The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-30
GETTYSBURG.

GETTYSBURG
At Gettysburg tomorrow and for the rest of
the week VIII be pictured moving scenes, the
like of which no continent has ever seen and
the like OF which no will ever see again
Fifty thousand veterans of q gigantic struggle
will meet again on the fields where they gained
the plaudits of the world and where thousands
Of their comrades earnered laurel wreaths to
be placed upon their brows after death--fame
and laurel2 wreaths gained in battling against
each other Veterans of the army of Union
defense and veterans OF the army OF States
rights meet to.clasp hands on ground where they
FIRST met at the bayonets point, where they
greeted each other with shrapnel and canister
and solid. shot, where one army met the other
In deaths graphic and where they killed and
wounded each other
! There was never battle full OF stirring In
cidents struggle so bitter; never a dis
play of heroism more grand, never result more
decisive and there was never a reunion such as
that which will be held at the same place, fifty
years after. and there never will be-
July 1861, Mention of that month and that
year recalls Gettysburg Many things happened
then-many things of historical Importance For
one vicksburg fell-a disaster to the Confederacy
Of great significance, but who remembers 1t when
that date 10 mentioned? Who remembers any
thing but CUPS Hill and Seminary Ridge and
Little Round Top and Lee and Longstreet and
Meade and Pickett's charge? Veterans in blue
remember IL with pride and happiness. Veterans
in gray remember it with pride and sorrow On
Z
. nation was lost
Above the bayonets mixed and crossed,
Men a gray, gigantic ghost,
Receding through the battle cloud
And heard across the tempest loud
The death cry OF nation lost.
The cheers OF the defenders OF Little Round
Top proved to be the cheers OF the successful
defenders OF nation. The groans OF the dying
left on the field by Picketts virgnians proved the
mfserere of dying Confederacy. The young
nation reached It's zenith when Garnett died
with his hand on a captured .eaisson and then
sank to its setting, The older nation began
that day the march toward Its zenith---a goal
which it will reach and hold. 1t is so writ
In the book OF fate: ordered by divine Provi-
dence. every citizen OF the great Western repub-
lie believes as he believes In his God and as he
Or his fathers believed in the righteousness Of
his cause fifty years ago, whether he wore the
blue or whether he wore the gray; whether he
assaulted or whether he defended the line Of
ridges, which meant all to assaulting and de.
/ 9ending parties.
II will never be forgot-that week in July
flfty years ago. 1t will ever be remembered.
hut that 1t is not remembered yaingloriously by
4 the victors with hate for their conquerors
n ~ those who lost is attested by the outpouring
n of veterans OF that great struggle to meet in
q fraternity where they once met in enmity; TO
re4st each other with clasped hands and words
#1f friendship. where they once received each
inner with shot and bayonet.
SIt meant much-that meeting OF oppos-
- forces fifty years ago, but the reunion
The survivors OF the battle of Gettysburg
borrow means more. The first meant that
le Ennntry was to be united under govern
ok: the second means that the people OF this
1a1<y are united in one brotherhood. Force Of
~ settled one; the love of common flag has
I1ht about the other.
Gla great reunion means that brothers have
together. It that while the Stars
mrs are enshrtned forever In the hearts OF
xncrs. the whole nation owes and gives
nos 10 Old Glory. 1t means that animosi-
~ forgot; that the opponents OF fifty
B1Go are the friends OF today; that mempry
lom does not mean remembrance of
sM means that big men can differ on
nkAl issues and agree in honoring the