Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-10-16
sbip. of which | am go Justly proud

w men the time came tnat coDscriPtion
laws we're necessary. we knew how un-
popular they were; but our soldiers we're
dying In the field, shot down by rebel
bullets, pining aud suffering in hospitals.
their lives ebbing away from wounds and
disease asd privations Of every descrip-
ton, and the only way to keep our ranks
full was TO risk the draft law. We had
only one motto, and that was, our coun-
tfy; aud we said that although we know
the popular prejudice may be invoked
against us on account Of this law, yet be-
cause II is q necessity, in order that the
country may be saved, we take the respon-
sibility aud we vote for the law. We did
so, the country was saved, and you 70.
joice to-day over that saliva ton.
Now that tiue has passed away. We
need no such lpws- to day. We have tsx-
es to pay; but We are reducing those tax.
es every year, and We expect to do so, for
we are able. ~asli
But this is not the whole record Of this
party; though that would be enough TO
crown il with everlasting honor. You
know how, for years and years, We have
sorrowed and had our faces crimsoned
with shame on account Of that disgrace
in free couniry-American slavery.
When il plunged our country into war,
when the leaders OF rebellion sought to
destroy the country, they could no long,
er rule. After two years OF war, Abra.
ham Lincoln issued bis proclamation, de-
claring that II they continued 10 murder
Union soldiers for one hundred days more
he would strike that institution with the
battle axe Of war power, aud shstter It
from turrei 10 foundation stone. Do you
remember how we were denounced upon
every side; how We were spat upon and
buffetted; how you were denounced as ne
gro worshippers--as having turned the
war for the Union into a war TO free ne
groes2 Do you remember how you were
overwhelmed with y torrent Of calumny
and inyeeuve2 But you we're faithful TO
liberty in spite Of il all, inspired by the
sane devotion which inspired our fathers
In the revolution; at last you triumphed.
That stain was wiped from the national
escutcheon, aud from Maine TO Califor.
MIA, from the frozen lakes Of the North
TO the Gulf Of Mexico, there was not q
single mao who dared TO call himself mas.
ter, or to call another his slave.
This was your work. and you have a
right to be proud Of IL; that in this great
act Of humanity, justice and liberty, hon.
ored by the word and approved, as be.
lieve, by Almighty God, you were Que of
the active participants.
Where are the men who filed those
streets with calumny Of you then, who
pointed their fingers In scorn nc you be-
cause you dared to strike at slavery as the
source OF oil our woes2 Not a tongue
datcs TO wag;ihey are silent. Your enemies
being the judges. you are triumphsntiy
endorsed by the American people. You
aud shall pass away; soon the clods Of
tho valley will be heaped upon our cold
remains, but what we have done shall live
In history, Frightening under the eye Of
postcrity as age after age passes away and
your children snd your children's chill.
dren shall rise up and Gull you blessed
because In the midst Of civil war you
dared 10 wrestlo with that wicked iusti
tuition; to strike 10 down without any help
from them, aud In spite OF them to ban-
ish slavery forever from this fair Rcpub.
llo Of ours. DO you wonder that my hear,
throbs and swells a. | feel, with you, that
this is our work and that II shall be 10
our honor aud glory forever and everY
Nor Ia this all. We had a noble Pros /.
idont there, faithful 10 the country, TO
the Constitution, TO his oath, and faithful
against rebellion Do you remember how
the hell hounds Of party were let loose
upon him, how he was branded asa Nero,
Caligula; you stood by him faithfully
TO the end. and when he was slain by the
bullet Of that rebel assassin, j. w, Booth,
when he went up TO heaven he held In
his hands the broken fetter that had
bound four millions Of his fellow men,
aud said 10 his Creator, they are all free
as my spirit IL free. The noblest Of all
the President since the days Of Wash.
ingtou. lie was reviled aud illuminated
as no other President ever was; yet he
reviled not again; he did bis duty faith
fully aud unhinchingly 10 the eud, sus.
tanned by the lofty patriotism which ami
mated his bosom. He died Died2 Mol
lie was zone Of the few, the immortal
names that were not born TO die" Muir
dered, cotllned, buried rs he was, he
lives to-day, lives In the glorious compa.
ny Of the martyrs Of justice. liberty aud
humanity; lives 10 the recollection Of the
dark browed race that he lifted from the
degradation OF slavery up TO the full
standard Of manhood In our Republic;
lives 10 the hearts Of all who gave father,
brother, son or friend TO die as he did for
his country. Lifting himself by his own
energy aud faithful adherence to princi-
pie from the humblest position TO the
highest station In the world-from the
top Of fames ladder he stepped TO the
sky. We were bis friends aud support.
ers; we held up his hands when the storm
cloud Of war first burst upon the country.
and We can turn back TO the recollection
that IN all these things We have been faith.
full to liberty justice, humanity and our
country, and written upon the brightest
pages Of our country's history what shall
be to our eternal honor Ia all the years
to come. tl
And, to-day, having saved nation and
emancipated race. we follow our great
standard bearer. the hero Of the century,
Ulysses s. Grant. brave in battle. gener-
Gus in victory, 6rm as the eternal hills, in
the pathway Of principle, and have written
upon our banners those magic words of
his, .'let us have peace Four words,
but there is a volume contained in theui.
If there is q country in the world that