The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-20
POINTS FROM THE SPEECHES
REMARKS OF STEVENSON, PALMER.
GORDON AND LONGsTREET.
Reunion of the Army of the Tennes-
see, at Which Howard, Wheeler,
Warner and Others Spoke.


CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Sept. 1s.-To-
night the government of the United States
is in full possession of the Chickamauga
and Chattanooga field. The Nation has an
other public park which. while 1t may not
be as grand from a scenic point of view
as that Of the Yellowstone, yet 1t will be
far dearer to the hearts of the people. The
park dedicated to the Nation to-day was
consecrated with the blood of $1,000 heroes
in 1863 1t was consecrated by battle
which for desperate fighting and carnage
has few If any equals in the WORLDS his
tory. But the unique feature of this dedi-
cation to-day is the fact that men who
struggled and fought against each other
at Chickamauga this day thirty-two years
ago met here again to-day as brothers.
and each did his share towards making the
dedication a success. They sealed a COM
pact by which the last vestige of venom
caused by the civil war was blotted out
Within the limits of this grand historic
place of pleasure for the Nation to-day
were upwards of 1900 people, Among the
throng were some of the Nations heroes
and there were also some of her highest
officials. OF President Cleveland's Cabinet
there were Attorney-general Harman, Sec
the Interior Smith and Postraster-generai
Wilson. There were a bakers dozen of
Governors. and hundreds Of men of re-
nown who took Fart in the conflict be-
tween the North aud South. The cere-
monies took place on Snodgrass hill whose
sides for mile were so thickly covered
with dead thirty-two years ago. The sur
vivors say one cpr.d walk over it from
crest to base, STEPPING from one PROSTATE
body to another. Hours before the exer-
cises began the battlefield was alive with
'sthe@ssosvsb ssat cane 70 attend the dedica-
tion.
The first event o., the day was display
of arms by Battery p. Fourth United
States Artillery. Then there was a bat
talon drill. showing the new tactics and
field movements, under command of Colonel
Holland. These exercises at arms were of
great interest to the veterans, to the ''reb-
els and "Yanks," tB,Ggh the old fellows
expressed the belief that such tactics would
have fallen as timothy before a mower if
placed against those adopted during the
battle OF Chckamauga.
Vice President A. K. Stevenson presided
over the dedicatory exercises. He was in
troduced by Gen. John s. Fullerton, chair
man of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga
National Park. When the Vice President
came forward he was greeted with loud
applause. The meeting was called to order
at II O'clock, and at that hour Snodgrass
hill was covered with people. A national
salute of forty-four guns by the artillery
was fired. followed by the "Star-spangled
Banner played by one of the United
States infantry bands. Ii was cheered 10
the echo by veterans of the blue and of
the gray, and in their enthusiasm many of
the grizzed old veterans shed tears of joy.
Mr.. Stevenson's Address.
When the applause had ceased Vice Pres
ident Stevenson made brief address, ap-
propriate to the occasion. He said:
II am honored by being called to pre-
side over the ceremonies of this day. BY
solemn decree Of the representatives of
the American people, this magnificent park
with its wondrous associations and memo
ries, is now TO be dedicated for all time TO
national and patriotic purposes. This is
the fitting hour for the august ceremonies
we now inaugurate. To-day. by act of the
Congress of the. United States, the Chick
tary Park is forever set apart from all
common uses-solemnly dedicated for all
the ages-to all the American people. The
day is suspicious. 1t notes the anniver-
sary OF one Of the greatest battles known
to history. Here, in the broad tribunal of
last resort. valor eontended against yalor.
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 vanquished alike-again meet
upon this memorable field. Alas the splen-
did armies which rendezvoused here are
now little more than procession of
shadows.
:" On Fames eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead
"Our eyes now behold the sublime spec
tacle or the honored survivors OF the great
battle coming to meet. once more. They
meet not in deadly conflict, but as brothers
under one flag-fellow-citizens of common
country-all grateful to God that in the
supreme struggle. the government OF our
ant and that TO all of the coming genera
tions of our countrymen it. will remain
States Our dedication to-day is but a
ceremony. In the words of the immortal
Lincoln, at Gettysburg. But in larger
sense. we cannot dedicate, we cannot con-
secrate, cannot hallow this ground. The
brave men, living and dead, who struggled
here have consecrated it far above our
power to add or detract.' I will detain YOU
no longer from listening to the eloquent
words, Of those who we're participants in
It's danger and its glory
When the Vice President had finished
prayer was offered by the Right Rev.
Bishop Gaylor. of Tennessee. America
tre beautiful national anthem, was then
sung by the audience. accompanied by the
band, and every OF the fifty odd thou
sand of people assembled, blue and gray
alike. sang as IL inspired The great vol
ume OF sound rolled up a great tidal
wave and long before the song was ended
tears were coursing down the cheeks of
the cold chills run up and down the backs
of even the most hardened of the battle
SCARED veterans and those who shed tears
were proud OF it.
General PaImer's Speech.
ator from Illinois. who thirty-two years
ago to-day r.sked his Efe on the battle
field. made the first dedicatory address.
When he came forward his voice was
husky and had a tremulous sound. Never
in all his life. unless. perhaps. when ne