The New York herald., 1869-02-23
THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS, ASSOCIATION
Lecture in Brooklyn by General w. s.
HiiIyer.

Lecture in Brooklyn by General w. s.
HiiIyer.
lecture was given last night In aid OF the beneyo
lent fund OF the Veteran Soldiers and Sailors Asso-
claton OF Kings county, at the Athen@um in Brook
lyn BY General W. s. Hilyer late OF General Grants
stan. There was large audience but the house was
not full The lecturer was introduced by General T..
2. Kozay the president OF the association and took
for his subject ssDriftinrs OF the War and
the Nations New Departure, He said when
the fatal gun was fired at Fort Sumter
IL put an end to all discussion OF politl-
cal differences. The logic OF argument gave
way to the logic Of arms. The men of the North
united for these propositions. The men that fired
that gun were either citizens OF the United States,
as we claimed they were, or they not citizens,
a. they Gained they were not II citizens. then they
were traitors and deserved the fate Of traitors; n
not citizens then foreign enemy who had insuled
the nag. and the insult was to be wiped out only in
their blood There was further consideration OF
causes There was no counting OF cost. From all
classes volunteer army sprang up defend the life
OF the nation Il was no politicians war. Pollti-
clans were only the bubbles the crest OF the great
wave Of popular sentiment. Tt was the inevitable
result OF the anagonism OF ideas. It was absoiutey
necessary that the people OF the United States
should be homogeneous people in order 10 achieve
their great mission. 1t was good thing thai the
war came when u did, ~ IL was inevitable. Il was
war OF twenty millions Of people, with an
established government based on principles of
equality and recognized throughout the civil
Il
| Win constitution whose corner stone
was slavery. They were, indeed, ten millions
OF people with brave hearts and strong arms and a
firm belief that their cause was right: pnt fhev
learned at last that God the side o the strong
est battaions. In other was success 10 little
due 10 generalshlp and much TO the hard aghtlng
of the armies Tue closing OF this contest has not will
not 90 away with political parties. They essen.
si 70 the safety OF the government The l.Sue that
divides political parties to-day the question n
spoils. Right or wrong just or unjust tie question
OF reconstruction Is IrrevOcably nxed. THE war
however, has not settled everything. We are 4
richer people than our fathers and wickeeler ion
The crmine OF the judiciary IN soiled either by the
pollution OF actnal guilt or by suspicion. and men who
gamble In stocks inquire on which aide are the
judges Legislative bodies are in such bad repute
that Horace Greeley says IT IL cheaper TO by legls
lator than TO elect one. our churches are bazaa
OF fashion and our theatres schools OF morals--bu
or very bad moiuis.. The truth. II taught there a
ALL s very naked truth. The nation has power Il
overcome these evils, and II WILL But II can't lyr
10 Itself alone, and win be content only wren self
government n established over the whole continent
| of America
The lecturer was followed by some performances
IN necromancy by Major DE Barry, after which ths
| audience dispersed.