The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-31
MEETING IN THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC.

The Academy OF Music was last night crowded by
ladies and gentlemen anxious to give practica
proof OF their devotion to the principles for which
the Union soldiers died curing the war OF the rebel.
lion. The gathering was under the auspices OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic, who fifty wound ur
the days proceedings IN honoring the dead by re-
Numbering the living. The programme OF the even
ing included music and Rotations in the intervals
between the addresses Of well known orators. The
appearance presented by the Academy was brilliant
in the extreme,
falling from the grand central chandelier rendering
the tasteful toilets of the ladies visible. The fair
sex was largely represented, and the young and
pretty faces beaming among The audience were SUI
cient to caprtvate an army OF copperheads, If any
those present we noticed Generals Jackson. Coch-
rane, Jen Davis, Barnum, Buckney Barnard;
iSpons the Revs. s kendrcs Ryrnei TTap pmn.
son, &C. Mr.. Farmer introduced General Irwin
Mcdowell as the presiding officer. Proceedings were
in excellent style, the quckstep "vlve pAmerlque.' u
General MCDOWELL then came forward and asked
the attention OF the audience to the prayer which
the Rev. Mr.. Kendrlck was about to ofrer.
This reverend gentleman then offered up prayer
for the welfare OF the meeting, and concluded by
asking God to bless our country ana forbid that the
Tag we love so well should ever be
TRAILED IN THE DUST,
and asked that the blessings OF American freedom
should be extended to all the peoples OF the earth.
Mr. EvARr5 then came forward and said :--Ladles
and gentlemen-When your committee few days
ago asked me 10 take part In this celebration In
honor OF the Union dead felt that as an American
could not refuse TO give whatever lay in my
power. In such celebration as this 1t is the
dead that speak, and no words OF living eulogIsts
preach SO eloquenty as the life OF those brave
men whose deeds we come to honor here tonight.
cannot th nix that any words can equal the tribute
OF hover that the nation places on the graves OF
the men who fell IN the cause OF freedom. The war
In which they fell was the war OF an upright
and honorable people fighting for what they
loed and valued more than life itself. We
do not accept the doctrine Of those who say
that. because ours was a civil war the men who
fell IN upneldlng the government should not be hon.
ored for fear Of wounding the susceptibtles OF the
conquered. We only recognize here that the SOL
FIGHTING FOR THE UNION
and the independence of their country. Their
opponents, no matter what their courage
fell fighting In failing cause, and
to pas
are guilty OF encouraging rebellion. We who keep
fresh the memories OF the Union soldiers, In grail
to keep alive bitterness OF feeling against the con-
quered. The soldiers OF the Union fought for
try IN Tca all aa be- wa ana s 10 Ho Sa
the hundreds Of thousands who died are only com.
mon Amerlcans Whatever were the sulrerings-
and they were great enough-the result was more
than equivalent TO the human race.
THE CONQUERED PEOPLE
have not been deprived OF single right possessed
by ourselves, ana all that has really happened is
that this war has swept from our escutcneon
the black stain OF slavery which dishonored
counting ITS losses by hundreds OF thousands OF men
and millions OF money was more attractive after the
war than before. IL was for such result That the
men we honor today died on the battle Held, re-
solved that their children should not be cheated Of
their rights. Our institutions had made us public
Spirited and In the hour OF danger we
gave proof OF II on the field or battle.
Woe to the nation whose public spirit
has been trampled out. But that will come TO
pass with Us so long IA the Grand Army of the Re-
public supports this government TO crush the traitors
who would disturb the country. Through the length
ana breadth of this land we need ansever- growing
and ever
ACTIVE PUBLIC SPIRIT
that Will repress mere party spirit have heard
that one OF the causes OF the defeat OF France
due 10 that the people and soldiers had lost
the desire to die for their country on the field OF
battle. Let us then see 10 1t that 30 long as
we preserve the enthusiasm that leads to
the celebrations OF to-day we shall never fall
to ind an equal number OF heroes ready TO die for
their native land. number OF the orphan children
OF the Union soldiers then came forward the
platform and sang some national songs, and were
loudly applauded by the audience.
The Rev. b. II. TYING, d. D., then came forward ana
aid:--The character OF the present meeting Is COM
memorative. 1t Is an assembly for the grateful
and affectionate
REMEMBRANCE OF THE FAITHFUL
who have departed IN the service OF their country
and OF the honored Survivors who are still living.
" recalls the history aud character Of i've hundred