalion, battery or troop that con-
pended here for victory. Gallant Butlord, who be-
Fgan the fattle and brave Pickett, who closed the
struggle fty represent the intrepid hosts that for
three days rivaied each other in titles to martial
Genown. Among the hundreds of memorial struct-
Alres on this field, there is not bearing
apfan honorable and gallant foe. This meeting ism
Historical event. We dedicate here, on this battle
Geld today an altar sacred TO peace and tranquility
Snd union. We sow the seeds of friendship between
communities and states and populations once hos
stile and now reeoncied. We ali share in the rich
harvest reaped by the whole country, north and
Eouth, east and west, from the America born on
Shis battle field when the republic is consecrated
her institutions to liberty and justice. 1t is some
times said that 1t is not wise to perpetuate the
memories of civil war, and such was Roman max
tam. But our civil war was not a conspiracy against
rulers; it was not the plot of the soldier to GUST
rival from power; it not pronunciamento
The co ct of GIGS war OF institutions and
Systems and policies 1t a revolution ranking
an Importance with the French revolution OF the
ieighteenth century, and with the English reyolu-
sion of tie seventeenth universal in its bencent
lAnhuence upon the destinies of this country and
bnefaceble in the footprints it made in the paths of
our national progress. The memories of such war
Of Lincoln and Lee and Grant can never be
effaced from, our annals The valor and
fortitude and achievements of both armies
never surpassed IN any age, demand q
record in American history and now that time and
Thought common sense and common interests,
inave sottened all anlmosities OF war; we may bury
Them forever, whilst we cherish and perpetuate as
Americans the immortal heritage Of honor belong.
sng TO the republic that became impershable when
st became free. The war of 'G1-5 our heroic
age. 1t demonstrated the vitality of republican in
stitutons 1t illustrated the martial spirit and re
sources and genius of the American soldier and
sailor. IL was war in which sentiments and ideas
dominated interests The lavish sacrifice of blood
Pnd treasure, the unyielding tenacity of
aness of the people of both sides-men and
great conflict the heroic age of the republic We
NOV see that the obstinacy of on both sides
compelled settlement all clements of disunion
between the north and the south. An earlier peace
might have been merely a truce, to be followed by
recurring hostilities. We fought until the furnace
pf war melted all our discordsand moulded in one
homogeneous nation. Let us all be distinctly
thankful that God has spared to witness and to
,Ehare the blessings bestowed by Providence unOn
our country, and compensation for the countless
sacrifices made to establish, on just and firm oun-
Dalton the government of the people by the pf onIe
and for the people, For myself rejoice that am
here today to meet so many comrades and so many
foes and to unite with all ofyod pledges Of friend
ALL survivors Of the blue and the gray to affirm with
one voice unanimous resolve to maintain our
union, preserve our institutions and defend our
Tag.
When Governor Gordon appeared be-
fore the great crowd that filled the vast lawn
before the rostrum the cheers and hurrahs
were almost deafening, and throughout his
speech he was interrupted by cries of Good p
oHurrahp' and other expressions of pleasure
and approval, such as must have been fatter-
: ng in the extreme to Georgia's chief execu-
Five. He said
q Mr. Pre.ilent and Fellowsoldiers I greet Won
today with far less trepidatlon and infinitely more
pleasure than in the early days of July, 1853 when
last met you at Gettysburg. came then, as now,
TO 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 contrast between the scenes which then
were witnessed and those which greet us here to-
night to speak of men with whom then marched
and OF those whom we met; of those who have sur
Viyed to meet twenty-five years later and of those
who here fought and fell of the contrast made by
with long lines of dusty uniforms which then stood
an battle array beneath brstling bayonets and
spread cnsigns, moving in awful silence and with
sullen tread to grapple each other in deadly con-
dict, l would speak Of all these and of the motives
Which ,iInPelled each Of the swayi4g tides ofthe
OF us greponderating influence in turning the
scales of war.
The nature of the pleasing duty assigned me for
bids this. There is: however, one suggestion which
denomnotes my thought at this hour to present,
which ask brief indulgence OF all martial yir-
tues the which is PERHAPS more characteristic of
She truly brave is the virtue OF magnanimity.
My airest eardom would give
To bid clan Alpines chieftain live"
~%as the noblest sentiment attributed 10 Scot
lands nagnauimous monarch he stood gaz-
ing ili,O the face fins slain antagonist. That sen
timent, inmOrtalized by scott in his musical and
martial verse, viii associate for all time the name
of ScOauds king with those of the great spirits OF
the past. How grand the exhibitions of the same
generous impulses that characterize victors upon
This memorable field. My fclow-countrymeno of the
north il may be permitted to speak for those whom
I represent let me you that in the profound
est depths of their nature they recprocate that gen
crosby with all the manlinessand sincerity of which
brave men are capable. In token ofthat sincerity
they join in cOnsecrating or the annual patriotic
pilgrimage those historic lie ghs which drank such
CopiOus dr6ughts of American blood poured so
freely in the discharge OF duty each conceived it
MEGA for the north, which SO grQndly defended Il;
q Mecca for the south which so bravely and persist
entity sormed it. We join you in setting apart this
spot as an enduring monument of peace, brother
hood and perpetual union.
Irepcat the thought with additional emphasis,
with singleness Of heart ana of purpose, i'll the
name of the common country and Of universal hui
man liberty, and by the blood of our fallen broth
ers, unite in the solemn conservation Of these
battle hallowed hills q holy eternal pledge of
fidelity to the life, freedom and unity Of this &c.
public.
am h0no1e1 tonight in being selected to intro
duce one Of the distinguished representative Of