The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-07-11

fS - 31p'o ouuissss AckaseitN " So4sfvoeA
BsrcE at the celebration at Montrose on tic
4th inst. Us seyaae
The historian who shall write the rise and
fall of the rebellion, will note that on the 4tll
day of July, 1868, the sun of its success had
passed hsmeridian.. TWAS the turning point
in the war, Up to that time the result seem.
ed TO hang doubtfnlly in the scale--but now
the decisive moment seems to have come.
The measure of our success on and about
that day may be thus stated vIcksbur the
Gibraltar of rebellion, with its army Of over
10000 men with immense material, lad sur
rendered, the closing act of a most brilliant
campaign. Gettysburg had Just been fought,
resulting in most splendid victory to the
Union arms. A small army at Helena had
repnlsed an attack Of superior numbers Of the
enemy, who sought to gain position TO con
troll the Mississippi. And few DAYS later,
Port Hudson, in the Gulf Department. was
surrendered with an army Of over 5000 men
opening our own Mississippi to the sea.
There may be no significance in the
TACT that victory crowned the Union
arms with such signal success on this
anniversary Of our National Independ-
ence. 1t may have been mere accident
but we know there is Providence in the af.
fairs of men, and it would seem like in6delity
for us to fail to recognize and acknowledge it
when 1t is so clearly pointed out.
This is the day that rebellion had hoped to
obliterete from its calendar with all its clus
terlng memories aud thrilling associations 1t
IS the day that brought victory to the Union
BOTH in the East and in the West. and to our
enemies signal defeat and disaster. They
should have paused here and been admonish-
ed TO return to the faith Of their fathers
From such q series OF overwhelming re
verses occurring on this day. which Of all
others was associated in the American mind
With Union and Liberty. They might well
haze thought that the god Of battles was not
upon their side.
Pardon me if | make here personal allu
sion. Many whom | see here to day. including
your humble speaker. participated in the
victories OF the 4th ofJnly, 1888 And can
say for one that the scenes of that triamphal
entry into the city of Eicksburg on that day,
can never be effaced from my memory. Our
approach had been long resisted BY stub
born foe-his lines seemed to be impregnabIe
at every point-and when at last he was COM
PEELED to ..llow Us to march over and take
possession OF his works, with our drums beat
ing and flags flying in token OF victory. the
scene passes my power of description. and is
remembered as the proudest day of nv life.
We congratulate ourselves &c day that tie
and thot We are at peace with all the nations
OF the earth We are happy to meet SO many
Of our gallant soldiers, who have returned from
service in the armies Of the country, and have
the privilege OF once more Joining their friends
on occasions like This Notime could be more
appropriate for such reunion than this ami
versary. net only Of our National Independ
eaee, but Of thsrecen victories of Our armies.
Ise se-Yiee q. our soldiers in the war has
increased there love for the dav we celebrate
and all Its thrilling associations. believe
] speak to the experience Of every soldier
when | say that to serve under aud
hght for the tiag Of his country, produces for
il a deeper love and a more enthusiastic adj.
miration for all that it represents.
Bat this is true OF ali. for although all have
not heen in the war sad peIiorsnea military
service, yet ali have borne a portion Of lis
heavy burdens.
Blood and treasure have been expended
freely TO suppress the rebellion. 1t has cost
millions and millions of money, and BOO, 00n
soldiers Of the best blood Of the country have
been slain.
Every one can name friends lost in the war
There is scarcely family circle in the whole
land but has at least one vacant chair. We
see around us everywhssa, tnose who are
j. caring the weeds OF wdowhood, and mourn-
Ing for one dearer to them than life Macy
parents hearts are saddened at the memory
Of those who left their iresides and are never
to gladden. their eyes or cheer their hearts by
their return. Many lone widow refuses to
he comforted for the loss Of her only son.
A government and institutions preserved
al such fearful cost as this. should bring 70
our hearts fuller appreciation Of is va,ne,
and OF tie blessings vi peaee.
" mere are those today who wprp wont IN
meet with us Oh occasions ike this but who
at the call of their cnuRtrg. babe their frien IS
q has,y adieu, aud hurried oil TO the camp
and to the wars. Their bones lie upnn a
thousand battle fields. They died gloriouslY,
that their country might 1--we Martyrs to
liberty and free government
sThey, who for their Country die
Shall fill an honored grave,
For glory lights lie soldier tomb,
and beauty Teeps the brave"
In our sorrow for the dead we should not
forget the living. 1t is highly eommenda-
bic policy of our Government to make liberal
provision for the disabled soldier. and also
for the widows and dependents Of those who
have fallen III her service. Common graft
tude shondindu 2 the Government to carry
Ont this policy with liberal hsad
BIT the Governments owes debt OF grati-
borne part in maintaining the integrity of
the Union, and in securing victory to the Ma
tional arms They are the heroes of the
country. Civilized and uLcivilized nations
have ever sought to honor thuse who have
maintained their cause on the field OF battle
While the generosity of our Government and
people in this regard cannot be Questioned.
yet il Is true thet there are those in our midst
VINO have no kindness in their hearts Tor the
soldier. They had from the beginning. no
sympathy with the soldiers cause. During
all these years of war. they felt no JOY at their
successes and no pain at their reverses.-
They always expressed doubt as to the result,
and seemed to be as well prepared for the
success of the enemy. as for the success of
the Union arms. They protested to be able
to see no difference in the moral quality of
fighting for or against the Union, and if any
difference, the rebel soldier was entitled to
the most creditor, that his pay WAS not SO
good or his rations so well provided
Since the sindication of the National
authority. they profess mora love for the sol
der and even claim to have been his special
friend. The soldiers vii not be deceived by
such pretenses as this. These are not the
men who sustained. cheered and encouraged
them during the war. Rather are they OF
that class who stigmatized their work as q
failure. They are those who remained at
home in the hour Of danger; sought Govern
ment contracts gambled upon public stocks ;
faitened and grew rich upon the public mis-
fortunes. 1t viii be sad day for this country
when these men shall occupy positions oftrust,
and when they in public estimation, shall
stand above the coats of blue. which on q
thousand battle fields have borne the Nation
al arms TO honor and to victory.
The soldieroi the Onion army does not need
totrace mp long line OF ancestry to prove that