will stream from age to age in honor of the fame and memory of the dead and living they represent.

The duties of your Commission have almost ended. I dare claim for it a single purpose to perform them fairly, honestly and impartially. One of its members, Major Samuel Harper, passed away ere the work was completed. He was a true soldier, a firm patriot, earnest in his devotion to his work, which, upon this field, must ever be recognized.

To the people of this great state we now present the result of our labors in these memorial tablets. Each one tells its own truthful story, and will to future generations. It is a record as complete as it is accurate. As they stand here overlooking these scenes, telling of the silent battalions represented, with yonder green mounds, the perpetual reminder of heroic immolation, may we not hope that in all the land, everywhere, loyal devotion to country and flag shall prevail with a new-born intensity, capable of any sacrifice, and all may realize fully as was said of old, "It is the high reward of those who have risked their lives in a just and necessary war, that their names are sweet in the mouths of men, and every age shall know their actions."

ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

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GOVERNOR JAMES A. BEAVER.

OMRADES AND FELLOW-CITIZENS: No official duty which has devolved upon the present executive of Pennsylvania is more significant, and at the same time more pleasant, than the one which he now performs on behalf of our goodly Commonwealth. Granite and bronze are not necessary, nor can they, in a large sense, perpetuate the memory of the men dead and the heroism of those living, who stood for the constitution and the enforcement of the laws, upon this field. They have a significance and value, however, as showing the appreciation of a grateful Commonwealth for the service of her sons in defending her soil and in aiding to perpetuate the unity of the government of which she is a constituent part. On every portion of this historic battle-field Pennsylvania acted a prominent part. Her sons, as was meet, were the heroes of the field. Meade commanded the army, Reynolds fell in the fore-front of battle in the

first day's fight, and Hancock directed the details of preparation for the heroic and stubborn resistance which was made to the determined assaults of the enemy, upon the second and third days. Pennsylvanians were prominent in the First Corps at the opening of the battle on the first day; Pennsylvania regiments played a prominent part in Sickles' gallant forward movement; Pennsyl vanians predominated in the First Division of the Second Corps and constituted the Third Division of the Fifth Corps, which made the impetuous assault through the "wheat field" and the "devil's den" upon Hood's Division, in its determined and well-directed efforts to turn Sickles' left flank, on the second day, and Pennsylvania received the shock of Pickett's heroic, but ill-fated and foolish, charge on the third day. Pennsylvania batteries occupied vital points in our defensive line, and Pennsylvania cavalry was conspicuous under a gallant Pennsylvanian in their brilliant operations upon our right flank and rear. In every offensive movement made by the Army of the Potomac during the Gettysburg campaign; in every defensive position taken by it; in brilliant skirmish, in gallant assault, in heroic fighting or in stubborn resistance, Pennsylvania was found everywhere doing her duty and bearing her full share of the heat and burdens of the day. We do not claim that she did more than her duty or that she performed more than her share of the work to be done. Without the assistance and co-operation of her sister states she would have been utterly powerless to repel the invasion of her soil. We make no invidious distinctions in emphasizing Pennsylvania's share in the campaign which found its climax within her borders. This is Pennsylvania Day, and we simply emphasize her part in the work here done without in any way detracting from or minimizing the part taken by others or the credit due to them therefor. The description of the details of Pennsylvania's share in the glory of this field belongs to the historians of the occasion and I shall not trespass upon their theme or sphere in this direction. The Commonwealth does well in recognizing the devotion of her sons. She has been none too liberal in her gifts for such a purpose.

In accepting the results of the work of the Commission appointed to supervise the erection of the memorials of the patriotism of Pennsylvania's sons, it may be well to say a word as to the manner in which the work has been done and of its characteristic features. Charged with a delicate, a difficult and responsible duty, it is not too much to say that the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Memorial Commissioners, so far as the results of their work are apparent upon this field, have discharged their duty in a

nanner alike creditable to them and acceptable to the people of the Commonwealth. Few who have not given thought to the subject can realize the difficulties under which they labored, or appreciate the value of the work which they have done. This work was characterized, first, by a broad intelligence. The position occupied by each of the eighty-six Pennsylvania organizations participating in the battle of Gettysburg was to be carefully studied and definitely ascertained in order to determine the location of their several monuments. The part taken by each organization must be thoroughly understood in order that the truth of history, and nothing but the truth, should be displayed upon these memorials. The materials to be used; the design to be adopted; the details of construction and the perpetuity of results, were all to be considered and right conclusions in regard thereto reached. Those who have carefully and critically followed the work of the Commission will, I am sure, join with me in commending the rare intelligence which has marked its labors in all these respects.

The work of the Commission has been characterized, moreover, by unquestioned fidelity. Charged with the execution of a law, with the framing and passage of which its members had little to do; with the expenditure of a sum excecding an eighth of a million of dollars, in such a way as to secure full and satisfactory returns to each regimental organization, and to the Commonwealth which placed her funds in their hands; with the preservation of the truth of history, and, at the same time, with the vindication of the honor and reputation of Pennsylvania organizations, where history had failed to do them justice; with determining the truth as to conflicting claims for position, and antagonistic interests on the part of contractors and committees representing the various organizations who contracted with them, it will be seen that the work of the Commission required rare discretion and ability. In all these respects, and others which cannot be mentioned for want of time, the Commission has, in all its work, fully met the demands made upon it, and can confidently point to the results which confront us on every hand for the evidence of the fidelity with which these demands have been met.

The Commonwealth has in every instance had a full return for the money which was appropriated for these memorials, and in most of them has received a large percentage of increase from the voluntary contributions of the organizations themselves. So it is safe to say that no state, when the work of the Commission shall be finished, will present more substantial, more enduring and

more tasteful memorials of the devotion of her sous, than Pennsylvania.

The zeal manifested by each and every member of the Commis sion is also a characteristic of its work. Voluntarily accepting a position to which no pecuniary compensation of any kind was attached, the gentlemen who composed the Commission gave themselves unreservedly to the work before them. They have spared no effort; have stopped at no sacrifice of time or convenience; have assisted in the organization of regimental committees; have furnished designs for the adoption of such representatives, and have stimulated their efforts to secure better and more enduring results than could have been obtained through the expenditure of the appropriation made by legislative authority alone. Such energy and zeal are worthy of commendation, and should be here and now recorded and acknowledged. There has been much patient forbearance with, and sometimes a judicious yielding to, the demands of zealous and enthusiastic regimental organizations. Such demands were the evidence of a proper interest in the truth of history and in the faithful acknowledgment of the contributions which have been made by those who were thus represented and the results which history records. They were found, on careful examination, in many instances, to be correct, and official records have been thereby corrected through the careful and persistent efforts of the Commissioners..

Without dwelling upon other characteristics of the work of the Commission, which will suggest themselves to the thoughtful observer, it is safe to say, finally, that success has crowned its work in an eminent degree. The organizations for whose benefit provision was made by the legislature have not, in all instances, availed themselves of it. Some memorials have not yet been erected. Designs for others have not yet been adopted, and to this extent the work of the Commission is not finished; but so far as the memorials which surround us are the evidence of the work of the Commission, we join to-day, as the survivors of those whose memory is thereby enshrined, in pronouncing their work an unqualified success. As already intimated, the work is not finished. The distinctively Pennsylvania organization in which all Pennsylvania, whether connected with it or not, takes pride, and which played such a distinguished part upon this field -the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps--has not yet erected its memorial. It is the desire of the various regimental organizations composing that corps to erect a common memorial. In this desire I personally cordially sympathize, and will be glad to co-operate. The original provisions made for the erection of our memorials did not seem to authorize such a use of the funds

appropriated, and an unfortunate misunderstanding as to the bill passed by the last legislature in relation thereto, which gave rise to certain constitutional and other difficulties, made necessary its disapproval. I wish, however, here and now, as a Pennsylvanian, proud of the forethought which organized the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, and of the record which it made for Pennsylvania, to say that, so far as I am able to do so, officially or personally, I wish to co-operate with the survivors of that distinguished body of Pennsylvania soldiers in carrying out their wishes. The Vermont Brigade has its magnificent Corinthian column, to be surmounted finally by a statue of Stannard; New York's Excelsior Brigade has its distinctive monument; the New Jersey Brigade, distinguished alike for its brave deeds and the bravery of its great commander, perpetuates its memory and that of Kearny at the same time by a monument which combines the memorials of its several regiments; so I would say, speaking for myself, let the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps perpetuate the memory of the part which it took upon this field and elsewhere throughout our great struggle for the preservation of the Union, in a memorial building which shall be distinctive and appropriate. Consultation and cordial co-operation can bring this about without difficulty, and in harmony with the requirements of our state constitution and the work of the Commission appointed in accordance with the provisions of the act of assembly relating thereto.

It only remains for me, gentlemen of the Commission, to accept at your hands, as the representative of the Commonwealth, the work which you have here and now transferred to me. Pennsylvania is satisfied with what you have done; Pennsylvania congratulates herself upon the success of your efforts. I accept on her behalf these memorials erected under your supervision and control, and in doing so I beg to thank you in her name for the intelligence, the fidelity, the zeal and the patience which have crowned your work.

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