Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-06
The Remarks of Marcus NJ. Bright aG
Cairo ON Saturday Last.


Mr.. Mayor and Gentlemen Of CIiEo-
After listening to the eloquent and patrf-
otto remarks Of the gentleman, Mr.. Morris,
who has just preceded me, have been re-
quested by DIR. Arlington, the Honorable
Mayor of Jackson, to extend you the heart
felt thanks OF this excursion for this cordial
and welcome reception. BE assured that it
is an occasion which We all appreciate in
the broadest sense OF the term; that II IS an
occasion which meets with a responsive
echo in every cord OF the Southern heart.
We see in IL a magnantty of spirit on the
part OF the Northern people worthy of our
glorious traditions. II teaches us that our
brethren over the Ohio have forgotten the
past, and are now at work filing up the
"blOody chasm" which not long ago seemed
to divide rs as eternaly as the River Jordan
divides the just from the unjust, with the
flowers of oblivion and restored fellowship.
II teaches as that the late civil war which
swept over this happy land for four long,
weary years like an Egyptian plague among
the Isrealites, scattering death and gloom
every peace5ul home and happy cottage,
and nlltng every acre OF the South with
graves, widows and orphans-is 10 be re-
membered only on the pages OF history.
We thank God that the reason of man has
again resumed its sway; we thank God that
the feelings of humanity are again spring
ing Verdant in the American heart. Wash
ingtOn,a mighty landmark in the solitude
Of time, beneath whose shade worlds moul-
der, and around whose summit eternity
plays-is the exclusive inheritance of neith-
er the North, nor SOuth---iS the Joint prop
erty OF the entire American people. His
pronounced and perused with the same
reverence In the classic corridors of Fan
ueil Hall, and beneath the Palmetto shades
OF Carolina. The immortal band at Philadel-
phia who hurled defiance in the teeth OF
oppression and tyranny, and gave birth to
the glorious Declaration of Independence
were drawn together nom the entire thir-
teen colonies indiscriminately by sense
OF common danger and unity OF affection
Hill, Saratoga and Yorktown which matur-
ed the american tree OF Liberty now
grown TO be the mightlest monarch in the
forest OF natons-Were equally fed nom
Southern and Northern arteries. A people
one in origin; one in traditions; one IN he
roes; one IN governments one IN laws, Gus
toms, Language and religion should, must
be-one in love and affection. May Cairo
take the van in this grand march OF recon-
with her merit; may the spot which the
majestic Mississippi and the beautiful Ohio
have chosen TO commemorate their mar
rage vow may the spot Whlch IS the CEN
ter OF the faiTest, happiest and most fertile
country, the sun in his eternal progress
around creation, ever smiled upon-be the
spot selected by man for the erection Of his
statelieSt and most magnificent city. May
this beautiful, growing city take up the
banner OF clNlLi1otiont - sLS las az
taken up the olive branch OF peace-preSs
forward TO the front in the onward progress
of the nineteeth century. and shout back
words Of announcement 10 st. Louis and
Chicago in their endeavors TO reach the
scene of high-wroaght achievement. Typi-
cal OF universal American brOtherhOod-a
I
tory Government laws, language and reli-
gion, but of love and affection; may that
proud bird of plumage-the American Ia
gle-soar from this spot with his storm
daring pinionsn to the sun, battle his crest
in its Promethian IRE; soar onward and up
ward until he perches himself on "untrOd-
den heights, where angels baShful look
then take one OmnipOtent sweep Of vision
over the grand army of worlds as they keep
time TO the music OF Gods magnificent or
gan choir OF Heaven, in their march thrO'
the trackless void Of space, and then grace
fully swell his proportions to size COM
mensurate with his lofty and aspiring na-
ture, so that his right wing may extend to the
lakes of the far on North, on whose crystal
bosom fiOurishing cities are mirrored in IA
dance, like the morning stars when they
first sang the birth of creatiOn-so that his
tail may extend to the far on East, where
the foaming pillows of the storm troubled
Atlantic dash themselves in peices against a
rock bound coast - SO that his LEFT wing
may extend 10 the Southern Gulf, whose
waves lash themselves in fury to the awful
music of equinoctial gales, and so that his
beak may extend TO San FranciscOis bay
glittering like . pearl in old Paeihc's "grey
aud melancholy waste"