The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-06-10
resspect duel to the lfslien gladiator. But if,

respect due to the lfalqen gladiator. But if
this nation had right to its own integrity
and existcn Gel lido not mean merely the
conventional right derived from custom, on
the stronger right Of compact, but the pro-
founder right in which was involved 5the
highest interests of men, the maintenance OF
natural and inherent rights. among men,
which indeed is the basis of the government
itself-then every grave around us becomes
that of, a nations defender and Of peoples
champion. Nay, it becomes that of the
champion Of the highest principles Of equuil-
t. and justice, ...,.ta,s,,.. ,.v.g..,,e.g saF
This is said thus, emphatically, because
/ few wars arise from so profound cause as
ours. 1t was not a wfangle between two
monarchies for territory or power, or to
avenge "a fancied insult of d sovereign. lit
was not a war for plumber nor to preserve
the balance of power.1aBut it; was,a colli-i
SION between two antagonistic principles IN
society, wherein one was being gradually
worn away by, attrition with the other, until
as if inspired with life, and infuriatedl by
the abrasion, it, sprung up in resistance
whatsoever. imaglnes that our controversy Of
arms arose from any other cause, has not
read Alright. therefore draw deep and
broad line between combatants Of such a
character. There is a deep. gulf fixed be-
tween them We have no right, now. that
the struggle has ended, to pretend to be ig-
norant of these distinctions. or of the nature
of this contest We are hypecrital, and
were while in armor mere mercenarics, five
do not claim fof!the Union dead that softer
repose which comes from superior virtue. bae
| b, Nor were it necessary for me to press this
point so bluntly, were this cemetery located
in another latitude But here, where trea-
son still turks in different guises, where its
| insidious poison still testers in society, and
where to have been soldier against the Re.
public is esteemed merit, it would be un-
manly and disingenuous in him who drew
his sabre for the protection of the Republic,
to have withheld these expressions. While
1 say this, l desire to throw no contumely
upon the graves of the gallant dead who
composed the armies of the insurgent States,
nor even to impugn improperly the motives
| of the living, but | mean that forever here
| after so far as my influence may go, there
shall he no fame however lofty and unsul-
lied, which shall not blacken if yoked with
treason-and no man who can raise his par
ricldal arm against the Republic which is
the common parent and protector Of US all,
and not sink into ineffable and irretrievable
infamy. ......'.-....l ...-.,,.,-. Il,
And now, beneath these fresh laurels we
leave these silent comrades within the Ma
TONS enclosure Sadly we move away from
this great companionship. We have again
seemed to look upon the deep lines of blue.
| upon the floating standards and upon the
arms flashing in the sun. Their last march
is ended. They participate no more in the
pageantry of war. Here, where neither ta-
blet or obelisk records their deeds. they will
sleep until the great reveille sounds for all
men, but above them shall continually gath
er the affections of a grateful people,