Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-06-02

fathers and to raise the bondman from the
earth to which he had been crushed, to the
full stature of a freeman. Moreover they
are accounted for in the recognition abroad
of our national character, which is one of
the fruits OF the war purchased with their
lives. This had been denied us, because,
as was said, our government had not been
tested because it was founded on myth,
and could not withstand internal dissen-
sion. Now this test has been applied with
unparalleled severity, and the world
acknowledges the effect of the result. The
problem of our ability for self-protection
from dangers within as well as without, is
now demonstrated, at least until individu-
al corruption shall sap the national foun-
dations, which is too often the last chapter
in the history of nations.
1t had become familiar talk that the
American had degenerated; that long
continued peace and prosperity, rapid
increase of wealth and dissoluteness, had
supplanted the hardy virtues of the
fathers with feebleness, efeminaoy and
vice; that subjected to the tests which
Providence had imposed on them, we
should fail. Myriads of soldiers graves
throughout the land now tell how I'M
founded were these fears. Never did the
fires of loyalty and patriotism burn more
tiercely upon the affairs of any race than
in the loyal States at the outbreak of the
rebellion. Never were a people called
from SO much ease and safety to SO
much hardship and danger. Never did
they forego the one and embrace the other
with more alacrity. Public peril had not
necessitated an expression or development
of the sterner qualities that characterized
the fathers, but when the necessity came,
the latent energies broke forth with I'M
equaled fury. The very atmos-
phere seemed permeated with patriot
ism. 1t pervaded all classes. No
sacrifice was too great to make. Then,
as another has said, the fond mother with
tears in her eyes and her heart filled with
anguish, yielded to the entreaties
of her noble son and said go. The maiden
told her lover that "none but the brave
deserve the fair" The true-hearted wife
bid adieu to the JOY of her young days,
with never whisper that should unman
him, and prepared to mourn his absence
in silence and alone. Hoary-headed age
gave up without murmur, the sole re-
lance and support of its declining days,
and the home of innocent childhood grew
dark as the light of many a kind faith
er's face went out from their midst.
Again the dead are accounted for in
the effect of their patriotic example.
Their loyalty and patriotism is guaranty
of the permanency of the Republic. They
will be the inspiration of succeeding ages.
AS the example of the fathers reached us
with mighty power from the battle-felds
of the revolution, SO will the example of
those whom we specially hold in proud
and afeotionate memorial pass down to
future ages from the battle-felds of the
rebellion. This solid marble marking the
graves of loved ones gone before, will in
time waste from human view. The rest
ing place of this hallowed dust may be-
come unknown. The material objects of
mans production that now meet the eye,
will pass away and be supplanted. The
purpose of Almighty God in the existence
of the government for which these men
died, will be accomplished, and the law of
birth, life and death of nations, as of in
dividuals, will have had its application to
our beloved Republic. But so long as
history is preserved, so long as the heart
of man is touched and moved by generous
action, by gallent deeds, by noble sacri-
fee, 80 long will the story of our brothers
service and death be told, and their bright
examples inspire to heroic effert. Thus
though dead they live, not here alone
not now only, but throughout the
whole world and for all time, Who
can tell how much their example
has already fastened social and po-
litical revolution among the nations of
the earth. Since they fell the German
races have advanced to higher nation
atty and greater liberty than they
before enjoyed. The yoemen of " Merrie
England" have successfully demanded
concessions from hereditary rulers which
secure well nigh the greatest liberty con-
consistent with monarchical government.
The Spaniard has emerged from the dark
ness of century of servitude to cor
rupt tyranny, and is seeking the healthful
sunlight of freedom. Austria has yielded to
the impulse of liberty, and her Emperor
secures his throne by granting privileges
to his subjects which have ever before
been denied. Cuba, ablaze with revolu-
ton, has defantly unfurled the banner Of
freedom, and said to the oppressor OF ages
the " Queen of the Antilles" shall here
after be the land of the free as she is the
home of the brave. Fair land of g starry
cline and sunny skies" would that our
sympathy could give thee independence.
In Italy, France, Ireland, Russia and
Brazil the spirit of liberty largely prevails
and is rapidly becoming irresistible.
Would these grand results have been
gained had the rebels attempt at disunion
succeeded Revolution in government
throughout the civilized world will be the
legitimate fruit of the success of Re-
publican governm ant in America. Thus
: Al Aal
What an example TO emulate. How for
chile the lesson to US who saw them fall,
that in laying down our arms we did not
terminate our obligations to our country
to continue in the work of preservation in
the quiet walks of civil life. [ doubt
whether our disbanded army fully appre-
oiates it's power and responsibility. It'll
can and should for the remainder of
the century secure sound and correct
decision of all questions affecting the per-
petuity of the Republic. 1t should des-
pise the prevailing cowardice in the ex-
preston of individual opinion, which is
one of our national faults, and rise into
the free atmosphere of independent
thought and action. I like the spirit of
the old Athenian custom of opening all
public meetings with curse upon every
one who should not speak what he really
thought.
And especially should the army keep
alive the spirit of patriotism and loyalty
that sustained it through the four years of
exposure, hardship and danger, in the
camp, the march, the battle, the hospital,
the prison in the agony of defeat in the
hour of death; that created it from the
quietude and charms of civil life; that in
spired it with sublime heroism; that led
it to ultimate victory. The power OF free
government to outride the storms of war
and revolution depends upon the loyalty
and patriotism of its citizens. Strength of
government, great central power, yigor
and ability in the administration, can do
much, but will fail in perilous emergen-
cies without patriotism in the masses
which is essential to continued national
existence and prosperity.
Comrades, let it then be regarded as one
of vour dnties tn rreserva this shirt that