The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-31
AT ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
Patriotic speech. Songs and Poem on
Battle Of Gettysburg.

Music last night. when an eNcellei'
nrorramme of music was rendered b!
the members of the Elm Park Churcf
Quartette.
In opening the exercises the quartettC
Sang Memorial Day ODE delightful
piece of music written for the Crane
Army by II. B. Darlington. unlteo
States army. The rendition so pleased
that an encore was demanded ana re-
eponded to. Miss Winifred Sullivan
sang MY Fathers House with much
pathos. A poem, written for the occa-
sion by Editor John Il. Barrett. OF the
Truth. entitled "The Flag of GettNs-
burg" was read by the author, who
was accorded an enthusiastic reception
Mr.. Barrett's poem reads as follows;
Poem Read by Editor Barrett.
The legions of Lee. all exultant OF manner
At Gettysburg Haunted their sinister oon-
rer;
''Here perish the Union, IN one sranu e'
deavor;
Here triumph Secession. Tor soou anu '''
ever"'
They said. as the scene, like Il tan' sp' 0>'''
before them;
They saw not the cloud Of disaster hung
DER them;
They felt that no power in the land ccH1d
defeat them;
They knew not the sinews of steel that
would meet them.
They were hopeful of heart and defiant OF
bearing,
With the dash of the chivalrous south III
their daring;
Their manhood was grand. and their cour-
age Was splendid.
But worthless the cause that their vaior
defended;
And they came, like a surge from the
depth of the ocean,
Impelled by the strength Of fatal devo-
votion.
To rivet the chains of the slave and to
sever
The bonds of the Union asunder forever.
But patriot hearts were on hand to receive
them
With the warmth of welcome that could
not deceive them;
And "Old Glory waved high DER the holy
endeavor
To cherish the Union for good and for
ever"
Then the outburst of war, like Vesuvius
roaring.
When its torrents of lava on Pompeii was
pouring,
Filled the field with its dead. and the day
with its sorrow,
Till the sun from the night seemed its
darkness to borrow.
The legions of Lee, with a ferceness ap-
palling,
Rushed on mid the carnage where thou
sands were falling;
Then stood brave Ben Crippen,' his colors
above him,
All! long may his comrades and country
men love him,
And he held up his flag and deflantly
waved it,
Then fell like a hero; he knew he had
saved it;
For his brothes In Blue held their own
midst the thunder,
Where the torrents Of lead tore battalions
asunder.
Oh! Gettysburg's field was prize worth
the winning;
And the desperate foe made stormy be-
ginning;
But ahead was the spirit that never sur
renders!
Ahead was the Flag and It's gallant de-
fenders
Ahead was the spirit of Crippen. defying
u ne Toes Oh MS COuHlfy, IHelT CdIllOIl re-
plying:
The spirit of winkleried, famous in story.
The spirit, immortal, of courage and glory!
All! Gettysburg, Gettysburg, dire was the
slaughter!
When the blood of the brave on thy slopes
how'd like water,
When horses and men fell where Fate
wildly flung them;
Wars fearful machinery broken among
them;
Whilst Death, like an avalanche. swiftly
descended,
And scattered its wrath midst the hosts
that contended,
And the whistling Of bullets, each other
Their last fearful messages bore to the
dyingl
And when the volcanic collision was ended
The banners of Lee although brayely de-
Tended,
Were down in the dust with an end to
their gloating,
For the Flag of the Union above them was
foating!
And blest be the brave who pressed on
ward to glory,
Bequeathing to us their ilustrious story;
The story of Gettysburg. bloody, but glo-
rious
Where the Union was saved and its Flag
was victorious!
But the war-guns are hushed, and those
dread days are over,
And the wild bees are humming in Get
tysburg's clover;
In the mouth of the cannon the song birds
are making
Their nests: and soft breezes sweet bios
SONS are shaking
On the graves of the brave who, regardless
of station,
Responded when Lincoln appealed to the
nation;
And for us every grave, whether splendid
or lowly.
Is the shrine of a patriot, precious and
holy
Elm the first days fight at Gettysburg,
Color-Bearer Crippen, of the One Hundred
and Forty-third Pennsylvania volunteers.
was shot Gown while shaking his fi5t de-
family at the exultant Confederate forces.
in critical juncture, and galantly de-
Tending the Flag. His comrades "rallied
on the colors" and saved them from the
enemy In the midst of a storm of rebel
lead, but brave Ben Crippen's spirit had
passed on to Its immortal home--from the
glory Of the flag to the glory of the stars.
Dr. Spencer's Address.
Rev. W. A. Spencer, d. D., of Phila-
delphia, delivered an interesting ad-
dress on the "Great Battles of the
World" In which he made an interest