Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-04
WILSON SPEAKS
To THRONES At
GETTYSBURG
President, in Stirring Address,
RejOiceS in Great Reunited Ma
tion-LaudS Heroes.

7
dent Wilson sounded the final not
Of the battle Of peace at tho goIaer
anniversary Of the battle OF Gcttys
burg in an address before severn
thousand Of the veterans. both blu,
and gray. in the great reunion ten
to-day.
Although practically every Presi
dent since the great war, includiua
Lincoln, has visited the battlefield
here, Wilson is the first. except Lin
coin, who came to address the Ole
veterans. and for whom the national
salute Of q guns was fired. He is
the first since Lincoln to come in an
official capacity
As the President aliEhted from the
train down in Gettysburg a battery
OF field artillery from Fort Mycr.
Va, stationed at the Pennsylvania
College on Seminary Ridge fired the
national salute Of p guns He was
met by Colonel Shoemaker, presi-
dent Of the Gettysburg celebration
commission. who escorted him in an
automobile 10 the tent two miles
away.
out on old historic, battleswept
Emmittsburg Road they went COW
ering in five minutes in a swift motor
the path taken by Lincoln, who took
half an hour in an old carriage.
Thousands Greet President.
The greatest number to see the
President doubtless were the great
mass Of visitors stopping in the city
and the thousands who came from
the countryside The entire tent had
been reserved for the veterans and
there was much vacant space.
This was due 10 the fact that many
veterans had Misunderstanding as
10 whether the President was actually
coming, rumor having spread
broadcast throughout the camp last
night that he had again Cancelled his
engagement Others felt the Presi-
dent was Indifferent and stil others
had gone home.
The President was received by AS
sistant Secretary of War Breckin-
ridge as representing the War De
partment in charge OF the camp. and
he was introduced 10 the audience by
Governor Tener, representing the
State Of Pennsylvania as host to the
veterans.
Immediately upon concluding his
address the President was escorted
from the rear OF the tent to his car
which had been switched around
through the camp, and he passed out
through Long Lane, the central thor
oughfare of the great camp.
He did not attempt to make an in
spection, but was carried through TO
the main line Of the road and started
az once for Cornish, N. H.
Nearly 10000 veterans left this
morning and an equal number win
get away this afternoon, II the trains
can handle them.
About 5000 had left previously up
10 this morning. The greater part
Of the army Of the veterans win
leave tomorrow, although the War
Department is prepared to keep them
Saturday night and feed them Sun
day morning.
The Presidents Address.
President Wilson, in addressing the
veterans said:
sI-~t.rs DO Al U,clI,ur fr{tizapgs pend
not tell you what the battle of Get
tysburg meant. These gallant men IL.
blue and gray sit all about US here.
Many of them met here upon this
ground IN grim and deadly struggle.
Upon these famous fields and hil.-
sides their comrades died about them,
In their presence It were an imper-
thence to discourse on how the battle
went, how II ended. what 1t signihcd.
But so years have gone by since then,
and ! crave the privilege Of speaking
to YOU for a few minutes OF what
those 80 years have meant.
What have they meant" They have
meant peace and union and ViROr and
the maturity and might Of a great
nation How wholesome and healing
the past has been. We have found
one another again as brothers and
comrades IN arms enemies no longer
generous friends rather. our battle
song past. the quarrel forgotten-eN-
cept that we shall not forget the
splendid valor. the manly devotion of
the men then arrayed against one
another, now grasping hands and
smiling into each others eyes How
complete union has become and how
dear to all OF US and how unques-
toned, how majestic as State after
State has been added to this, our
great family Of free men
Heirs to Mighty Heritage"
How handsome the vigor. the ma
turity, the might OF the great nation
we love with undivided hearts. how
full Of large and confident praise that
life viii be wrought out that will
crown strength with greater justice
and with a happy welfare that win
touch all alike with deep contentment
We are debtors 90 those 80 crowded
years, they have made us heirs TO a
mighty heritage
But do we deem the nation com
plete and finished These venerable
men, Crowding here 10 this famous
field, have set US a great example Of
devotion and other sacrifices. They
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