The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-09-14
NATIONAL REUNION.

speech ~ President Hayes at the Reunion
| 90 es.rpa.rai aud ex-Confcderate sol
aies-, az Marietta, ohio.
| llpita. rpiiow-uiriRrNa, AND SURVIVORS on
rvs uasAf WAN twish that l was prepared
~ speak suitably upon this occasion. My
nienJ. Ma,or Palmer. In his address, informs
me that Ia every speech mado at this great
national reunion encouragement has been
given a. that spirit Of fraternity which II Is the
ioaire 1T those associated with mo In the adj
minisiration 10 do something during our term
of service 10 advance. We do not, in meeting
the people, propose 10 discuss any OF the great
party questions which divide the people who
honor us with their attention. Questions OF
administration, economic questions, we leave
these TO be discussed before the people by those
who may be appointed by the respective par
ties TO carry on these debates but we do feel
that, in visiting our fellow-citizens in the diff
ferent States, we can strengthen the sentiment
alluded to by the Mayor. II il right and proper
we should do it. All who are familiar with the
history of our country know that hundred
years ago there was no North nor South The
fathers were one throughout the whole coun-
try. Washington and jefferson were side by
side with Franklin and Adams. Daniel Nor
gan and his Virginians marched from Virginia
to Boston they were at Saratoga, and Nathan
iel Green and his Continentals were in the
Carolinas. The whole country belonged to
the fathers. 1t is that state OF harmony,
of fraternal friendship, that we desire our
country 10 return to. We are for the Union as
it is We are for the constitution as it is, with
all its amendments. We want the citizens Of
every State to feel nj home in every State. II
a citizen of Vermont travel to Georgia or Texas
on business or pleasure, we want him to feel at
home in those States. III citizen OF Texas or
Georgia travels North we want that citizen TO
feel at home everywhere throughout the
Union. mo-
Now. my friends, do not propose to detain
YOU. have made much longer speech than
/ intended when entered your town, but you
understand the purpose. We may make mis-
takes in method, mistakes in measures, but the
sentiment we would encourage is a sentiment
of nationality throughout the Union. We all
regard the service of that four years war-we
regard that period of four years as the most in
teresting of our lives. We fought then, those
of us who were in the Union army, fought as
we believed TO make this forever hereafter
united people, forever hereafter free people;
and we rejoice to-day to believe that those who
were against us in that struggle now are with
us on both of these questions, and will forever
remain with the Union.
And now, my friends, you will desire to hear
from those who are associated with me in the
Government. Two members of the Cabinet
are here the Postmaster General, Judge Key,
of Tennessee and Gen. Devens, Attorney Gen
eral. They fought on opposite sides during
those four years, but to-day here they are
prepared to fight, if need be, on the same side.
And now will introduce to you Judge Key. l
am sure he Is an able man. l am sure he is an
honest man. 1 am sure he is patriotic man.