The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-09-26
nessee, which was sadly out of tune with
the harmony that prevailed.
DEDICATION OF THE PARK.

DEDICATION OF THE PARK.
yice-President Stevenson Presides-Grand
Concourse Snodgrass Hill-Speeches by
Gems. Palmer, Lonsstreet, Gordon, and
Others.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Sept l9.
Within the limits of this historic place of
Measure for the Nation to-day were upward Of
5000 people. Among the thrOng were some
OF the country's heroes, and some OF It's highest
officials OF President Clevelands Cabinet
there were Attorney-General Harmon, Secre-
fary OF the Navy Herbert, Secretary OF the
Interior Smith and postmaster-General wilson.
There was dozen Governors and hundreds OF
men OF renown who took part in the conflict
between the North and the South.
The ceremonies took place at Snodgrass Hill,
whose top and side for a mile or more were SO
thickly covered with dead this day 32 years
ago that, as the survivors say, one could walk
all over il from crest to base stepping from one
PROSTATE body to another.
The first event Of the day was display of
arms by Battery T, 4th q. s. Art. Then there
was n battalion regimental drill showing the
new tactics and field movements, under COM
mand OF Col POLAND.
Vice. President Adlai f. Stevenson presided
over the dedicatory exercises. lie was intro
duced by Gen John S. Fullerton, Chairman Of
The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National
Park Commission. When the Nice-President
came forward he was greeted with loud ap-
plause.
The meeting was called TO order at 10 o'clock,
and at that hour Snodgrass Hill was covered
with people. The great natural arena selected
bv the National Commission on Snodgrass Hill
was so arranged that nearly every one of the
tens of thousands of auditors could hear the
speeches and addresses throughout. BY way of
beginning there was National salute OF "a
guns by the artillery. followed by the Star
Spangled- Banner" played by one of the United
States Infantry Bands. 1t was cheered to the
echo by veterans of the blue and Of the gray,
and in their patriotic enthusiasm many of the
veterans shed tears of Joy.
When the applause had ceased
vIcE-PREsIDENT STEVENSON
said:
Il 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 its wondrous asso-
Citations and memories, is now TO be dedicated
for all time TO National and patriotic purposes.
This is the fitting hour for the august cere-
monies now inaugurate. To-day, by act
of the Congress of the United States. the
Cbickamanga and Chattanooga National Mill
fary Park is forever set apart from all common
uses, solemnly dedicated for all the ages to the
American people. The day is auspicioGs. 1t
notes the anniversary of one of the greatest
battles known in history. Here in the dread
tribunal of the last resort valor contended |
against valor Here brave men struggled and |
died for the right, as God gave them TO see the |
right
"Thirty-two years have passed, and the few |
survivors of that masterful day-victors and |
vanqushed alike-aGain meet upon this men, /
orable field. Alas, the splendid armies which |
rendezvoused here are little more than a /
procession of shadows.
"tOn Fameis eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
While glory guards with solemn round
The bivouRc OF the dead
"Our eyes now behold the sublime spec
facle of tho honored survivors of the great bat
tie coming together upon these nights once |
more They meet not in deadly conflict but |
ms brothers, under Observation-Disclosures of |
q common country all grateful to God that in |
the supreme struggle the Government of our !
fathers our common heritage, was triumphant, /
and that TO all of the coming generations of |
our countrymen ii will remain az indivisible |
Union of indestructible States
"Our dedication to-day is but ceremony. |
In the words of the immortal Lincoln at Get |
tysburg But in larger sense we cannot |
dedicate, cannot consecrate we cannot 1
hRllow this ground; the brave men, living |
and dead. who struggled here, have consecrated |
1t far above our power TO add or detract.'"
When he had finished. prayer was offered by |
Che Rt Rev. Bishop Gsior, of Tennessee.
"Americs" was then sung by the audience, /
accompanied by the band, and the thousands |
of people assembled, blue and gray, sang if
inspired
GEN. JOHN N. PALMER,
the venerable Senator from Illinois who 90 |
years ago to-day. risked his life on the battle
field. made the first dedicatory address. Never
in all bis life, unless, perhaps, when he was
directing his men at Chickamauga 80 years
ago, did he speak more earnestly. IN the course
Of his remarks Gen. Palmer said:
81 am profoundly sensible OF the honor
which the Secretary OF War conferred ly Sc
lecting me to represent the soldiers of the
United States who participated in the military
events which occurred in this theater in the
late Summer and Autumn of 1863. When
recall tile names Of the galaxy Of distinguished
men who took part in the drama which has
made Chickamauga immortal in later history, \
i feel that many Of them would have better
honored this occasion; but, alas! where are
they7
"Rosecrans, the central figure in the great
campaign for Chattanooga. is now on the genial
shores Of the Pacific, struggling with disease,
attended by loving daughter and the prayers
and good wishes of all the surrounding sur
yivors Of the posts he commanded George H.
Thomas tine earnest, distinguished patriot the
soldier, Rock Of Chickamauga,' sleeps In
quiet cemetery near one or the beautiful cities
OF New York
Death has summoned Brannan, Jefferson c.
Davis, Philip II. Sheridan, Van Cleve and
Steedman. OF the brigade commanders, Lytle
the soldierpoet' fell Sept. 90; Harker aud
McCoOk in the assault kenesaw in 1864;
and others equally distinguished have since
Euccumbed 10 disease, and comparatively few /
survive 10 this 32d anniversary Of the first day
OF the battle Of Chickamsuga. j feel honored /
too, that on this interesting occasion am asso-
cisted with that distinguished soldier aud ora
tor Gen. John y. Gordon who, though not a
participant IN the operations here, represented
the Confederate cause gallantly on many other
battlefelds, and has described tho Last Days | ,
Of the Confederacy with such force and elo-
quence that cannot hope TO equal him" ,
After this he gave the number of soldiers |
killed and wounded on both sides and said the
wag was the result Of a sectional challenge TO
American manhood, aud closed by saying:
You are now satisfied that the result OF the
civil war established the unity of the powerful 1
American Republic; submitted your contro-
versies with your fellow-citizens to the arbitra-
ment OF the battlefield, and you accepted the
result with 3 sublime fortitude worthy OF all
praise, and your reward is that peace and order
are restored, and the Sonth,' which you
loved 80 WELL and for which you fought
50 brayely, now blossoms with abundant
blessings"
GEN. JOHN u. GORDON
Of Georgia, was then introduced and made an
eloquent speech. He began by saying: THE
fllustrious Charles Sumner, Of Massachusetts,
Cd H. L.