The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-09-04
A Noble Speech.

The following are the closing paragraphs
of a speech delivered by the Hon. W. 3.
Robertson, member of Congress from
Brooklyn N. T., during the discussion
upon the supplement to the reconstruction
bill recently adopted by Congress
Sir, we have been playing thimblerig
with the South, and who can tell under
which shimble the little joker which will
secure restoration is to be found. The
lower the South has bent the knee, the
more intolerable have become the terms of
Pardon ;even kindly words from any friend
of the South we're answered with greater
indignity, till finally, conditions are ex-
practed which none but DULLES would de-
mand or cravens yield, for, "the knee that
is forced had been better unbent." But
there is hope ahead. In after years, from
common bond ofloye, beneath common
flag from common brotherhood, born Of
our Northern children mingling in holy
faculties with the Children Of the South,
men will look back and wonder that there
was wickedness enough in the, world to
inAict such injuries upon one another; but
will bless the peace-makers among their
ancestors, and curse the miscreants who
famed SO long the fame of contention.
Nay, I shall live to see that day and shall
live to look my Children in the face and to
say that there was one who fought rebels
throughout the rebellion, but when the war
was over pleaded forgiveness, believed who
never attempted the future portal with
the past's blood rusted key who would
rather grasp the bloody hand Of an open foe
than touch the Shiny finger Of the coward
that skulked from danger; who never
kicked the undermost dog nor struck q
fallen foe.
"When the fec was knocked under, to tread
on him then =
By the fist Of my father, | blush for thee
Ben"
Let me say closing word for my fellow
citizens of the South. l cannot forget
that they, too, have sorrows that might
we'll arouse revenge. There are madden
ing memories which matched against oul
own and skrieked into each others ears
would keep up forever apart. They have
hearts to feel and eyes to weep for lovet
ones lost, for husbands buried on distan
battle fields, fathers slaughtered in tn
mountain passes, and sons taken away b!
instant death, all buried iu nameless ant
unknown graves. They fought calamity
but they are down and cursed be the hant
that smites the fallen. long to see then
back in the Union, that they and me, forgiv
ing and forgetting the past, and girding VI
our loins for the magnificent future, ina,
enter upon the career Of greatness AM
glory that stretches away before us.
/ have sought to elevate my mind abov
the vengeance Of divided present, an
having looked to the frightening flag Of
united future as the inheritance Of glor
for a common posterity. In days gone b
l learned my creed from Henry Clay an
Daniel Webster, John NJ. Clayton, an
John j. Crittenden. stand by the recort
and refuse the teaching Of Brownlow an
Phillips.
4 / see in the future an ocean-bound r.
public in the immediate future hundre
millions Of her united people. Where bu
a few stars Pickering in her sky, l sc
consultations blazing; the futter of HI
flag is reflected on every sea, the splash
4 her propeller vexes every ocean; and
that future / summon back our breathre
of the South, for without them succe'
be failure, and glory be but shame.
sOh would thou vert near me, my Southel
brother,
love thee as dear as the son ofmy mothe
am lonely and sad since the day that v
parted;
My lips have the tone Of maid broke
hearted;
But come, from the future fresh aowe
we'll gather,
And sing the sweet Songs Of our Unie
forever"