The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-01
By LINDLEY H. GARRISON
tsecretary of war)

Gettysburg, Pa, July 1.--Veterans Of the Civil War, Union and Confeder- ate, gathered together here today to Commemorate the mighty battle fought on Gettysburg field 50 years ago. were welcomed by Ldnd1ey M. Garrison. Sec retary of War. Mr. Garrison said:
 seIn the name Of the Nation. bid you welcome. In the name of the whole people of united country, I bid you twice welcome. In the name of its people who recognize the high import of this fraternal gathering, you are thrice welcome.
 Once again in GettysbuIg the center of the worlds attention Once again does this field trennsole under the tread of a mighty host-not now in fear, however, but in joy. The field of en- nnity has become the field Of amtty. You have trodden under your feet the bitter weeds of hate and anger; and in their places have sprung up the pure flowers of friendship and love
 ''Gettysburg seems destined to be the stage upon which shall be unfold ed the scenes of a great historic drama. Within the short span of 50 years, it's gentle slopes and placid plains have witnessed three scenes of great historic import, running the whole gaInut of man's threefold nature. Each scene been unique and typical of it's kind: first the battle, with it's almost unex- dInpl6d Q1Sp4ay or the PAyGlCdl powers of man; then the great battle and mind of Abraham Lincoln, bodied forth in his wonderful address delivered here; and last, this assemb1age, the deep spiritual significance of which can scarcely be exaggerated So we have body, mind and spirit, each displaying its distinctive characteristics to their fullest extent upon this small stage of the worlds great theatre.
 Fifty years ago today, there began here one of those conflicts between man and man. marked sby such exhibi- tions of valor. courage and almost SUI perhuman endurance as to engrave it. self upon the tablet of history, there to remain ever memorable Equal met equal, and in the domain of physical prowess all were worthy of medals of honor. The superiority was that of re- sources, not of individual strength or courage So long as men love va1or tysburg,a and Of those who fought theres will be ever on their lips. Four months afterwards, the field of Gettysburg in spired in the great mind and heart of Abraham Lincoln the most wonderful prose poem eyer written. It's music literally rang round the world and sang in the hearts of men, and will continue to sing in the blood of the sons of men until Time itself shall be no more.
 AnQ 1aSC, DuL Dy no 1n0dd1S 4S7SLs IA41S gathering here upon the field of Get tysburg today. Thousands and tens of thousands of former foes are here gathered together in brother1y union You who first met upon this field to vie with each other in doing hurt the one to the other, now meet here to out vie each other in deeds Of kindness and friendship and love. History holds no parallel. This meeting is the final demonstration that the last ernbers of the former time have been stamped out; and the great conf1agration, which it was feared would consume our country, merely served to weld the different parts Of 1t so firmly togeth- CT and into such a perfect whole that no power can ever break it. The Civ il War was a battle for ideals; and if our beloved country could withstand a war waged for ideals, one waged for any lower. baser purpose can never overthrow 1t.
 Time has enabled us to attain a, truer perspective than was possible while nearness to the conflict obscured the fact. Looking back with an un- biased eye, we can see the truth; we can see that in the very nature of things some such conflict was neces- sary to settle great questions for which there was no peaceful tribunal; we can see that the War of '61 was fought by u1en upon each side fox the