The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-11-20
LEsSONs OF THE PAST.

LESsONS OF THE PAST.
1t follows as surely as the workings
of a mathematical problem, that certain
principles 10 this government produce
certain results To battle against them
is to ignore the logic of history and IN
woke defeat, and in this alone the De-
mocracy have been successful When
the war closed the great question was,
10 know how TO reconstruct the rebel
States. The principles upon which
the contest had been waged originated
in the necessities of the occasion. The
proclamation of freedom was not an
nounced until the exigency occurred
which rendered il Indispensable. The
faith of the Nation was not pledged un-
I'll all other means of raising money
were exhausted And it was so with ali
the measures of President Lincoln. He
Anticipated nothing, but met every trial
with the readiest and best means that
the nation afforded. After his death re-
construction became a necessity because
il offered a mild and thorough remedy
for n great evil Had Andrew johnson
proved faithful 10 the principles upon
which he was elected, reconstruction
would have been effected with little or
no real opposition but the opposition
which il could not prevent retarded and
embarrassed IL, and gave existence to a
party Of destrucIives, who thought they
saw in il the means of obtaining pos
session ot the Government A more
corrupt idea never formed the basis OF
political action. Ii successful, il would
inti:ct vital wound upon the Govern
meut. More insidious than the war
waged by the South il would not be less
fatal. The people saw this-telt it
and determined upon its defeat. In the
light of that thrilling reason, that their
country was in danger, they moved un-
der an impulse as invincible as the
mountains liz needed no organization
TO marshal an army of voters equal To
such a contest. Love of country was
the couquering element, and mighty in
deed has been the defeat. Imagine the
common thought by which whole
nation was influenced. Hear its anthem
peal. gathering in volume from State TO
State, as il chants the trumpet notes of
freedom and perpetuity. witness
she gathering hosts which, by
simultaneous volition obey the
rallying call of liberty A grander spec
tacle was never witnessed a more mag
nificent victory to US never achieved. In
the future OF our country, we See no.
thing TO fear. The dangerous OBJ
stacles that grew out of the war
are all overcome. That there
will be complaint without cause, oppo~
sition without power, intrigue without
il is natural 10 expect, but with
the full support and appreciation of the
people, il is impossible that under the
rule of one who has done so much and
so well tor his country, there should be
any mistake in the adoption of policy
suited to its wants. The victory has inn
parted confidence To all, in the inherent
power of American institutions, and the
Great Republic still moves on. No fac
ton will again be found TO impeach its
honor, or doubt its wisdom. The hu-
initiation intended for il, has fell like a
poison bnght upon those with whom il
while in it's own conscious
integrity, IL occupies loftier position
among the nations, than ever before.
The nations of the old world can see
more 10 admire, than their pride and ar
rogance will permit them 10 approve,
in our recent triumph. If il does not re-
buke, il certainly does not fatter them.
Nor will il strengthen, if it does not re-
form their governments. The great con-
effected by the victory, teach
rs Us, as Americans. never TO despair of
the Republic. In its foundation princi-
Piles, il possesses tue elements OF inde~
Ii will live and grow for
sver. The great achievement it has al
ready effected ia peace and in war, won
lerful as they are. prefigure only what
Jur great destiny will be. with capabili-
=. - of
erprise fully aroused. War, debt, 1e-
recreancy have not de-
,troyed a single energy. Look at the
Pacific Railroads. the Atlantic telegraph, |
II the new Territories, children of the |
var; at the rapid influx of population !
very where, AT the newly discovered I
wealth of our mountains and valleys
.bove all, at the freshly inspired hope, /
aith, and patriotism of the people. 10 |
'ur darkest houE thesehave never failed.
So failure of present occupation, NO sud
.en abandonment of enterprise, no wild
ushing of whole people to arms, as If
he end had come, has ever character-
zed our people, but the national de-
ence and the national greatness have
.one hand in hand through all our past
history. While the sons were fighting
nd dying on the bloody fields of the
'outh, the fathers were cultivating the
elds of the North the one blossomed
sith victory, tie other with plenty
md thus has it ever been with our
ountry. The lessons of the past are
nth US now TO direct our prosperity, as
hey were with US in the past to ami
late US with courage and hope. Let US
Ot distrust them They fill the pros
ect before US with good omens, and ir-
adiate the future with a glory that
bides with a great people well gov>
rned.
The lady who Schuyler Colfax led TO
NJ - 80. I, /