Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-19

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town he was greeted with a salute of
81 guns. Throughout this procession he
had troop of cavalry as an escort.
This was the first time Mr.. Coolidge
had visited this section. so rich in
colonial, revolutionary and Civil War
history. He was informed when he
reached the battlefields that the gen.
eral aspect of the country today is
about the same as it was during those
stirring days of the war. The lapse of so
many years has brought few changes.
Across the Rappahannock River could be
seen Falmouth, the concentration point
of Burnside's army before its unsuccess-
| full attack upon Fredericksburg. To the
north and west as the President made
his way to Mansfield Hall his atten-
ton was directed to Charlottesville,
SpottSylvania. Salem Church and the
Wilderness. He was reminded that in
these several battles the two armies
| lost more than 100000 men. killed and
wounded. The national cemetery on
the outskirts of Fredericksburg was
called to his attention with the re-
minder that within it were the graves
of 10000 unknown dead and $500
known dead Union soldiers.
During a brief review of these several
battles in his address the President said
that it was because of their historic
interest and their valuable military les
sons that Congress enacted legislation
to make a military park Of that section
and to mark and preserve the important
points on the battle1elds.
He followed his recitation of these
battles with the reminder that the
4f lA iNN
enacting this legislation, and the joint
participation of the people. both of the
North and South, in carrying into eff
feet the law is another demonstration
in long line of events. not only that
the war is over, but that sectional feel
ing is disappearing.
Praises tVirginia's Loyalty.
In this connection he declared THE
Union which this commonwealth did so
much to establish. the Union hallowed
by the name of Washington, the Union
which Jackson defended with fervor no
less pronounced than that of Lincoln
the Union which took a new place in
the world under Wilson, is not accorded
loyalty in any other part Of our Re-
public more devoted and sincere than
that which is constantly manifest in
the life of the people of Virginia"
Mr.. Coolidge took occasion to pay a
glowing tribute to Virginia's part in the
founding of the Republic and its sub
sequent development, saying that from
early colonial times down to the pres
ent hour men who have lived and
wrought in this section Of Virginia have
cast mighty influence over the course
of the affairs of this Nation.
They have been a race" he said,
who led in carving out this Republic
and establishing its institutions, who
| believed in local self-government and
loved liberty
He then recalled long list of the
outstanding Virginians who, he said
contributed so much toward the max
| ing Of a powerful Nation of the United
! States.
Representative Bland Presides.
| In his recital of the material growth
and development of the Nation Mr..
| Coolidge took occasion to praise the
! South for the part 1t has played, say
| ing that since 1900 is progress has been
! especially marked
Representative Bland of Virginia was
one Of the committee to receive the
President and later presided over the
| dedication exercises. Besides the Presl-
| dents address, there were short speeches
by Gov. Byrd, Senator Swanson and
Edgar j. Rich of Boston. The invoca-
ton and benediction were pronounced
by Rev. r. " Lancaster. pastor Of the
| Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church
! Incidental music was furnished by a
| section of the Marine Band
The President and his party did not
tarry long after the exercises had con-
| cluded. They will arrive back in Wash
ington tonight in time for the President
and Mrs. Coolidge to have supper at
the White House at the customary hour