Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-06-05
Who bravely fought and victory won.
Honor 70 them ke given

The brightest fairest earth can give;
a grateful tribute while We live.
Honor tothem be given.
Then bring the choicest flowers to-day;
A nations loving tribute pay;
The offerings pure of earthly bloom,
Pointing to the life beyond the tomb.
Honor to them be given,
And let affections tear be shed
In memory of the unknown dead
Whose graves no beautious embems bear,
let angels Keep their vigils there
Honor to them be given.'
Yes, honor, and fame, and gratitude. to the
fallen patriots, and better than honor or fame
or gratitude-unswerving devotion to the cause
hallowed by their blood. There is to-day beat
ing in the National heart newer and nobler
life l look for another day, and that not far
distant of n perfect, free Union. Truth is
mighty, and must triumph Divinity is pledged
to defend II. Far beyond the clouds, beyond
the circle of the heavens, beyond the sun, moon
and stars, sits the sole Givcr of victory, and He
DEGREES triumph TO the people contending for
Truth and Freedom.
The struggle through which we have passed,
will have its effect; yea, is already having its
effect upon the world-especaly affects the
course of liberty in Europe.
To say that our country has exercised a magic
influence upon the destines of the world, is not
q broad assertion. From the first appearance of
this luminary of liberty in the Western horizon
the telescopes of all Europe have watched its
motion, made their observation of right ascen-
ton and declnation, and attempted to compute
its orbit, but as they watched and wondered at
its strange departure from the beaten track of
nations, it assumed continually new brillancy
and beauty, and from a primary, ii attained the
dimensions of a central Sun, Other nations be-
gan to circle about il, follow its lead, and draw
from it the light and heat of their existence
The spirit of universal liberty began to be
felt in the breast of all. The despotsms of the
dark ages began to grow powerless.
Greece, in 1921, initiating the noble example
of America, severed the bonds of slavery and
entered the system. Hungary, by patriotic cf-
fort, sparing neither blood nor treasure dared
brave the vengeance of Austria, to enjoy the
blessings OF free people Russia, with a mag
nanimity that had its reward, loosed the bonds
of her serfs and gave the world millions of free
men. America was the example which all en-
ulated-she the standard to which all aspired.
The seeds of liberty waited from this West
ern world have not fallen upon stony ground;
they are terminating slowly but surely in the
very midst of oppression; and sure rs the
light and heat of the sun infuse life and activity
into seeds and the forest plant will the strug-
gle through which we have passed quicken the
fruits of liberty in the Old World
Go back to the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries and mark the slow improved progress
of society; guided by the erring hand of despo-
tism and tyranny. Trace up through the fol-
lowing centuries the gradual dawn of the sun
of advance and civilization and deny, if you
can, the influence of free people. Mems
minds began to work untrammeled by arbitrary
laws, and thought began to beget thought.
Opinion to react upon opinion-then mark the
change Steam power usurped the place of
muscular effort and clasped the world in bands
of iron. Space and time were annihilated by
the telegraph, and myriads of other inventions
We're added to mans comfort.
Selt-government is the only sure method of
government; and that endency ofthe age is thith-
onward, We may not live to see the day when
it will be proclaimed universal, but it will in
the future, as sure rs there is God in Heaven,
who watches over the destinies of nations.
Progress and change are written legibly on
every thing in the, Universe, and the system of
forty millions, unrivaled in science and inven-
ton, and civilization and religious liberty,
must spread. All power under Heaven cannot
prevent it and we who are young will live to
see greater wonders than any that have gladden.
the eyes of the civilized world
We are living in an age which has not its par
allell in history. Every day brings into exist
ance some new principle. or sweeps away those
speculative idea it is written in the events that
have transpired in the last century. The Unit
ed States of America has been the Canaan to
the overwhelmed, downtrod millions of Eu-
rope. Like the ancient exodus, there has been
n steady stream of emigration thitherward.
This people have become a mighty agent in the
hands of Providence, in effecting the destinies
of the world; My heart is thrilled as contem-
plate what believe will be our nations future
destiny. Purified by adversely, enobled by her
trials, with old prejudices forgotten, with new
powers displayed, with grand virtues developed,
our unity restored, our intelligence advanced.
When the old national anthems shall again be
sung in all parts of our great country, the old
national standard, the common glory of all the
States, then will tho blood of the fallen have
borne its fruits
My faith is ravished with the sight of this
whole land subdued to Christ. l see the be-
ngnant sway Of piety in every field of toll.
hear the Redeemer's praise sung amid the
hum of cities and see men toiling for their
honor far upon the prairies l see the banner
of the cross, and the banner of my country
waving from all our mountain tops and the light
of the Gospel gliding our broad Savannahs.
Advance but one step higher, and you see q
world reclaimed and radiant, the power of sin
broken, and Gods glory covers the whole
earth.
The address was listened to with the pro-
found attention it merited. The choir then
sang Not Forgotten" when the decoration of
the graves took place, the Band discussing pro-
propriate music.
The members ofthe old Sixth Tennessee Reg
iment strewed the grave of their former COM
rade and commander, Lieut.. Col. Edward
Maynard with wreaths and garlands, showing
their affection was undiminished toward one
who during his life endeared himself TO his
friends. and his memory was as fresh in their
hearts as in the days when together they breast
ed the storm of battle.
With the admirable system adopted the
paratively short time and not one was neglect.
ed of the number, and the friends of the dead
in almost every State of the Union can enjoy
the mournful pleasure of knowing that honor