The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-07-06

VI tuclr TreSlQenC are Cne lOOloSC Cn0
world has ever seen. Had they no
Christians? What general of all ages
was so holy, he seemed inspired?
Jackson. What did those thousands
die for? May it not have been for
liberty?
".Oh, if there be on this earthly sphere
A boon, an Offering Heaven holds dear,
-,Iis the last hbation liberty draws
From the heart that bleeds and breaks in
her cause"
This country once boasted of the
freedom of her citizens; but history
repeats itself with slight changes.
Ten years ago, who could have pre-
dicted, in free America, that the
tinkling Of bell could consign citi-
zens to bastiles and expatriate them,
and military commissions could issuo
death-warrants like Star Chamber.
with mock semblance of O trial:
Who could have foretold that free
America would reproduce Raunitz
and Danton, and Washington and
Fortress Monroe would rival the dark
days Of Vienna and Paris, and mil
lions would approve? Who would
have thought that in the nineteenth
century, the refined people of great
city would worship f'beast," as the
Israehtes of old bowed down before
the golden calf?
Think you these lessons are lost on
the mighty North? There are multi
tudes OF good and true men there
who are struggling to pour oil on the
troubled waters. Even amongst
those who are manifesting the most
rancor, there are good men who will
retrace their steps. Think you there
are no philosophers there? Are there
no statesmen read in history? Have
they not melitated on the luminous
pages Of Gibbon, and the graphic de-
scriptions of Macanlay and Lamar
tine?
When the storm of passion has
blown over, and the calm, serene and
generous feelings Of humanity and
brotherly love have returned think
you reason will detect any difference
between the struggle Of '76 and Oh
between Washington obeying Virgi-
MIA in '76, and Lee obeying Virginia
in '6l-any difference between the
teachings OF Jefferson and Davis:
Rays Of light are already beginning
to lllumine the horizon, and fanatic
ism, alarmed, begins to waver in her
course. Repentance, then recon
struction, law, order and Justice may
soon come. Peace and some liberty
are gradually being extended; com
merce, with its harmonizing effects,
is weaving together the different sec
tlons; and better acquaintance with
each other will soften asperities, re-
move prejudices and harmonic the
whole.
Woman, III her mission ot love,
will be an agent in this happy recon
struction. This ceremonial, to-day,
Is tribute to the noblest sentiments
Of the heart, which will be responded
to by generous people everywhere.
Your watchful care, during the war,
Of the sick snd wounded, in hospitals
and prison, suffering yourselves
under great ;,rivations, Will produce
its effects for the common wea!
And here let us publicly acknow-
ledge our praise and gratitude to
those angels OF mercy who admins
tered consolation and comfort to
Southern prisoners in the North
True to the instincts OF high humani-
ty, they arose above the strife of time,
and manifested the etern al principles
of charity and mercy Rich the con
ISOLATION of the Divine blessing to
them, when ] was naked, We clothed
me, and in prison We visited me.
To-day, You re- echo this nobility of
nature i'll dressing the graves of Fede-
raj prisoners, and in heaping gar
lands on your own soldiers graves.
May this element Of love overcome
the bitterness of feeln & which rankles
In too mal.y hearts, and harmony and
good will permeate this wide domain.
By woman's gentle hands the seeds
are sown, and we devoutly pray a
speedy and full harvest.
We have learned our lessons wei. in
the school of experience. Our pride,
which was too great, has been abased,
and we begin to understand that hui
mihty is pearl of matchless price.
Our people, in tho past, were pre-
eminent for knowledge in the science
of government But we neglected
too much literature, science and the
practical arts, the hand maids of a
high civilization. While cultivating
the graces which fitted us for states
men, our moro industrious peighbors
were accumulating the resources
which eventually fixed our destiny.
Now, we must direct our thoughts
from the State to the familv-to the