The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-11-07

- - 80 ttafA ~ fAAAHA +ftt.Ha - ~
2iltd who feErei hat iis Fplea.
apr wAs At al elou8e3 ~ some uu-
Necessary v3olcnce who have such
faith 10 The Fepub8ic A. woula have "a.
milted % Be dcspotic hand 70 20 what
tie force 81 restore5 lAw might have
done. and would hare trusted a.
heuceiorih we al know We may trust --
the patriotism II our fellow coabiry-
men. Fegained from tie interrupted
lfeazy Of temporary anger % share The
bouofed memories Of car common an
oestry. and participate 10 the glorious
possibilities Of cor common future with
abiding faith ia their honor and abiding
faith 10 the association.
Bot for al that, would not abAtc
one ios or title Of the true teaching Of
the memorable past nor withdraw one
line from the FOIL measure Of that con-
domination which the issue 81 The ap.
peal 70 arms adludged to The portion o.
rebellion II. Indeed. az we trust, the
che actions If men are under the imme-
date guidance Of Almighty God. and
nations DO but work for His great pur.
poses, then assafedly. this people, who
Tor so many years received the uninter.
rupted iow Of His beueyolence IN un-
exampIed prosperity, may well reeog-
nize His hand 10 the complete aud
finished result which His providence
has commended 70 be warning TO all
after time
There can be no error admitted here.
Ii questions DOR title 10 the dearest
reward we enjoy; it challenges the
rcpose Of our heroic dead it exposes
TO peril all the fruits Of sacrifice and
blood. The triumph Of our armies was
not the work Of chance The mighty
struggle was not game between gi
gantic wrestlers, M which the crown
OF dominion was the prize OF the
stronger. This was no battle Of Greeks
for mere mastery over our fellows. The
significance OF our victory is not that
superiority is with the greater numbers
IN war, II IL not true now, and ii never
has been true History teaches bet.
ter lesson, and even in war we read the
progress Of mankind God will defend
the right
The dearest wish to the heart Of the
old soldier OF America is, that when his
life work is done. be turns his last look
upon the scenes of earth, be may close
his eyes upon the country he has
served, standing secure from every
danger, the dispenser to men Of all the
blessings governments can bestow.
| picture him in fancy, sometimes,
when his age shall have settled npon him
and the labor and toll of manhood shall
have passed. as he waits for the summons
10 go where his comrades have gone be-
fore. see him sit upon the western
porch Of bis ehildren's cottage home,
where tue well-kept vines have clambered
on the lattice, while the sunny afternoon
sinks away. He holds upon his knee the
sweet granddaughter who Is nearest TO
bis heart Translating TO the simple
speech OF childhood, be tells her tales of
younger days when he was a soldier for
his country. How sweelly she listens
with wondering eyesl How proudly she
thinks of the great actions In which her
grandsre had partl How tender the
joy OF that old mans love for the little
beginner Of Iiiel
Bye and bye, the soft warmth of the
summers day inclines him 10 sleep, and
his old frame, once SO strong, Is now
easily wearied. The continued talking
has tired his senses, and his hea | drops
back upon his easy chair She pillows
her face on his breast; and together they
rest in gentle slumber-emblem of
peace reposing In the arms of its savior
and defenderl Lol from the evening
sun ray breaks through between the
trees and falls upon his whitened locks
with touch o: light aud glory. II is the
benediction of heaven on the old soldier
of liberty May ii rest on them all
forever.
After an interlude by the band and
the Ceciian Glee Club, the president
announced that impromptu speeches
were 10 order. Gov. Williams spoke
few words, saying that he hardly knew
what TO say to soldiers and that be was
better calculated TO speak to old set.
tiers or TO men Of agricultural pursuits.
Col. Poe, Cen Gresham and Gen. Bel
KNAPP also spoke. Gen. Harrison then
spoke from seat in the back part Of
the house. He said II thought that
modest men occupying such seats as
l had chosen were privileged to sit and
listen. had been under the impression
that this was a meeting Of the Army Of
the Tennessee. aud / do not see what
night you have to call gu; corporal OF
the Army Of tue Cumberland who is in
undress uniform" Laughter. He
then undertook to tell war story
which he left unfinished on account of
the laughter and applause and calls to
"get on the stage After other
speeches. songs. and recitalions Of
poems aud army incidents, the
entertainment closed with a song by
the Glee Club.
At 40 O'Clock Thursday morning the
society was called 10 order and the
corresponding secretary, Gen. Hicken-
looper read a number Of letters and re-
grets from absent members. The fol-
lowing is from President Hayes
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WAsHiSGr0S.
To Gas. SrOoSEa AND OTHERS
Hg Dear Geaerai--Accept my thanks
for your Kind invitation TO attend the
reunion OF the Society Of The Army OF
the Tennessee My engagements pre-
vent my acceptance wish you a
successful and happy meeting.
Sincerely,