The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-06-12
A TOUCHING STORY.

Senator Nye, of Nevada, in his speech
last week, drew the following touching
picture:
Three weeks ago I went over to Ar.
Iingtou Heights. | counted there great
many graves, and they told me there were
fourteen thousand dead soldiers reposiug
upon the Heights of Arlington. Early
in May, 1861, [ stood upon those heights
aud there was not grave there. The in
quiry naturally arose in-my mind, why
are so many here now? | found quick
aud ready answer in a recurrence to the
terrible revolution of the last four years.
There lie mingled the remains of Rebels
and the remains of Union men. | noticed
not unfrequently as I passed along, the
inscription unknown" on the head board
of the Union soldier. Sir, in behalf of
that unknown soldier require prudence
at the bands oflthis Congress. There I
got the inspiration, if | may use the ex-
preston, of extreme caution. | stand
here the advocate Of that unknown soldier
and in his name and by his memory de-
mand of the Congress of the United States
that they shall tread cautiously in this
great work Of binding up the wounds of
the country. In the name of all the dead
| demand it. In the name of mourning
millions l require at the hands of every
body who is engaged in this work to see
to it that it is done in such way as to
reuder recurrence Of this terrible rebel.
lion impossible. Stain not again the fair
! fields of this country with loyal blood
rear no more hecatombs of loyal bones
but stand here in this breach made by
them as the Romans stood, firm and de-
termincd, that what you do shall be we'll
done, and that it shall not require doing
again. If all these recollectons are not
enough, in the name of the martyred Lin
coin l demand prudence at the hands of
the American Government. If that is
not enough, | demand it in the name of
the mapgled living.
"My friend from Wisconsin will pardon
me, having great faith as he says, in the
final result, if | call his attention to ano-
ther..view. Sir, beyond the grave we
shall meet an army of three hundred
thousand dead, who will never again an
swer to roll call on earth, but in the day
of judgment they will be there. In their
name and by their memory, by the i'm
mortal death they died and lives they
lived, demand the Congress and every
department of this Government shall tread
cautiously in this great work Of recon-
struction. Sir, my mind is made up, En-
counter whatever opposition it may, from
whatever source, | will be prudent. By
all the sacred recollections of the past, |
demand caution. By all that is garnered
up in the rich treasure house Of the future,
| demand caution. In the name of liber-
ty and freedom itself and its perpetuation
demand caution at every step you take.
Rush not madiy on to any policy. See
where your strength lies, and follow that.
See where the right lies, no matter whose
policy it may be, and follow it though the
heavens fall.
'Sir, entertain no fears for the future
of this country. 1t is written by the fn-
ger of Omnipotence himself that this ma
ton is to be the freest, noblest, happiest
nation of the earth. Through whatever
tribulations we may have to go, [ see
through the mists and the fogs of the
present its coming glory in the future.
This continent is destined and dedicated
"a the abode of happy and free people.
If our suferings have not been sufficient
to bring US to the true consideration of
what is demanded at our hands, it may
be that we shall be called upon to wade
through still deeper Affections but, sir,
the spirit of this people will rise with the
demand. 1t will carry on to perfection
the great work commenced by our fathers
here of making this the abode of the free
and the home of the oppressed of every
race and cline.