New Orleans Republican., 1868-12-19

broad stripes on our flag were to be trailed
| in the dust, the stars sunk forever from
view, and that our fair fabric of union was
| broken up beyond recall. Our attempts to
reason were laughed at; our laws subjected
| to scorn. The public property was seized and
a war begun. Men wasted their eloquence
in the vain attempt to avoid this storm.
| Statesmen exhausted the last peaceful
remedy, and not until this time was the last
arbiter resorted to. The volunteer soldier
then stepped forth into the field, and offered
his life and his service to defend and main
tain the Government against all its enemies,
and swore an oath that rebellion and aDar-
chy should not rule this land of ours, but
that liberty, justice and law should be re-
stored TO their righlful throne. (Cheers).
He has kept his word, and you now behold
the good ship of state again full rigged and
once more on her free course toward a glo-
rious future. You know that flag is still
there. [Cheers). There mas been lost not a
stripe-that same flag we have followed SO
often in the glare of scorching sun, by the
moons pale beams, by the light of the 0laz-
ing pine torch-now waves aloft in victory
and peace. Shall not, then, claim for you
who represent this ideal volunteer, the
higher honor, yea, the highest honor that is
conceded by mortal on earth.
You easily recall how long the war seemed
to US in its progress, but how short even
little more than three years, how incon-
ceivably short, then, will it appear to those
who hundred years hence will grope
through the pages of its history to learn of
its events, and what led five millions of
people to rebel when no act of oppression
or tyranny was ever alleged; we leave it to
them while still in the vigor of life and
health to record the parts We played in this
grand drama of life, with the motives and
feelings that actuated us through its various
stages. Many time and oft you have lain
upon the bare ground, with no canopy above
you but that of Heaven, with its host of
gllttering stars, and l know you have
dreamed of a time to come when, seated in
peace and security, surrounded by admiring
friends, you would be crowned with tiara
OF light such as now hangs over your heads.
Accept this, then, as the fruition OF your
dreams, and enjoy the hour. (Cheers).
-Four OF your comrades, one from each Of
the armies specially represented here, will
address you and tell you of the deeds you
have done. Give them willing and atten-
tive ear and when you go back to your
homes tell them all that these armies,
though dispersed in the flesh, vet live in
the spirit, as strong and enthusiastic as they
were four years ago, when in the very death
grapple with the enemies of our country
and civilization, and how in the name of
the convention that had made these prepa-
ratlons, tender to you all cordial greet
ing, 20 the veterans Of 1861, to the recruit
Of 1865. yea, to the convert of The very last
hour of grace. In the name OF the people
OF Chicago, who have provided the
means, I bid you welcome, and assure
you that seat awaits you at every ireside,
and in the name of every patriot in the
land, give you welcome, and tell you that
the lightnings flash not swift enough to
satisfy their yealning hearts to know what
is done here tonight. The presence of the
men about me, their high office, and the
duties they have left to be with you here,
all attest the interest and grandeur of the
occasion, ana in their names, too, comrades,
l bid you thrice welcome. tremendous
applause.
Addresses then followed by General Bel
KNAPP, of the Army of the Tennessee Gen
eral Croft, Of the Army of the Cumberland;
General Cox, of the Army of the Ohio; and
General Cogswell, of the Army of Georgia.