The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-01


the view, fun of historic Interest, but no longer
dangerous TO the peace OF the surrounding country.
English reforms, heretofore slow, are becoming
more rapid, and the English people are marching
with accelerated speed to republican government
exist long i together amy they are essentially hostile
elements. The progress OF Suffrage in England has
Classes put after m many wears T sfuaSe m has
arrived at that point where its further progress can
not oe long delayed @ Universal We suffrage lies at me
which Is rugged, slow, and tOilsome, but when
achieved the people will be masters OF the situa-
gradually but surely overturning her aristocratc
and hierarchic Institutions by the force OF her
civil and religious liberty, crude and imperfect
when first brought from England TO America, having
been refined, illustrated, and extended, we return
them 10 the mother country for her adoption, laden
with rich and glorious results. The spirit OF Ameri-
can liberty is abroad in England. Her Brights
Gadstones, Forsiers, and her whole host OF liberal
statesmen are proclaiming the doctrines OF the
Declaration OF Independence, and verifying the
saying OF a celebrated EnglishInan that the Amer-
can Revolution guaranteed the free institutions OF
Englsnd we may not i've TO see England republic
predicted with as much certainty as any other in
human affairs; and t is Fastening on, perhaps fast
enough when all things are considered.
The difficulties in the way of putting down the
Rebellion were great. The rebeilious States con-
tanned population OF not less than ten Millions
and although nearly four millions slaves, yet
most of them, until the very conclusion OF the war
constituted the aboring and producing classes, and
furnished the supplies for the Rebel armies I'M the
field and the non-combatants at home The terri
tory OF the rebellous States comprised an area of
not less than eight hundred thousand square miles,
dlYerslned by vast ranges OF mountains deep rivers,
tangled wilderness, and far-stretching swamps and
everywhere presenting natural defenses behind
which a small force could hold large one at bay.
The lines of communication were necessarily OF
great length, and maintained with difficulty. A large
portion OF our forces were constantly employed In
this way, and in garrisOnng posts that t was sell
dom we were able to meet the enemy with superior
force upon the field.
These immense difficulties went far to counter
balance gunpriOrtV N
and were great to lead military observers
throughout Europe to prophesy, almost with one
accord that we could not conquer the South. II was
said there was no instance in history where large
population, scattered even one-third OF a ter
rty so great as that embraced by the Rebellion had
been subdued. II was said we could not conquer
space; that conquest would be a geographical inn
possibility that three millions OF men could not gar
rlson the south; and that, when we had captured
their towns and overrun the inhabited parts Of their
country, they would still maintain the war in mo-
rass, mountain, and forest almost impenetrabe to
regular armies until the North, exhausted in blood
contest
such was the belief of leading military minds in
Europe and OF the politicians OF the South when the
war began. These opinions seemed well-founded in
reason and in history, and the suppression of the
Rebellion, all things considered, may be Justly re-
garded as the greatest Of all military achievements
The fact that the Rebels fought upon their own
soil, in country with which they were familiar
projected from the approach of loyal armies by the
natural advantage before described, was full
compensation for the difference between the popu-
lation and the of the two sections and the
final triumph Of our and the suppression of the
Rebellion must be sought for in other causes.
What these causes were may be briefly stated
First. In the strength courage, and endurance i'm
parted to armies by the conviction that they are
lighting in just and patriotic cause The humblest
privates In our army believed they were lighting to
preserve the best government in the world to pre-
serve Liberty and eXtnguish Slavery; IN behalf OF
Civilization and Christianity against Barbarism and
Humanity These convictions gave inspiration,
e Upe 5 ss o r @aa 3
the Government throughout the contest constituting
an immense moral power in opposition to which the
South had but little to offer.
The people of the South had bitter prejudces,
which had been carefully fostered by designing poll
tcians. Many of them believed in the abstract doc
and the right OF secession Some believed in the
rightfulness of slavery, but more In its profitable
and pride. But all OF these constituted no moral
power to inspire the patriot nerve the soldier give
consolation in the dying hour, or determine people
never to surrender and to struggle on to the last
When, therefore, the principal armies OF the Re-
bellion were overcome and had surrendered the
war was at an end. Hostility was not maintained
in the forest and mountain, as had been predicted
The convictions, hopes, and purposes of the masses
had been extnguished before their armies were and
although they were fun of bitterness and humilia-
tion, yet there was nothing left for which they
might sacrifice their homes and the future quiet and
prosperity of their lives. Their cause failed in all
vance OF their armies and resources.
The Rebel historian of the "LOst Cause" in de-
scanting upon the subject spoke as follows:-
'"The whole fabric of Confederate defense tunl-
bed down at a stroke Of arms that did not amount
10 battle There was no last great cOnvulsion,
such as usually marks the final struggles of peoples
devotion or the expiring hours of their desperation
The word surrender travelled from Virginia to
Texas A four years contest terminated with the
smallest incident of bo0dshed; 1t lapsed; 1t passed.
by rapid and easy transition, into profound and
abject Submission. There must be some explana-
tiOn Of this nat conclusion OF the war; II is easily
found. Such a condition could only take place in
thorough decentralization OF the armies and people
Of the there must nave eeen genera &c nn
lie aflars, when great war was thus terminated,
and contest was abandoned so short OF positive de-
feat ana so far from the historical necessity OF sub
jugation."
And again he says:-
eve fear that the lessons and examples OF history
are to the contrary and We search in vain for one
instance where country Of such extent as the Con-
federacy has been so thoroughly subdued by any
amount of military force unless where popular de-
moralization has supervened."
History records that many nations, far more eX-
hausted than they, have struggled on to inal vic
tory. Our Revolutionary Fathers, at the end OF four
years, defeated, exhausted and overrun, did not
despair, but animated by the justice OF their cause,
and the belief that IL would triumph because Il was
Just struggled on, and at the end Of seven years,
were blessed with peace, ana the rich reward which
shall be the inheritance OF the earth rhrice is he
armed who hath his quarrel just and weak and de-
fenseless are they who contend for injustice and
slavery though girt about by the mountain the swift
river, and the deep wilderness.
Secondly. The armies OF The North were strong In
that physical endurance which is communicated 10y
habitua labor, and by that self-reliance and conf
dence which free labor only can inspire. They were
strong in the intelligence of the masses who filed
the ranks. These men understood well the nature
OF the struggle in which they were engaged. They
knew the vast consequences 10 themselves, their
postelity, and to the world depending upon the re-
suit. Their education enabled them not only TO
comprehend the cause but military operations,
the cOrditon OF the Government and the country,
and the decline Of the spirit ana strength OF the
enemy. In short our armies were vast ntelli-
gence, subject TO military control, possessing clear
IDEAS OF duty, condition, consequences, and spirit
and resolution commensurate to these.
We have met here to-day TO dedicate this monu-
ment to the memory Of the patriotic and gallant men
who fell upon this field and to testify our love foI