The Portland daily press., 1874-06-01

phase oi splrIC, every custom and institution
the good 1T works is Of the highest axceiienoo
and of the broadest and most extended oan1n.
| ton. 1t serves not only to confirm the arenr,
| lar of self-government, but includes buman;tv :
tits encouraging influence.
The world is full of the memories of foul
wrongs, old and recent:-the expressions Of
rulers arrogating sovereignty by divine right
| yet Ignoring the divine Will; nations led tC
| slaughter to subserve schemes of vengeance OF
| aggrandizement; stern repressions OF endeavors
to ameliorate the condition of humankind
countless '1nhumanites to man, the page ol
history is dark with their record. Greet we
| then with glad welcome and impressive acclaim
| every successful effort to compass noble ends,
| every vlndlcatIon OF mans dignity as man
whatever dawn-streaks promise the breaking
| OF a great light over the whole EARTH
IL IS subject of exultaton and deepest graft
tude 10 us, that in our own day and country
| there has been given to the world copspicu-
Gus exh bltlon of great virtues right conduct,
and the triumph of just cause.
Al, Eacn recurrence OF this day sanctions anew
and enhances the benefits of their plorons
event, stimulates our vigilance and gives heart
to them who watch and wait in other and less
fortunate lands, to hope on and work on
These dead rest peacefully without our cere
monious remembrance. But the Republic has
need for every day uses and for ife's sake, of
the inspiration their memory breathes-of the
example of a faithfulness such rs was their
enduring to the last full measure of devotion
All the foregone days of virtue work their
health into this" says Emerson. .oes ~
POwerless are those arms that once upheld
the banner OF the free! Vanished from their
earthly countenances is the light of high pur-
pose and stout resolve that sbons out as thew
set their faces to the 'front.' and amid the glare
of battlei MotoBless are the hearts that SWELL
ed With love for their country. and indignation
against those who would do her wrong! But
the spirit that impelled them along the path
rnrts sf,,h hIn- 9.,n n
live their wonted fires" Their ardor will burn
its way to other hearts, ..E'ai .sI.4.. 3 d
Dearer forevermore is the land redeemed with
the blood of our brave! Brighter and more
beautiful is the flag that waved them on to vic
toryl Thrice higher valued is the govern
ment that called forth such estimation of ts
worth! n eiiA p" nfta'G fa a..I EHlU0 d =
The fathers of the Republic declared that
they were stricken with awe at the opportuni
ty afforded, and the duty devolving upon them
OF framing. system of government for three
millions of people. The feeling with which
the loyal people of this generation saw them
selves confronted with the dreful alternative of
the destruction of that government or war with
their own countrymen, was allied to that be-
wilderment which fell upon the band who
stood silent. upon a peak in Darien," and
stared at new ocean. I'D.
The three millions had become thrice ten
millions. The untried theory of government
had proved to afford sure protection against
anarchy on the one hand, and on the other, to
impose no restraint on freedom 1t secured
life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. o'
The men of the North and South had stood
shoulder to shoulder under the national flag,
and borne it over victorious field
Cooperation in common interests, CONNER
cial and social intercourse, and compliance with
the established uses of the supreme govern
ment, had ratified and strengthened the orgi-
nal compact so that the many were in truth one
"a country existed which the great mass OF the
Anna IL 1o1I = 49, n
pride. So assured did they regard the national
unity that the threatened disruption seemed
hardly more credible or possible than the reyer-
sal OF law of nature. So endeared was it
that they waged war in its defence-a terrible,
yet glorious wari The great patriot and SEN
ator who but the other day was borne to the
grave amid the heartfelt Borrowings of his
countrymen to whose service lis life
had been devoted, in one of the orations that
remain to bear witness to the greatness of his
mad yerts upon war, and asks 'If success be
obtained by force, where is the glory? ''lf by
chance, where is the glory"
Before the horrors of scores of battle-f fields
and countless cruel incidents of war that dwell
in the memory of this people, the eloquence of
even Sumner sinks into insignificance as ar
gument against the hatefulness of war. Who
that has seen a host of gallant spirits sweep
ing through verdurous fields under the
smiling heavens, and invoking the thun-
their ranks and prepared anguish for thou
sands of happy homes, but has for the
moment shudderngly felt in the depths of
his soul that reason had fled to british beasts,
and has almost feared to see the sky blaeken
and the green grass wither at such dissertation
of the fair earth, and of mans nobler nature?
Unspeakably blest will be that era when wis
dom and forbearance shall temper the counsels
of nations and communities, and order that
all their ways curve round the corufield and
the vine," and that the sanctity of human life
be held inviolable. Already the warriors ex-
celence, considered without regard for what
lies behind, is outwearng its old time lustre
Mere success in arms in the estimation of the
growing spirit of humanity of these later days,
does obtain the fellowship of glory. There
fore Sumner does not put the real question
affecting the gloriousness or righteousness of
wars Not in success, but in motive, lies the
glory. The light of great actions for worthy
ends is the glory that commands our admra-
tion. 1t is in the sense of this definition that
the war for the Union was glorious one, in
motive, condnct and results. In motive, be-
cause it was accepted as the sole means left for
the defence of what Americans believe to be
their most precious brthright and inheritance
1t was not undertaken at the suggestion of pol
icy, revenge, or national vanity; but because it
was the invincbe instinct and conviction of
the adherents of the national cause that they
had a country; and that upon its preservation
depended the power and consideration they had
enjoyed through it, and also the avoidance of
host OF ills affecting the stability of society,
their property, homes and lives, which would
swarm destructively when once the process of
disintegration had been suffered to begin.
The war was thrust upon them as necessi-
ty. No concession was asked of them de-
sired. The only alternative was submission
which the most ultra non resistance could hard
lyterm other than an abandonment of the right
and duty of self preservation.
Idealist and philosopher may speculate upon
the consequences that would have ensued had
the erring sisters been permitted to depart in
peace; the American people are content to
have obeyed that instinct which is the first law
of nature, inestimable as the cost of victory has
nbee. Every man of the Northern host that
rose in arms felt a keen sense of personal
wrong in the injury to his country and the in
suit to the flag that is the symbol of its free
dom and grandeur; but the sole object before
them was the maintenance OF the Union. Re-
gard for the truth of history should not permit
the freeing of the enslaved race to be ranked
as an inspiring motive of the conflict Al
though there were undoubtedly many who ex-
ulted p the hope that the way was thus open
ed to that accomplishment. and The rejoicing
was well nigh universal when that result was
wrought out by the course of events, the people
at large would have waited with patient for
bearance for peaceful means of abating the dis
turbing and disbonoriug wrong. The noble
consequence is a conspicuous illustration of the
unforeseen blessings that flow in upon the con-
scientious performance OF duty. N'
1t cannot, however, be Denied Whether IL ne
counted virtue or the reverse, that resentment
of singing taunts and imputations of mean
spirit, and a strong desire to prove the quality
Of their assaed manhood gave to the Union
soldier a sterner purpose, and firmer clutch
of sword and musket.
No lingering trace of that resentment now
remains. 1t has disappeared with the honest
withdrawal of the accusations that provoked 1t.
The late foemen who so long faced each other
angrily and closed in so many deadly grappe,
now unite in owning n brotherhood of courage
The mutual respect born amid the thunders of
hundred battefields is not least among the
forces now effecting the regeneration of the
Republic. e7..,r, ,..4t4t...-
Admirable were the spirit and energy dis
played by the people and their army and navy
in the prosecution of the war. In the readi-
ness with which pen by hundreds of thousands
and money in millions, were supplied at the
call of the government, in the patience with
which on the whole, they bore the annoyance
| of naction despite a chatting induced by their
| eagerness 10 see the end of the terrible strife,
| and in the firmness of their resolution which
| but gathered strength from each reverse or in
| decisive victory upon which they had built
| their hopes, the people gave forcible evidence
of their virtues and of the efficiency OF republl-
| can institutions.
| Nor did their zeal rest satisfied with per-
| functory fufillment of the demands of the au
thoritIes; it sought independent agencies fol
| supplementing the work of the government
| contriving and supporting Samaritan assocla
1 L., Of In RIul