St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-09-20

tears were coursing down the cheeks
of thousands of the old veterans. 1t
made the cold chills run up and down
the back OF even the most hardened
of the battle-scarred veterans, and
those who shed tears were proud of it.
Not one of them was ashamed, nor
was any one who would shame them.
GEN. PALMER SPEAKS.
Gen. John NJ. Palmer the venerable
senator from Illinois, who thirty-two
years ago today risked his life on the
battlefield, made the first dedicatory
address. When he came forward his
voice was husky and had a tremu-
lous sound. And never in all his life,
unless, perhaps, when he was direct
ing the men at Chickamauga thirty
two years ago, did he speak more
earnestly. He became grandly elo-
Quent as he advanced in his address,
and his eloquence was fully appre-
ciated, and at frequent intervals he
was applauded with vigor that show
ed the audience were in touch with
him. Gen. Palmer told the story of
the battle of Chickamauga, saying
that but few of the names of the
and gallantry of all could be remem-
bered. In conclusion he said:
The civil war was caused by the
sectional challenge to American man
mood, and that challenge was accepted
ana followed by years of bloody and
QeSolatlng Wae. In that war the Amer
lean people learned to properly esti-
foundation for harmonious national
unity. By that war the theory of the
r.gnt of the states to secede from the
Union was forever eradicated from our
ernment. By that war African slav-
cry, which was the root of the sec
tionai bitterness, and was one of the
causes or preteXts for national con-
troVsrsy, was forever overthrown, and
the flag of our country became at once
the emblem of freedom and the SYM
boil of national power. AS the result of
that war the constitution was main
talned and not SubVerted, and the
union of the American people made
perpetual.
My comrades. we who survive to
this day may we'll be grateful to that
Divine. Being who guides the destiny
OF nations, that we are permitted to
extending from the Atlantic to the
PACIFIC, and from the lakes to the gulf,
and liberty and law the all-perVading
rule of our national life. We are here
today with malice toward none and
charity for ALL we meet as citizens Of
common country, devoted to it's In
terests, and alike ready to maintain
Its honors wherever or however as
sailed. To my comrades, you who
were Confederate soldiers during all
the weary struggle of the civil war,
l beg to say l was proud of your gall
lantry and courage. / never allowed
myself to forget that you were Amer
leans, freely offering your lives in de-
Nf hot .N.,- baI3
rights and in vindication of your man
hood.
You are now satisfied that the result
OF the civil war established the unity
OF the powerful American republic.
You submitted your controversies with
your fellow citizens to the arbitrament
of the battlefield, and you accepted
the result with a sublime fortitude
worthy of all praise, and your reward
Is that peace and order are restored
and the South which you loved so
well, and for which you fought so
brayely, now blossoms with abundant
blessings"
GEN. GORDON APPEARS.
Another patriotic tune followed Gen.
Palmer's speech, and then the battle
SCARED veteran of the Confederacy.
whom Lee called his right arm,',
John B. Gordon, of Georgia, was in
troduced. He was greeted with no less
applause than accorded to Gen. Palm
er, and he spoke with fully as much
enthusiasm, feeling and patriotism.
One may judge by their sentiments
and the sentiments of the thousands
of Federal and Confederate veterans
who heard them, now that the sec
tional line between North and South
has been wiped out. Those who have
heard Gen. Gordon before said it was
the effort of his life He said, In part
1T was Lamartine, I believe, who
said OF the French revolution that it
was An about-face Of the universe.
Our American civil war was not an
about face nor change of front by
the friends of freedom. 1t was an ac-
vance In the cause of liberty; because
augmented and ennobled the manhood
and womanhood essential to the future
life of the republic. 1t was a forward
movement; because it developed the
Grafton as these virtues had never be-
fore been developed since the days of
Washington. 1t was an onward march
because while in no sense lessening
the self-respect of either. it vastly en-
hanced the respect of each for the OPP
posite section; and it taught the world
that liberty and law can live in this
country even though internecine war,
ana that this republic, though rent in
stronger and more enduring bonds.
NO wonder that Christendom was
amazed that at the end of the struggle
the soldiers of both armies and the
people OF both sections were found
standing faithfully for the DEGREES of
the battle and all for the cherished
constitution of the fathers. No won
der that the civilized world regards
our civil war, as history will yet pro-
claim 1t, the most remarkable con-
ftfct in human annals. Verify, my
countrymen, 1t was q remarkable war
in all It's aspects; remarkable for the
similarity and elevation of sentiment
which inspired and the impulse which
guided 1t; remarkable for the char
acter of the combatantS which 1t en-
listed and the death roll which 1t re-
corded; but more remarkable for the
patriotic fervor which 1t evoked and
intensified among all people and all
each side fought beneath the Aegis of
6 written constitution with like limi-
tations. powers and guarantees, and
that the rallying cry which rang
gray was Liberty as bequeathed by
the fathers but far more remarka Bile
most remarkable of all-for the leg
acy of broader fraternity and more
complete which it left to America.
"And now, by the authority Of the
American congress, and the executive
department of the government; in the
presence of these survivors of the
great struggle; in the midst of this his
toric woodland, whose leaves are red
dened with heroic blood, and whose
giant oaks still bear upon their shiv-
cred trunks the visible track Of shot
and shell; by these flowing fountains,
whose crystal waters symbolic the
purity of purpose which convenes US
in the presence of all these witnesses,
and in the name of this great republic
and it's people, we set apart, as an
American Mecca, and consecrate for
all time, this immortal battle-ground,
made forever glorious by American
valor."
"AULD LANG SYNE."
When the enthusiastic applause fol-
lowing Gen. Gordon's speech had ended
the vast audience sang "Auld Lang
Syne." A few short speeches were
made by distinguished visitors, after
which the exercises were adjourned.
The monument to commemorate the
valor Of the Tenth regiment Of Michi-
gan volunteer infantry was visited to-