The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-20
VICE PRESIDENT STEVENSON.

vico President Stevenson, In taking the
chair, said.
II am honored by being called TO preside
over the ceremonies of this day. by
solemn decree of the representatives of the
American people this magnificent park,
with It's wondrous associations and mem
cries, IL now to be dedicated for all time
to national and patriotic purposes.
This IL che fitting hour for the august
ceremonies we now inaugurate. Today,
by act of the congress of the United States,
the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Ma
tonal Military park Is forever set apart
from all common uses, solemnly dedica-
ted for all the ages to all the American
people. The day Is auspicious. 1t notes
the anniversary Of one of the greatest OF
battles known TO history. Here, in the
dread tribunal OF last resort, valor con-
tended against valor. Here brave men
struggled and died for the right. AS God
gave them TO see tho right
One Grand Chorus.
America" was then sung by the an
dience, accompanied by the band. and
every one of the many thousand OF
people assembled, Blue and Gray, sang ID
rs If inspired The great volume of song
rolled up as a great tidal wave, and long
before the song was ended tears were
coursing down the cheeks Of thousands of
the old veterans. Ii made the cold chills
run up and down the backs of even the
most hardened OF the battle Scared vet
Grams, and those who shed tears wcre
proud of IL. Not one OF them was
ashamed, nor was there any one who
would shame them.
General John M Palmer, the venerable
senator of Illinois, who 32 years ago risked
his life on the battlefield, made the first
dedicatory address When he came for.
ward his voice was husky, and had a trem.
ulous sound, and never in his life unless.
perhaps, when he was directing his men
at Chattanooga, 30 years ago, did he speak
more earnestly.
General Palmer told tho story 81 the
battle Of Chickamauga, saying that but
few OF the names OF the fallen were known.
but the courage and gallantry Of AL could
be remembered
General Gordon's Address.
Another patriotic tune followed General
Palmer, and then tho battle Scared vet
eran OF the Confederacy, whom Lee called
his fright Arm" John B. Gordon OF
Georgia, was introduced. He was greeted
with no less applause than was accorded
General Palmer, and he spoke with fully
as much feeling and patriotism
"It was Lamartine, believe" said Gen.
eral Gordon, "who said Of the French rev.
olution, that IL was an about-face OF the
universe Our American civil war wns
not an 'about-faco' nor change Of front by
the friends of freedom. Ii was an advance
In tho cause of liberty; because among
the whole American people Il augmented
aud ennobled the manhood and woman
hood essential 90 the future life OF the re-
public. 10 was forward movement; be.
cause " developed the spirit OF self-sacri.
foe and OF consecration, as these virtues
had never before been developed since tho
days Of Washington.
1T was an onward march; because.
while la no sense lessering the self re.
spsct Of either, IL vastly enhanced tho re-.
spect OF each for the opposite section; and
~ taught the world that liberty and law
can live In this country even throaeh In.
tcrnccine war. and that this republic.
though rent In twain today. IL reunited
tomorrow In stronger and more enduring
bonds"
General Gordon predicted that the unity
Of the American people would endure.