The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-21
IENNESSEEANS' OPINIONS
As Expressed on Chattanoega's Bat.
tis Ground,

CHATTANOOGA. Sept al.--The proceed
fngs Of the third and last day Of the dedi-
cation Of Chickamauga and Chattanooga
National park, judging from the crowd
which thropged the streets, were the most
attractive of tho series.
This was the case possibly however, for
the reason that there was nothing going
on mt the battlefield and everyone's atten-
ton was ocntercd upon the meetings In
the city tent. Another fact was that the
military demonstration by tho regulars
and state militia In camp here was an at
traction that drew to the city many resi-
dents Of the surrounding territory who
had not previously been present at the
dedicatory ceremonies
The procession formed on Market street,
the principal business thoroughfare OF the
city, and was characteristic OF the occasion.
First came platoon of police and then
the United States troops, foot and artil-
lcry, In camp at Chickamauga park. under
command OK Colonel Poland. These
numbered, all told, about 1900 men.
There were battalions from the Sixth,
Fourteenth and Twenty infantry
and battery Il, Fourth artillery; the Ohio
National Guards, including companies
from Cleveland and Columbus, the latter
on bicycles; Capital City Guards of Geor-
gia. This troop marched to the dedication
from Atlanta, arriving here Tuesday.
The procession marched through the
principal streets to Grant university, in
front of which the reviewing stand was
erected. The streets wero decorated in
great profusion, and as the troops
marched under and by them they We're ac-
companied by the almost constant cheers
Of assembled thousands. General j. S.
Fullerton, president Of the park commits
sion, was grand marshal.
The procession disbanded shortly after
passing the reviewing stand, and the bat
terry proceeded to Orchard Knob, on the
summit OF which was fired the Union
salute Of "A guns at noon At that hour
began the exercises in the tent intended
TO commemorate. in connection with the
dedication, the battle of Chattanooga
proper.
Vice President Stevenson presided. The
proceedings were opened with prayer by
Rev. Samuel ]. Nicolls, DID, of st. Louis.
Hon. George Oohs. Chattanooga's elo-
quent executive, was introduced and made
an address Of welcome to the visitors.
Tenuesssans Talk.
General William b. Bates address pre-
sented the southern view Of the causes
leading to tho war. He said: Whatever
may be the right or wrong, the south be-
lieved she was right, aud the principles In
defense Of which the south accepted battle
after peaceably seeding from the Union
were found In the constitution and taught
by our fathers.
ka., ,ntS Sh. sIut
impartial history will fuif TO recognize the
justification of the south In the records of
our country, and find that according TO
the faith that was In her people and their
Judgment, made up from that standpoint,
there was no alternative left in 1861 but
the appeal to arms; and ] affirm, with
equal confidence, that any comparison OF
the two sections from the earliest times 10
the present day will not find the south
less patriotic, or less solicitous for the
honor, glory and welfare Of the Union"
The senator followed this up by u de-
tailed history Of the battle Of Chicka-
manga ai--the events preceding and fol-
lowing Il, as viewed from his standpoint.
General Charles II. Grosvenor OF Ohio
spoke in part as follows: "Herc upon this
legislative field, where political questions
were to be settled, this conflict took place,
and more than $1,000 men fell, killed or
wounded in this bloody conflict. It was
an Offering upon the altar OF a country's
salvation, of country's publication, of n
country's rehabilitation. Of n country's
glorifcation, that was worthy of the mag
niflcent results that followed the war"
When General Grosvenor had finished,
Governors Morton of New York, Wood
bury of Vermont, Matthews OF Indiana
and Turncy OF Tennessee each made short
talks. Governor Turney caused some
thing Of n sensation. 1t came about in
this way:
Governor Woodbury. said that during
the war each side believed IL was right,
but now the southerncrs would have to
teach their children the south was wrong
Gov. Turney took exception 70 this. Il
believed was right during the four years
and 10 days served in the Confederate
army" he said, "and at the end of that time
/ thought was right. still think 1 was
right and shall teach my children So No
one is more loyal to the Stars and Stripes
than I, and no one Is more loyal TO the
government, but can never be convinced
that the south was wrong.i
This rather frank expression caused
great stir In the audience, and when the
meeting adjourned was tho topic of general
conversation on all sides.
Iu the Big Tent
Barnum's big tent was filed again last
night. There was gathering OF the
Army Of Northern Virginia and that por-
ton of the Army OF tho Potomac which
fought mt Chickamauga General f. @.
waktham of Mississippi presided. In
calling the meeting to order, he said, in
part:
"ro DO chosen TO peeside over an as
sembly like this rs proud distinction for
which / am profoundly grateful. My
selection for such duty involves the fat
tering impcliation that ! am deemed
worthy to represent the soldier of the
south aud all he stands for. After the
lapse Of 20 years, since his banners went
down for him, In his name, IL Is my pride
and pleasure TO greet bis former foeman.
whom he joins in doing honor to our re-