Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-04-20
TIE ADDRESS OF HENRY WARD
BEEOHER.
At the Raising of the stars and Stripes
over Fort Sumter, by Major Gen.
eraI Anderson, ApIiI IA, 1865.


over Fort sumter, by Major Gen.
eraI Anderson, APIfI IA, 1865.
By the arrival of the steamer at New
York from Charleston, we have particulars
of the celebration OF the raising of the "Old
Flag" on the ruins of Sumter by its former
defender, General Anderson. The cere-
mony was witnessed within the walls OF
the Fort by about 5000 citizens, including
500 Charlestonians, and large number
of colored people. The whole affair is
represented to have been very grand and
imposing.
We give below Mr.. Beecher's Grafton {;
On this solemn and joyful day we again
lift to the breeze our fathers flag, now
again the banner of the United States,
with the forvent prayer that God would
crown it with honor, protect it from tres-
son, and send it down to our children with
all the blessings of civilization, liberty and
religion. Terrible in battle, may it be
glorious in peace. Happily no bird or
beast Of prey has been inscribed upon it.
The stsrs that redeem the night from dark
ness, and the beams of red light that beau
tify the morning, have been unfolded. As
long as the sun endures, or the stars, may it
wave over 3 nation neither enslsyed nor
enslAving. TGrest applause. Once and
but once, has treason dishonored it. In
thst insane hour, when the guiltisst and
bloodiest rebellion of time hurled their
fires upon the fort, you, sir turning to
General Anderson and a small heroic
band stood within these now crumbled
walls, and did gallant and just battle for
the honor and defense Of the nations ban
ner. TApplsuse.1 On that cope Of fire
this glorious fsg still peacefully waved to
the breeze atOVe your head, unconscious OF
harm as the stars and skies above it. Once
it was shot down; sgallAnd hand, in whose
care this day it has been, plucked it from
the ground and rear ed it again, cast down,
but not destroyed. After avain resistance,
with trembling hand and sad heart, you
withdrew it fromits height, closed its wings
and bore it far awaY, sternly to sleep amid
the tumults of rebellion and the thunders
of battle. The first act of war had begun.
The long night of four years had set in
While the giddy traitors whirled in maze
OF exhileratioD, dim horrors were already
advancing, that were ere long to fill the
land with blood. To day you sre returned
again; we devoully join with you in thanks.
giving to Almighty God that he has spared
your honored life, and vouchssfed you the
honors Of this d y. The heavens over you
! are the same; these are the same shores
Morning GENES and evening as they did
All else how changed What grim bat
taries crowd the burdened shores What
scenes have filed this air and disturbed
these waters These shattered heaps O
shapeless stones are all that is left OF For
Sumter. Desolation broods in yonder sac
citv. Solemn retribution hath avenged
our dishonored banner. You have conn
back with honor who departed hence fou
wears ago, leaviog the air sultrY with ia
naticism. The surging crowds that rolleC
up their frenzied shouts as the flag cam
down are dead, or scattered, or silent
and their hsbitations are desc late. Ruin
sits in the cradle OF treason, rebellion ha
persisted, but there flies the same flag ths
was insulted. Great and prolonged sP
plause.1 With starry eyes it looks all owe
this bay for that banner that supPlsnted
and sees it not. Applause.l You tina
then for the day were humbled, are her
again to triumph once and forever. Ap
plsuse.1 In the storms of that assault thi
glorious ensign was often struck, but 1t Is
memorable fact not one of its stars VS.
torn out by shot or shell. Applause
was q prophecy. It said, not one Stat
shall be struck from this nation by treason
TApplauss The fulallment is at hand
Lifted to the air to-day it proclaims, alte
four years of war, not state is blotted Ou
TApplause Hail to the flag Of our fstt
ers and our asg; glory to the banner tbs
has gone through four years, black wit
tempests of Wal, to pilot the nation bac
to peace without dismemberment; an
glory to God, who, above all hosts and bar
ners, hath ordained victory and shall Of
dain peace. EApplsuse Wherefore hsV
we come hither pilgrims from distant pli
ces? Are we come to exult that Norther
hands are stronger than Soutnern2 Nc
but to rejoice that the hands of those VII
defend a Just and beneficial goyernme1
are mightier than the hands that 3
ssulted It. Loud Applause Do we exu
over fallen cities2 We exult that nstio
= has not fallen. Applause. We sorro
= with the sorroWful, We sympathlze Wit
r the desolate, We look upon this shsttere
= fort and youder dilapidated city with 50
yes, grieved that men should have con
mitted such treason, and glad that &c
had set such q mark upon treason, that q
ages shall dread and sshor it. Applsuse
o We exult, not for a passion grsti6ed, b.
for 8 sentiment victorious; not for tempe
but for conscience; not, as we devout
believe, that our will is done, but that God
J., will hath been done. We should be u
i, worthy of that liberty intrusted to o.
Il care, if, on such day as this, we sulli'
: our hearts by feelings Of aimless vengeanc
: and equally unworthy if we did not d
p voutly thank Him who hath said, ave
d geance is mine, 1 will repay, saith Z
If Lord" that he hath put a mark upon q
rogsnt rebellion inefsceable while tin
lasts. Since this flag went down, on III
a dsrk day, who shall tell the mighty VIC
70 that have made this land spectacle
angels and men The soil has drank bio
and Is glutted; millions mourn for millio
slain, OF, envying the dead, pray for obi
ion; towns and villages have been rsze
d fruitful fields have turned back to wilde
er ness. 1t came to pass as the prophet ss
s. the sun was turned to darkness and t
s. moon 70 blood. The course of law "
Of ended, the sword sat Chief Magistrate
4, half the nation, industry was para IL