Weekly Trinity journal., 1865-10-28
Speech sf Major General Hancock at the
Odd Fellows Banquet In Baltimore.

Mr.. CHAIRMAN, GENTLEMEN OF BALTIMORE, AND
THE GUESTS We HAVE MET HERE TO Honor Il
would that some worthier tongue had been Sc
lected to respond to the toast just given. This
being national occasion, it would have been
appropriate to have selected the Lieutenant Gen.
eral for this service. His remarks might have
been more condensed. but he would have done
justice TO the theme. If General Grants mod
esty prevents him from indulging in oratory, he
is none the less forcible. He is retcent in war;
yet that is one Of the qualities which aided in
his grand success why may it not do so in time
of peace? 1t may vet be (if it is not now
that Grant, who is first in war, though silent in
peace shall be the first in the hearts of his coun-
trymen. The army aud the navy, with the peo-
pie who furnished the sinews of war. have fought
and won gigantic fight and with an enemy
whose prowess made them worthy of our steel.
1t has been but few months since the Govern
ment had more than million of men under
arms, in the army alone. Now there is not one
fifth of that army in service, and they will soon
be discharged. It was feared by many, judging
from the experience OF other nations after great
wars, that the volunteers, when discharged
would not readily return to their civil pursuits,
but would want new excitements-new wars.
But such has not been the case. They have gone
to their homes rejoicing, and those who remain
in service are burning to follow their example.
Their conduct in this respect has been worthy OF
their valor and intelligence. | am rs ready as
they to see the sword turned into the plowshare
during our day and generation. It may be urged
that have grievances to redress. I believe
these grievances be settled by time alone.
The power of the Government, shown in the
late contest, is a star in escutchcon whose
rays extend sufficiently far to give light even to
London ANA to Paris. The Grande is but Il short
distance in comparison, and | firmly believe,
from my own knowledge of the country and ex-
pericnce therein, that the Emperor of the French
will he glad to vacate Mexico, if he is allowed to
do so with honor. We paid some millions to get
out Of that country, after capturing its Capital,
and it is thought that it will not France less
than it cost us, and every day 5 delay viii add
to the expense without chance of compensation;
for consider it as certain as fate that the con-
tinued occupation of that country by foreign
force, which entered it in hostility to our inter-
ests and prejudices, will certainly lead to war.
1t is now, however, time for US to cultivate the
arts of peace and bind up the wounds made by
the late rebellion. We may defer the day OF re-
tribution until we are strong again without rest
ing under the imputation of fear. The Emperor
of the French went to Mexico when it con-
venient for him We can defer meeting him
there until it is convenient for rs. But it may
not be necessary, and in such case we shall have
done enough in day for the honor of the
countrys arms. If the applause of the country
is so freely accorded to the army and navy for
their prowess in war, that applause should he
given, now that there is peace, for the readiness
shown by all OF both services in laying down
their power cemented in war, now that the re-
Storation of peace makes its exercise no longer
necessary. Therein they have shown high and
noble qualities, which have been commended in
all ages. showing the existence of virtue in the
people rendering them worthy the exercise Of
free government For myself. | shall hail the
,lav with pleasure when. in the State of Mary
land there will be no longer necessity for Pro-
yost Marshals to assist in the maintenance of
order and authority. Knowing that day will
come, shall endeavor so to pave the way III my
command in loosening the reins Of military au-
thority by allowing the civil authorities to exer-
else all power which they are willing or compe-
tent to administer, that the transition from the
laws of war to those of peace shall be so gentle
that no shock may be observed when our func-
tons ended. and that the harShness of Mill
tary rule may be forgotten. Since the policy of
the Government is TO trust to the honor Of the
Southern people in the reorganization of their
Governments rather than to guard their actions
by military rule until later dav it is the more
necessary that charity should reign in every
heart and it affords me pleasure to he here at
this feast tonight, assist in doing honor to an
Order which has not forgotten that in war there
should be fellowship in charity rs in peace. The
Odd Fellows of the United States, when all other
bonds were cat aSunder yet had thread of
charity binding the States together. In this re-
spect let the people of all sections follow their
example. Let the North forget that the South
has been burdened with slavery and let the
South reco!lcct that Mason and Dixon's line is
no longer boundary of interest or prejudice.
And let the churches whose highest duty is to
incucate charity and good will among men for
get that there is a North or South, but worship
in fellowship as they worship one God.