The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-06-01
ECHOES FROM ANTIETAM.

AS we write this, the cere mony OF
unwilling Maryland's monument,
erected to the memory of the Federal
and Confederate soldiers, who fell on
the battlefield of Antietam, is in
progress. The President of the United
States, the Governor of Maryland and
other distinguished citizens are there
taking part, and their addresses will,
no doubt, be read with interest by
people in every section of the land.
Patriotism in peace has been well
eXemplified in the erection of this
just memorial to the heroic dead, who
peacefully rest in that well ordered
cemetery. 1t is to be regretted, that
some who have passed away, and
whose fervent hope, in their lifetime,
was directed to just such an occasion,
could not have lived to see its realiza-
ton.
Standing upon the same spot, nearly
thirty-three years ago, President
Andrew johnson said: when we
look upon yon battlefield, and think
Of the brave men on both sides who
fell in the fierce struggle of battle, and
who sleep silent in their graves; yes,
who sleep in silence and peace after
the earnest conflict has ceased, would
to God, we of the living, could Unite tie
their example as they lie sleeping In
peace in their tombs. and live together
in friendship and peace"
Governor Thomas Swami, upon the
same occasion said: "May I not, in
this solemn hour, invoke the inter
position of Almighty God for speedy
restoration of harmony and brotherly
love throughout this broad land, and
that north, south, east and west, lay
ing aside the animosities of the past,
we may stand together hereafter, and
in all future time, as one people, hav-
ing a common origin and bound to-
gether by common Destiny"
The occasion which called forth
these patriotic remarks was the dedi-
cation of Autietam as a National GENE
terry the 18th day OF September 1867.
Ex-Governor Augustus w. Brad
ford delivered the dedicatory address,
and he personally selected the site for
the cemetery, some three years before,
whilst governor of the State. AS he
was one of Harford's sons, whose af-
fectionate regard for his native coun-
ty and her people was proverbial
among those who knew him well, it
may be of interest to a number of our
readers to quote some words which
fell from his lips upon that day. Nor
would they be inappropriate to the
unsettled conditions now confronting
the country. The day being also the
anniversary of the adoption Of the
Constitution, he said: "God forbid
that the time should ever come, or
party lines be ever so drawn, that a
plea for the Constitution shall be
reckoned as badge of party fealty.
The only party in whose behalf |
would this day raise voice, is the
party OF moderation and Cancellation;
the only party against which I would
this day warn you, is made up of those
ultras of all sides whose agitations
have contributed SO largely to
the disasters of the past, and
which, if not arrested, may be
the forerunner of others equally de-
plorable in the future. Against such
agitations would L, therefore, invoke,
and take this as an appropriate oc-
casion for doing so, the moderate, re-
flecting, and patriotic people of this
country; it was by this class that the
Constitution was created, and it will
be by this class that it must be saYed
If it still contains defects; if it is grow
ing obsolete, or keeps not up with the
progressive ideas Of the age, amend it