Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-08-13
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Noble Speech.

The following are the closing paragraphs of
a speech delivered by the Hon. w. Z. Robin
son, member of Congress from Brooklyn, n.
Y, during the discussion upon the supple
ment to the reconstruction bill recently adopt-
ed by Congress:
Sir, we have been playing political thimble-
rig with the South, and who can tell under
which thimble the little joker which will Sc
cure restoration is to be found. The lower
the South has bent the knee, the more intol-
cradle have become the terms OF pardon even
kindly words from any friend Of the South
were answered with greater iudignity, till,
finally, conditions arc extracted which none
but bullies would demand or caverns Weld,
for "the knee that is forced had been better
uubent." But there is hope ahead. Iu after
years, from common bond of love, beneath
u common flag, from u common brotherhood
born OF our Northern children, mingling in
holy family ties with the children OF the South,
men will look back aud wonder that there
was wickedness enough in the world to inflict
such injuries upon one another; but will
bless the peaCelnakers among their ancestors,
and curse the miscreants who famed so long
the fame of contention. Nay, shall live to
see that day; and shall not be ashamed to
look my children in the face and to say that
there was one who fought the rebels through
out the rebellion, hut when the war was over
pleaded for forgiveness, believed in Southern
honor, and voted as lie believed; who never
attempted the futures portal with the past's
blood rusted keys" who would rather grasp
the bloody hand of an open foe than touch
the Shiny finger Of the coward that skuIked
from danger; who never kicked the under
most dog nor struck fallen foe.
''Whcn the foe has knocked under TO tread on him
By the fist of my father, blush for thee, Rem"
Let me say closing word for my fellow
citizens Of the South. l cannot forget that
they, too, have sorrows that might well arouse
revenge. There are maddening memories
which, matched against our own aud shrieked
into each others ear, would keep US for ever
apart. They have hearts to feel and ewes to
weep for loved ones lost, for husbands buried
on distant battlefelds, fathers slaughtered in
the mountain passes, and sons taken away by
instant death, all buried in nameless and
unknown graves. They fought galIantly, but
they are down; and cursed be the hand that
smites the fallen. l long to see them back
in the Union, that they and we, forgiving
aud forgetting the past, aud girding up our
loins for the magnificent future, may enter
upon the career of greatness aud glory that
stretches away before us.
have sought to elevate my mind above
the vengeance of divided present, aud hav-
ing looked to the Frightening flag of united
future as the inheritance of glory for a com ..
mon pOsterity. In days gone by learned
my creed from Henry Clay and Daniel Web
ster, John NJ. Clayton, and John j. Critten-
den l stand by the record, and refuse the
teaching of BrowulOw and Phillips
l see in the future an ocean bound Repub-
lie; in the immediate future hundred mil
lions of her united people. Where but a few
stars fickered in her sky, 1 see consteIIa-
tlons blazing; the futter OF her flag is re-
fected on every sea, the splash of her propel-
Ter vexes every ocean; aud to that future l
summon back our brethren of the South,
for without them success would be failure,
and glory be but shame.
"Oh would thou vert near me my Southern brother
love thee as dear the OF nv mother
am lonely aud sad since the day that we parted
My lips have the tome of maid broken hearted
But come from the future fresh flowers we'll ca. her
And sinS the sweet songs OF our Union forever"