The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-28
Decoration Gems.

Decoration Gems.
 We cut the following from the many addresses on decoration day delivered over the graves on the "union and con- feders.e dead:"
 ROGER A. PRYOR.
 The union is re-established in all it's ancient strength and glory, not only in the supremacy but the beneficence of it's power, not merely over the wills but in the hearts of the people and of all the people. fts privileges and protection are now everywhere restored, and the loyalty of Louisiana can be counted on ss surely as the fidelity of New York. Heneeforth the south Is only geograph. ical expression. And this is a tribute s confederate soldier brings to-day to the graves of tho fallen heroes of the union, the solemn assurance that they fell not in vain that the work they died to achieve you have accomplished; that, ss they, by their devotion, saved the union from overthrow, you, by the policy of justice and magDanimity, have en- shrined it in the hearts of its once furious but now reclaimed and reconciled foes. The people of the north now have no cause to mistrust the profession of fealty to the union that comes from the soldier of the south. Love of the union resumes its original accordance. Hencefsrth the strength and security Of the south are only to be found under the shield of the union. Freedom and facility of access in every part of this vast and opulent land opens to the enterprise of the south s boundless field of adventure and im- parts to it's industrial and commercial energies a quiekening impulse oi develop ment and fruition. Meanwhile an expe- dient devised to balk the ambition of the white race recoils upon it's source and by angmenting the political power of the south enables its aspiring spirits to play a splendid and superior part on the theatre of federal affairs. General Pryor concluded with an eloquent appeal for the perpetuity of the union.
 HENRY wATTERsoN.
 There was an organic question left fatally open by the authors of our con- stitution. There was property interest madly entangled with the moral nature of the time. There was no tribunal having power ts determine the issue. 1t is little perhaps to say that had the people foreseen all the consequences they would not have resorted to arms but recently experience shows us that they would have made supreme sacrifices for the sake of peace. History teaches us that wars are more or less the subject of misconcep,ion and mischance. It is rare, indeed, if ever, when all the right is on one side, and all the wrong on the other. In our case, and take leave to speak for both sides, we have much to deplore, nothing to make us ashamed. Assurediy, the world has never seen terms so liberal extended to soldiers beaten in civil broil, or known such abstinence from sanguinary revenges during the progress ef the strife. It is necessary to remind no one of the conduct of Grant and sherman in the moment of their triumph. The conflicts of this present hour can not shut out from the hearts of greatful men the spectacle of that dis maj day, when, rising above the passions of victory and the ruins of conquest, the chiefs of the armies of the north remem- beIed not merely that they were soldiers and men of honor, but that they were Americans. 1t was eur Lee who paid the honors of war to your Kearny. When the body of Morgan was borne to its last resting place, soldiers of the union, assembled by chance on the public siuare in Nashville, stood soldier like, uncovered as their fallen adversary passed. When McPherson fell thrill of sorrow went along the whole con. federate line. believe to day that the assassination of Abraham Lincoln is lamented in the south hardly less than in the north.
 RICHARD O. soRMAS.
 There lie here, too, some children of the Gael, whose fate it was to be opposed to you, to be for awhile yeuf foes. For them, too, let the flowers of your sym pathy, your compassion, your generous affection be shed. They, too, were your brothers. They, too, were citizens of the republic. They, too, believed that they were ia the right, and that their cause was the cause 0f justice and free dem. Submitted to the stern srbitrs- ment of war, the issue has been decided against them. They met their doom, and there they lie in death. But time Is merciful, it considers circumstances, makes allowance for motives, mitigates the sentence and strips it of dishonor There Is great virtue in time. it heals many wound. dries many A tear, and teaches men the hlessed lesson og forgive ness. Time has queBehed all the fire of sncient anger. The common sense, the nsgnanimity, the instinctive statesman hip of the people have recovered their way, and reconciliation, long delayed, $ now not only virtue, it has become a necessity. The horrid nightmare, the lark fever of strife and struggle, with III their bitter memories have vanished a the returning light of day. and all nen, north, south, east, and vest, have Iwskened Co the consciousness that we Ire all enc in destiny. united in by or in 'ouow, for triumph or defeat 0ne in anguage, in culture, in trsdiihon and structure of law, and that the blsw which strikes one section, enc class, one ace, one city, one village or hamlet ia he lani sends the shock vibrating trough 1t all,
 Take, then, that palmetto tree, and set {, with all reverence, on the confederate oldier's grave. He lived where to grsx. Ie was, doubt not, brave sna laith. ul man, loyal to the cause he loved and which he believed was worthy ~ his ove. May the tree grow and flourish nd spread far its bounteoas shade. And O. rich in it's eievsting, puTisying, and influences. let this day of com.