The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1870-06-08

my W "SiO "hiVhs, uSD 10 huS puSocu ny uu
noticed, and that day by day DER him floats
Americas starry flag.
And look at the result of this war 1t has
made us stronger. it has enlarged the area
oil freedom no slave now stands or breathes
upon our soil; no respecter of persons; civil
and political rights are conferred upon all,
rich and poor, high and low--the laborer
t"iling Tor his daily bread as well as the rich
man lolling in case. Never Was there gov
ernment more free never was there gov
"rnm"nt so cmphatically government ol the
people. To-day each of us can say with
truth that The declaration Oi our fat hers
that 'all men are created equal, is fulfilled,
and all, under the protection of the "Stars
and Stripes" arc enjoying that freedom and
equality which no people ever enjoyed he
fore.
We art at peace; the clash of war is
hushed; not despot upon his throne but
quails with fear as he luoks b.ck upon the
achievements of the American people, not
in conquest and subjugation, but in the pre-
servation of that which is ours by divine
right-our freedom For who doubts but
that anarchy and despotism would have
had full sway, had the result of the war
been different.
But, comrades, what has been the price at
which our liberty has been bought? Look
at those graves! Look ut the widows and
orphans of our dead comrades! Look at
the manned and crippled throughout our
land, and they will answer. Let us there
fore preserve that boon so dearly bought.
Let us show TO the world that we arc wor-
thy of the name Of frecmcn. Let US show
them that we arc frecmen-as such We will
live and as such we will die. Let us rear
our children TO love and revere the memory
of the boys in blue" and let our nations
emblem, the "Stars and Stripes" be en-
graved upon every youthful heart, so that
when we are gone they may come here, as
each year rolls around TO take our places to
testify the undying love of II grateful repub-
lie for the memory of those who died that
the nation might live.
Before we go, let us reflect that in yondsr
graveyard sleep our brothers-those who
wore the grey. Let US think of them, not
in anger, but in sorrow. Let us throw aside
the bitter rcmcmbrances OF the past. Let
us think and speak of them only as brave
honorable soldiers. On many hard fought
field we have mct-we have fought-hey
have fought, as none but Americans can fight.
Mistaken though they were in the cause for
which they battled, their bravery was none
the less honorable. Close by are the graves
of tue Conlederatcs, and here the graves of
the Unionists-the blue and the grey. Each
gave up their lives tor the cause they thought
right-cach is entitled to respect. He that
would speak of the dead aught but in kind
ness and respect, is man too base, too con-
temptible for one honorable action.
The contest is over. Let us over their
graves drop tear, and leave the rest with
God. Americans as We are, there is not q
heart North or South that does not swell
with pride at the glory of our nation. Let
US then, with the mantle OF forgetfulness,
cover the past. Let US throw aside those
feelings which scar the heart, and
find our duty and our pleasure
in doing all we can to repair the evil
that has been done. Let the cloud of de-
preston he lifted. Let us remember that We
are all Americans, all children of one ma
tion, and, as the ties of domestic affection
bind together the domestic circle, so must
the national ties of brotherhood bind us
together,-our interests, the interests of sOci-
ETY. demand it. 1t is indeed bitter ordeal
through which We have passed, but, like
gold from the fire of the rctiner, we shall
become purcr and better for it.
Comrades and friends, let us again look
upon the graves of these heroes before we
part, and leave with them our pledge that,
come what may, if ever the hand of treason
or foreign power be raised against the flag
they fought and died to sustain, we will re-
vengc the insult or perish in the attempt
Brave boys in bluc."-what name more
fit falling in the battle for the Union, you
were not spared to see the glorious triumph
to which your valor contributed Well do
you deserve nations gratitude and the adj
-miratioa of the world Peace tn your ashes.
May your slumbcrs ne'cr be disturbed by The
clash of civil war in this cur country. Your
memory, implanted in every irccman's heart,
will live when marble columns lie crumbled
in the dust
Hon. J. W. Holden being introduced, cn-
tcrtained the audience for a few minutes.
Alter the benediction by Rev. G. w. Bro
die, the crowd dispersed to strew flowers on
the graves of the gallant dead.
Before the bcnetliction, Capt. T. F. Lee
arose and rendered his thanks to those OF the
Committee and OF the relatives of the de-
ceased soldiery to the ladies of Raleigh for
their contributions of flowers for the ucca.
sion, which he happily styled the tribute
of the mothers and sisters of the gallant
boys in gray to the memory of the gallant
boys in blue"
The flags in the city were lowered at half
mast and the stores closed during the cxer
cises