National Republican., 1876-01-27
A CkNTERNIAL SERMON.

Among the SpeecneS tnat were made lust
before the Centennial bill was passed, by a
meagre majority, the one delivered by Mr..
Robbins, of North Carolina, excited un-
usual attention and feeling on account of
the patriotic glow of the sentiments uttered.
OF six sons who entered the Confederate
army, Mr.. Robbins is one OF the two who
survived the shock Of arms. The other
four, as he states in the most thrilling elo-
quence, are sleeping in their bloody blan-
kets at Antietam, Charlottesville, on the
Chickahominy and in Kentucky. And of
the two survivors he stands in Congress to
say that he has had enough of war and
wants peace, lasting and universal con-
cord. We quote from this thrilling ad-
dress, not for the purpose of finding any
fault with the sentiments uttered, which
do honor to his heart. but as this may be
considered a representative of the peace
speeches made by Southern members at
this time, it is fair to analyze it in the light
of reason as well as of peace.
Even while the burning sentiments were
being uttered by the eloquent speaker it
came to mind that IN his own State and in
the principal city, Wilmington, as late as last
winter, we heard Of an attempt to deprive
the great majority Of that city of any voice
in the government Of 1t. BY most out
rageous and tyrannical act the State Legis-
lature, an attempt was made to so divide
the city as TO practically throw out the
colored vote. Mr.. Robbins, If we mistake
not, was one of those who supported the
high-handed measure, and, though it is not
our purpose 10 hold him responsible for it,
at this time, yet in this connection it is a
sad discord in the harmony of his song of
peace. But the sentiments TO which he
gave such fine utterance have been echoed
by many, very many from the South.
Good will, fraternity, brotherly affection,
universal amity and good feeling have been
the theme of all who turned, as he has
turned, towards the light. We will not
quarrel with these sentiments. Happily,
they are now and have long been the uni
versal expression of the North. There is
not even occasion to repeat them there, for
as far as fraternal affection and good will
toward the South is concerned, it is so uni
versal, so unquestioned, and so sincere that
he who repeats it subjects himself to be
thought trimmer" for popularity or for
a purpose. 1t may be new discovery to
the South, but in the North and West all
reTeBgeful feelings were buried with the
dead, and have given place to the softened
emotions of SORROW and of hope. But with
those from the Southern section of q re-
united country perhaps it is different. I'm.
doubtedly many Southern men come here
uninformed of these facts. There is still
existing IN a degree the old time misunder.
standing, almost willful misunderstand-
ing, of the generous and noble spirit of the
Northern people. We are panied that the
South should mIsapprehend it, but they
always have, and TO certain extent do so
now.
Coming back TO the National Capital
after years of voluntary exile, many South
ern men feel degree of seriousness in the
mere act Of coming to which we are
strangers, or which we have forgotten II
we ever knew it. Years of peace and
growth have interyened with us, but their
repentance is new and fresh. The mere
fact of coming to the grand Capital of the
nation and looking upon the dear old flag,
with its golden stars of hope, that floats
serenely from its dome, thrills them with
the pride and glory of patriotism. We
honor the emotions that are awakened in
them. They are not new to u.s. 1t would
perhaps be ungcnerous to say that we have