The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-31
EXERCISES At GETTYSBURG
WHERE HON. WEBSTER DAVIS WAS
THE ORATOR OF THE DAY.
Letter of Regret from President Nc
kinley, Who Was Unable to Leave
WashingtOn-Other Exercises.

Ceremonies were held simultaneously in
several parts of the cemetery but the main
ceremonies were in the amphitheater close to
the old Lee mansion. There some 1900 or
more people gathered, while on the platform
was distinguished company, headed by
President Mckinley, Vice President Hobart,
Secretary of War Alger, Secretary of the
Treasury Gage, Secretary of Agriculture
Wilson and United States Senator Thurs
ton, OF Nebraska, the orator of the day.
Just back of them sat Commissioner of Pen
sions Evans and other officials, the Chinese
minister and the Corean minister and parties
from their legations. Prior to the services
there was procession of members, of the
Grand Army, the Sons of Veterans, the
Woman's Relief Corps, ex-soldiers and
sailors and the general public, headed by
the Fourth Artillery Band
Hating for minute for brief services at
the tomb of the unknown the band play
ing a dirge, the procession then marched
through the grounds and proceeded to the
work of decorating the graves.
The President and party were prompt in
arriving, and soon after they reached the
platform the assembly was called to order
by Commander Arthur Hendricks, of the
Department of the Potomac G. A. r. The
exercises embraced a number of addresses,
poems, singing by a quartet and the GUS
tomary reading of orders The feature of
the ceremonies, however, the address
of Senator Thurston, of Nebraska, who was
introduced as one always ready to lend his
aid to the cause of labor and patriotism.
His Grafton was listened to most attentive
ly by the audience, and prolonged applause
greeted his references to the absence of
sectionalism and to the presence of Admiral
Dewey in the harbor of Manila. Senator
Thurston said in part:
my countrymen, these men who died
may not have known, but you and l know,
that the roar of their battles was but the
echo of Gods footsteps marching on. L
am a believer in an overruling Providence,
in the infinite wisdom that guides the des-
TIMES of nations as of men. l am deeply
imp1 essed with the thought that this great
western hemisphere of ours is under the
we as a people are struggling onward and
upward to the fulfllment of a supreme pur-
pose. 1t was Gods providence that kept the
new world in all Its virgin strength and
beauty until the restless races of men had
reached a civilization fit to be transplanted
here. 1t was Gods providence that gave
strength and courage and victory to the
little band of sturdy patriots who wrought
the mighty miracle or American independ-
ence II spoke in every line OF the Declarae
ton of Independence; it inspired the pen of
emancipation and the sword of Appomat-
tox, Columbus Washington, Lincoln, Grant.
Did chance select them each for his glorious
work, so gloriously performed. Let the fool
answer how he will; prefer to see the FIN
ger of supreme design. That finger maybe,
is even now moving toward announcer man !;
a man who shall lead our triumphant hosts
to q glorious victory for liberty and human
ity, who shall wreak Gods vengeance on
wicked, cruel, mercilesS Spain, and drive
from this hemisphere the last vestige of ty-
ranny and oppression. And it may well be
that some sword sheathed in defeat by the
judgment of God, that liberty might be the
heritage of every American child, will now,
by command of the Jehovah himself, leap
, from its scabbard to give liberty and self
government to the oppressed and down
trodden people of the beautiful Island of
Cuba.
, What an inspiring sight to see those who
once fought against each other now rally
ing under the one flag, exulting and rejoic-
ing that the azure field of the Union banner
holds in equal honor every star of statehood
and singing together the rearranged music
of the Union-'Yankee Doodle and Dixie
the favorte airs After third of CEN
fury of peace and prosperity all the chill
dren of our common country kneel at the
altar of reunited faith. The blue and
gray lie in eternal slumber side by side
Heroes all! They fell face to face, brother
against brother, to expiate nations sin.
The lonely firesides and the unknown
graves, the memory of the loved, the yearn-
ing for the lost; the desolated affairs and
the broken hopes are past recall The wings
of our weak protest beat in vain against the
iron bars of fate. But through the mingled
tears that fall alike upon the honored dead
of both the North and South turn hopeful
eyes to that new future of prosperity and
power, possibly only in the shelter of the
dear old flag. To the conquerors, and the
conquered: to the white man and the black;
to the master and the slave, the result was
Gods providence.
Il do not know when this war with Spain
will cease. / do not know what sacrifices
we may yet he called on to make. l do not
know how many headstones may yet be
added to this city of the dead | do not
ma
mourn. 1 do not know how many affairs
may be dcsolated. But do know that what
world from the barbarity and inhumanty
of Spains merciless despotism will be worth
it all. | do know that the cementing to-
gether of the hearts of all the people in en-
during friendship and abiding love; 1 do
know that the conservation of American
energies, the uplifting of American senti-
ment in so unsefish and holy a cause: do
know that this touching of elbows under
the flag by the men and sons of men who
faced each other on our battlefields under
two flags: 90 know that this accomplish
ment of Gods great purpose will bring to
the American people Gods choicest bless
ing and reward. And have faith to believe
great war Decentralization Lincoln
looks down approvingly upon our great war
Decentralization McKinley-while Grant
and Lee, could they but speak to us to-day,
would fire the hearts of their old lieutenants
now in command of the armies of the Unit
ed States with the inspiring cry On to
Cuba!
Rest in peace mighty dead, The cause
for which you fought can never be 'assailed
again. Rest in peace, the race whose free
dom you achieved will bless you with their
latest breath Rest in peace. the Union you
preserved remains forever and liberty
equal rights and justice is the heritage of
your descendants to the judgment day God
bless the men who followed the fiag!'
The presidential party left at the conclu-
sion of Senator Thurstons Grafton, driving
almost Immediately back to the city. Hon.
John c. CLANCY ex-assstant attorney gen.
eral of the United States, also delivered an
Grafton, in the course of which he pre-
dicted that no nation whose most glorious
boast is the feats of it's bull fighters can
long withstand the advancing columns of
our military hosts
simultaneously with the exercises in the
amphitheater a smaller assemblage gath
cred on the front porch of the mansion
where the Confederate chieftain Lee spent
much of his life to attend special naval
services at the tomb of Admiral Porter Ex-
Secretary of the Navy Hilary A Herbert
of Alabama was the speaker of the day.
and an address was delivered also by W. H.
Michael, chief clerk of the State Depart
ment Secretary Herbert said in part:
II would not pluck leaf from the chaplet
that adorns the brow of any soldier of the
civil war, federal or confederate; yet ii is
only fair to say that while history has done
no more than justice TO them, 1t has not