Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-27

which your people ore distinguished, and
which have been most remarkable in the
crisis through which your country has
passed and is still passing. The
people of England, but more es-
pecially we In Ireland, have watched
with the keenest interest the progress of
the tremendous struggle which is now
happily at an end--we watched with
admiration the glorious deeds per-
formed alike by the armies of the North
and Southland we looked with passion
ate longing for the moment when the
sword would be sheathed in peace, and
the evil passions engendered be allowed
to slumber and die. Applause. But
however much we admired the deeds of
heroism displayed on both sides during
the protracted struggle, we much more
admired the magnanimity displayed by
those who we're the conquerors of gal
liant and chiyalrous foe. We heard of
no packed juries, nor partisan judges
we saw no scaffold reeking with the blood
of the vanquished-we beheld none of
these instances of sanguinary vengeance
which might be looked for at the close
of terrible civil strife in any of the old
countries Of Europe. Applause You
may boast of the fact so honoring to the
fame Of this great republic, that since
the close of the war not single drop of
blood has been shed. Loud applause.
The institutions of this republic have
been on their trial-indeed are still on
their trial-before the bar OF public opin-
ion in Europe. 1t is natural that coun
tries living under different constitute =
should regard our institutions with GER
tain amount Of Jealousy and mistrust;
and when the people of England call for
extended franchises, and those who OPP
pose their demand point to our institu-
tons, and hold them up as bugbesr and
a bugaboo to terrify Parliament from
further concessions to the popular will.
But sir, while | am attached to the in
situations under which live, l seek TO
improve them by rendering them more
acceptable to the mass of the population
and | may fairly appeal to your progress
and prosperity in vindication of your in
stitutions, and to the manner in which
your war has terminated, as proof of
the magnanimiiy with which they inspire
your people [Applause We behold
spectacle as glorious as that which has
been held up to the admiration of the
world for centuries. When the conflict
was over, when the last blow had been
struck, when the smoke of battle had
passed away, we beheld your gallant sol
diers, your mighty captains-men whose
fame had become world-wide-like Gin
cinnatus, who had turned his sword into
the ploughshare, going back to the
peaceful pursuits of honest industry
Applause And, sir, l have myself met
and conversed with many of the men
whose very names were rallying cry to
their friends, and a sound of terror to
the enemy-men who were foremost in
the fray, whose voices we're heard above
the roar of battle, who were to be found
10 the very thickest of the deadly fight
| have seen these men-men of European
reputation = dscharging the duties of
every day life, in various branches of
trade and commerce, bearing themselves
as quiet, modest, unassuming gentlemen.
[ Loud Applause To this, so creditable
to the character of your country, /
can bear my personal testimony, and
my warmest admiration. Living in
another land, therefore no partisan of
either land, let me say that the great
struggle through which this country has
passed has raised it in the estimation of
Europe. | do not refer to the social
question which the war has settled, or
to the long abiding officially which it
has removed. With such q subject, it
would not become me to deal; | refer
only to the one result which the war has
achieved for the United States. 1t is
that ambition of European nations to
become, and to be recognized as great
military powers But America has at
bound indeed become military power.
Talk of the armies of Prussia, or Austria,
or France, or England, or of the legions
of Russia-why they are all dwsrfed by
the gigantic armies of North and South,
which have made the United States of
America the greatest military power on
earth. Loud applause North and
South may be equally proud of this
fact-msy be equally proud of the gal
lantry, the heroism displayed on either
side-that gallantry and heroism which
both sides are, TO their honor, equally
ready to recognize and applaud. The
Irish people did, of necessity, feel an
interest in the war which did so much to
develop the resources and energies of
the Republic; for there was not single
one of those Titanic battles which shook
the soil of America, that did not bring
sorrow to many home in that green
isle, whence you have drawn so much of
your national likelihood. Applause. |
repeat, sir, yourjnstitptions are on their
trial. and upon the conduct ofyour states
men depends the estimate which will be
formed 10 Europe of the value of republic
can institutions. The grand duty of the
hour is the reconstruction of this vast
Republic, the development of the mighty
resources of the South as well as North,
so as to secure the greatness and glory
of your country Let there be no strife
between North and South, between South
and North-let the bitterness of the past
be lost forever in generous oblivion let
the victor in the struggle respect the
feelings of those who so calamity fought
and so nobly surrendered: let the patri-
OTIS rise to the dignity of the hour, and If
they will only act in the spirit of many
of the sentiments expressed here to day,
they will consolidate the strength and
advance the honor of their country.
[ Applause In conclusion | beg to ex-
press my most earnest wishes for the
progress and prosperity, the peace and
happiness of this glorious Republic.
[ Loud and prolonged applause], amid
which Mr.. Mcguire resumed his seat.
The Mayor then proposed the toast,
THE Ladies"
Hon. j. R. Hubbell, on being called |
on to respond, said it had been arranged |
with Colvde MARYLAND, who had charge |
of the excursion, that no speeches |
would be made, He had agreed to this,