Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-22
THR SUMTER CELEBRATION.
ADDRESS OF THE REV. Z. ". BEEgHER
The PAST, TIE PRESENT, THE FUTURE.
Peace for thc War fer tERe
Turbulent

We pub Is, ed in yesterdays Wig a condensed
account Of the ceremony sf hosting the old flag
over the ruins Of Fort Sumter. We now present
% our readers the following passages from the elo
quent address delivered on the occasion by the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
hail u the flag of our fathers, and our flag -
Glory TO IN, banner that has gone through tour
years black with tempests Of war, 10 pilot the ma.
lion back 20 peace without dismemhermentl And
glory be 10 God who, ABOVE all hosts and bappers,
hath ordained victory, and shall ordain peace p
IApplauss.I
Wherefore have we come hitler, pilgrims from
distant places Are we come 10 exu!t that North
eIn hands are stronger than Southern Mo- but
20 rejoice that the hands Of those who defend a
(lst and benefcent Government are mightier than
The lands that assaulted il. lApplsuse.l Do we
exult over fallen cities We exult that nation
has not fallen. lApplause.l We sorreWWith the
sOfrOwfnl. We sympathiGe with the desolate.-
We look upon this shattered fort, and yOnder
diapidated city, with sad eyes, grieyed that men
should have committed such treason, and glad that
God hath set such mark upon treason that all
ages shall dread and abhor it. [Applausel
We exult, not for passion grathed, but for
,strtiment victorious not for temper, but for con-
science not we deyoutly believe thaS our will
IS done, but that Gods will hath been DONE We
should be unworthy Of that liberty entrusted to
our care OF such day rs tins, we sulled our
lyunvorthy if we did not devoutly thank Him who
Hath said Vengeance is mine, oiH rep0y saith the
Lord" that he hath set a mark upon arrogant re-
q el ion, ineffaceabe While time lasts.
Since this nag went Gown on that dark day, who
sLaA eel the mighty woes that have made this land
. . spectacle 10 angels and men The soil has
/ drank blood, and is gut;ed Millions mourn for
millions slain, Or, enyying the dead, pray for ob-
iyiou Towns and villages have been razed.-
f-at.ui fields have turned back to Wilderness
ua hts Stll I,. .HTl
.1ls turned % ddTkn6s&, md the moon to blood -
The course OF Law was ended. The sword sat
.hie: magistrate in half the nation; industry was
p-ralyaeG; morals corrupted; the public veal in
yldcd Oy piuc aud anarchy whole States raw
aged by ayCuging armies. The world was amazed.
The earth IGoled. When the flag sunk here, i
was az Il political night had come, and all beasts OF
Nrey had come ,Orthto deyour.
That long night is ended And for this return
,np day We have come from aar to rejoice and give
tbSnks. No more war No more accursed Sc
cession No more slavery, that spawned them
10th. [Great applause.l
Let 10 man misread the meaning Of this unfold
ing flag. II says, CONVENIENT hath returned
hither." IL prOclaims, in the name of vndicated
Government, peace and protection to loyalty, hui
initiation and pains to traitors. This is the flag OF
sovereignty. The nation, not the State, is Sove-
reign. Restored to authority, this nag commands,
not duplicates.
81 There may be pG,don, but no concession. fGreat
applauseJ There may be amnesty AMI oblivion,
hut no honeyed compromises: [Applause.l The
nation to-day has peace for the peaceful and war
for the turbuient. lAppause.l The only condi-
tion Of submission IS, 10 submit! Laughter and
snn,au>eI There is the Constitution, there the
laws. there is the Government. They rise up like
mountains Of strength that shall not be moved
Tbey are the conditions Of peace.
0ne nation 1Rder one Government, Without SLAVERY,
hes neen ordained and shall stand. There can be
nssce ON no other baSls. On this basis recOusruc-
ION IL easy, and needs neither architect or en-
cineer. Without this basis no engineer or archi-
tsct shat ever recols.r1c; these rebelous States.
We do not want your cities nor your heldS' we
d, not envy yol your prolific soil, nor heavens
1ru of osrDetuGI summer. Let agriculture reve
here. let manufactures make every stream twice
musical. build fleets in every port inspire the arts
of peaes Nth genius second only 10 that OF Athens;
apd we shall be glad in your gl4dneSs, and rich in
Al LA We a3s is answering loyalty and uni
versal liberty jApplagse.l And that, IN the name
of this hi7t s0Csrei9o'y OF The URHed SidteS or
ir,,eies, We demand; ard that, with the blessings
Of Almighty God, zee T.! tace' lUIeat aPplIusei
We raise opr Fathers banner That il may BRING
hack better blessings than those of old; that 1t may
east out The devil Of discoTd; that 1t may restore
aYfuI Governments and prosperity purer ana
more enduring than that which It protector oeiPre'
thai Il may win parted friends iron their arena
ton; that it may inspire hope, and nsugnrate UNI
vs-sal liberty; that i. may say TO the sword, "hs-
t- n tbv sieath, and to the pillow and sickle, go
yor that It may heal all jeaouses, mite all poll
tics, Inspire ReT national NE, compacs our
a. orobtions and make this people great and strong
moi for aggression aad quarrelsomenes but for the
Ssee t2s .rora, giving TO us the glorious pre-
fosaliys OF leading all nations 70 ulster laws 70
more humane policies 20 sinccrer friendship 10 "a
tionst instituted civil liberty, aud to universal
Rs7ersntly, piousiS in hopeful patriots 2. We