The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-05-31

wonder. of The civilized world. At first
engaging in war Of self defense, the
government undertook TO repossess its
own property and to maintain its right
FIJI authority in the disputed places; il
was regarded by most persons as little
more than q trial of the strength of
free government For time the battle
wa uncertain, TO many the issue
seemed doubtful, dependency low
ercl over the land, and
gloomy torbodings filled the hearts of
patriots, political intrigue and slashlng
personal ambition, well nigh destroyed
our great army, but amid the reverses in
arms and the wranglng of politicians,
the soldiery never faltered, and in His
own good time God raised up for us the
great military leaders who were equal to
the emergency, and who, having not
political ends to subServc and no selfish
ambitions TO crafty, led our gallent
armies to final victory. Meanwhile the
delays and postpOnement resulting from
the causes referred to, had furnished
time and opportunity tor thought
ful consideration of the question
of an undying conflict. The man who
stood at the helm of State by the choice
OF the people, and who by the constitu-
ton was commander-in. chief Of the ar
my and navy, had declared in 1853, with
scarcely less than prophetic vision, that
this government could not endure perma-
nently half slave and half free. As the
struggle progressed, the truth Of this an
nounccment forced itself upoh the peo-
pie. The men of the South who were
against the authority of the government,
had avowed their purpose to build up n
separate government, with slavery for itS
corner stone.
The IrrcprcssibIe Conflict
between freedom and slavery had
commenced in earnest. Il had
declared a truth which will not
bc controverted or questioned by any
considerable number Of intelligent per-
sons when | assert that the great blight
has been removed from the South by the
abolition OF slavery. 1t requires no
prophet to foretel that sooner the South
must enter upon career Of greater
DGVNIltIllN. I llAl'l kil' lllllhFu'' W ~ Wv
institutions her resources are practically
boundlcss, her rich mineral deposits, her
propitious climate all point Ia futur,
wealth. Free labor must and will de.
vclop these, rs 1t has already done in the
less favored region of the North. The
causes which have operated since the
close of the c!yilwar to rctard the onward
Z "a .h.,ls fka ,,r,annpitN+ ~
the South might be easily traced; but
this is not suitable occasion to discuss
them. These ceremonies are conducted
in no spirit OF boastfu exultation over
the men who fell on the other side, or
their surviving comrades.
Tho Graves Throughout the South
where sleep the thousands who array"d
themselves against the Government tc--
tifv 10 their bravery ana endurance,
shown on many well contested fields. 1t
is impossible to doubt that the masses
among them fought for what they be-
lievcd to be right, and however they
may have been misled by false theories
of government or deluded by the artful
teachings OF cunning and ambitious
leaders, We cannot fail to recognize their
valor or the tenacity and fidelity with
which they adhered to the cause in
which they enlisted so long as the con-
hict continued. Our own great PrcSi-
dent could declare IN the midst Of tho
conflict that it was prosecuted on our part
with malice toward none but with charity
for all How much more ready should
We be to bury the animoslty that belong
to the past and concodO to the men who
fought against Us, the qualities illustra-
ted BY their courage and devotion to tho
cause cspoused by them.
The Two Grand Results Of tho War,
which more than compeusates the coun-
try for all its sad bereavemcntS and vast
expenditure and waste of money and
prosperity are extinction Of slavery and
recognized indissoubility Of our national
union. The time is not far distant when
these will be accepted and admitted as
blessing.
We ask no sacrifice Of conviction, no
humiliation of soldierly pride Thile en-
forcing every principal resulting from
the victory. We may look with indul-
gence If not Indifference on the apologies
and dcfenCes that will certainly, through
all time, be put forth by the descendents
of men who fought On the side of the re-
bellOn, and agree to differ with them on
what is rapidly becoming chronicle of
record and Of theory The history of the
world furnishes examples from which We
NAV learn lessons of VISIONS. In this
respect the past struggles IN our mother
country illustrate what | mean. Hamp-
ton, Cromwell, Falkland, Hyde and
Ormand, have full justice done them by
competent historians, and their virtues
and talents are the common heritage Of
the English people, and the historians of
those times, equally loyal to the British
constitution, whether they take the side
of the cavaliers or cSpouse the cause OF
the Round Heads
The Scottish rebellion in favor of the
House OF Stuart, in tn" last century, is
still more striking illustration of how
men may have totally different and ir-
reconCilable views on historical issues,
and yet be practically and earnestly 10y
nj to the present and future of COM
mon country. As writer of history and
historical romance, Sir Walter Scott was
All intense Jacobitc, and bitter oppo-
nent of the house Of Hanover, yet in
spite of his historical theories he was an
enthusiastic loyalist toward George III,
and George ". Yet | undertake to say
to-day, in no part OF the civilized world
could there be aroused more bitter di--
ru-sions and controversies over the strug-
giles in which the people have been en-
gagged. May we not then look forward
with assured confidence to the time in
the near future when all intelligent men
North and South, will not only accept
the re.uIt of the late conflict, but recog.
nlze the blessings that follow it, and ad-
NIT that any other issue would have