River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-09-26

the execution of the programme SO
long arranged and looked forward to.
Music by the band of the Fourteenth
regiment in camp on the field followed
and at subsequent intervals it also
was heard with delight.
The addresses of Senator and Gen.
ohm NJ. Palmer, of Illinois, and of
Senator and ten. John Is. Gordon, of
Georgia, were preceded by the
singing of America" by the audience
and followed by Aud Lang Syne."
Gen. j. :. Fullerton, chairman of the
national park commission, and as such
Secretary Lamont's representative
charged with the duty of directing
the dedicatory exercises, was intro
duced by Vice President Stevenson,
who presided in the absence of the
secretary of war Prayer was offered
by Rt. Rev. Bishop Gailor. OF Ten
nessee. The first address was that
of Gen. Palmer
Gen. Palmer's Address.
Gen. John NJ. Palmer, the venerable
senator from Illinois, who thirty
two years ago Thursday risked his
life on the battlefield, made the first
dedicatory address When he came
forward his voice was husky aud had a
:remulous sound. And never in all his
life, unless, perhaps when he was
directing his men at Chickamauga,
did he speak more earnestly. He be-
came grandly eloquent as he advanced
in his address, and his eloquence was
fully appreciated and at frequent in
trrvals he was applauded with a vigor
that showed the audience were in
touch with him.
Gen. Gordon's Address.
Cen. Gordon OF Georgia, opened his address
by quoting the illustrious G arles Summers
proposal in the United States senate TO strike
from the battle flags OF the union
ali mementoes Of the civil war. He
eulogized the broad and catholic spirit OF
patriotism which inspired that proposition
though he said Mr.. Sumner reasoned
classical student rather than a practical
statesman Mr.. sumner he said. was not the
only statesman who then believed that the
preservation OF war memories was The
preparation of war passions lie was not the
only one who failed To appreciate the mighty
changes which we're TO be wrought in time
or the hallowing effects OF great trials
and sorrows upon the tempers OF a peo-
pie: or the elevating, ennobling and unitying
power OF our Christian civilization and free In
situations All christendom was amazed that
the end OF the struggle found the men OF 10th
armies and the people Of both sections favor
able for the DEGREES of battle and all for the
cheris ed constitution of their fathers
Then Gen. Goraon asked: is this fraternity
10 last: is this unity to endurey II yes then
liberty shall live II no, then the
republic is doomed for in the womb
of our country's future are mighty prob
lens imbued with life and power and danger.
TO solve which will call into reQuisition all
the craftsmanship, all the manhood and 10y
atty to law OF all the sections. The patri-
otto American who loves his country and
its freedom and who fails TO discern these
coming dangers and the urgency for
united effort TO meet them is not states
man. and the statesman. il may charac-
terize him, who realizing these dangers,
and would still, for personal party
ends. ALLEVIATE the sections classes.
is but half patriot. Perish, then.
forever, perish from American minds and
hearts all distrust. all class and party and
sectional bigOtry and alienation; but live. long
live forever live. as the last hope OF
the republic. mutual trust, confidence,
brotherhood and unity between their
children, who are the heirs OF the immortal
hopors Forever live the spirits which ami
mated the American congress and government
in making possible this inspiring hour. and
hearts Of our descendants through ali genera
tiOnS"
ten. Gordon closed an imprisoned
and eloquent peroration as follows:
Every uniform worn by the brave whether
it's color was blue or gray. every sheet
Of fame from the ranks and rifles of both;