The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1878-08-08
the wise king who illustrated to his quarrel.
TIE STRENGTH OF UNION.

by requesting each to break bundle of rods
bound together. Upon their failure to do
so he showed them how easily single sticl,
out OF the bundle might be broken. The
lesson was simple one, but full of practical
wisdom. Every leaf of ancient history
has Its record of associations for the promo
ton of common object. 1t is to be feared
however, that in the overwhelming majority
OF instances the object has been bad and the
effect pernicious to the general interests, be.
cause the principle OF association, protected
ny the garb OF secrecy was used to further
political purpose. Through the enginery of
this powerful means States have been over
turned and Empires have been built upon
their ruins.
Sad and black as is this confession, how.
ever, it has its colors Of relief in the know
ledge that learning was fostered protected
and perpetuated, by the association of its
devotees, while the various schools of an
clent philosophy represented combinations
OF individuals, who nurtured the increasing
stock Of knowledge for transmission TO the
coming generations. More important than
inns, however, was the agency of ASSOCIATION
IN the growth or tie Christian .vl;, :~-,ord
from the nucleus of the twelve Apostles
there has been multiplied the millions, who
now recognize the divinity of Him who died
upon the cross.
And, fellow-citizens, it is a curious and
instructive circumstance that, through all
the mutations Of time, carrying with them
the destinies of men and nations, there has
come down to our generation, from the
misty darkness of the past, no association
of individuals, the professed object of which
is not the incubation of virtue and the ele-
walton of the standard of moral character.
Secret associations for the furtherancc of
political ambition, or the management of
| the affairs of nations, have melted into thin
| air, and left scarce trace behind.
In magnificent contrast to the schemes of
personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT represented by the
associations just dwelt upon, stand such
traternities as those represented to us by
| the
| EMERALD BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION,
with their objects open as day, and their
| purposes exclusively directed toward the
| elevation Of character, and the practice of
| those virtues which make the whole world
kin. They must be recognized as among
the civilizing agencies of our time, and the
members who compose them are entitled to
the respect, the gratitude and the admira-
ton of their fellow-men. Let it be claimed,
by those who will insist upon making such
claim, that the direct advantages of the
association are only with the members who
compose it, and still it must appear that so.
ciety IN general is bettercd by the example,
and benefited by the practice. Every man
in the community who practices correct liv-
ing; who processes 10 be governed in his
private life by the influences of religious
belief; who presents an example of sobricty;
of honesty in his dealings, and charity and
fellowship in his intercourse with his
noighbors, is good citizen; and upon
the number Of good citizens in a
community rests the general order and
well-being of the community at
large. A vicious population fills the iails
and the penltentiaries and becomes a men
ace to the people in general, while an idle
population fills the almshouscs and public
institutions and becomes a charge upon the
public purse. Therefore, | say that every
effort which proposes to better the charac-
tiers of men; which cultivatcs the principles
Of honor and correct living; which promotes
industry and disturbances idlcncss
which provides for the poor, nurses the sick,
cares for the widow and cduCates the orphan,
is entitled to the profound gratitude OF
every man and woman in the community,
and merits the respect as well as deserves
the protection Of that free government
which such effort is doing so much TO sus-
tain, upon the only safe basis Of an enlight-
ened citizenship,
Your associations, fellow citizens, is OF
this character; and while your efforts in
behalf OF each other are worthy of all
commentator, the benefits you are con.
fcrring upon the general public in furnish
ing an exemplary class of citizens in support
of good government merit the recognition
of all; and for my part congratulate you
upon your good work, and bid you God.
speed in all such valuable contributions to
the public welfare.
To this extent fclow-citzcns, claim q
mutually Of interest with you, as should
every man, whatever be his religious belief
or his political creed, who desires the per.
petuaton of the free and tolerant govern
ment under which we live. But strong as
is such bond of interest between US it is
immeasurably strengthened by those
GREAT FACTS
of our national history, covering the years
from 1861 to 1865, through which every
man, of whatever country he might be
native, who bore arms in defense of the
Union cause earned the right to claim Il
citizenship, founded not simply upou legal
enactment, but upon the broad ground of
title inherng TO n nations defenders upon
the field of battle. This vast country OF
ours is largely composed, as youwell know
of Il population who sought it out as the FL
Dorado Of liberty and equal rights, and asa
refuge for the oppressed OF all nations. The
magnOnimity with which our government
has ever treated It's class of adopted citizens
is evidenced by the laws which have en-
iranchiscd the discnlmnchised Of other
lands, and vested with all the attributes and
privileges Of men those who under other
governments, had the mere scmblOnce OF
right to think and to act for themselves;
and nobly, indeed did this class of our
follow.citizens show their appreciation OF
the priceless boon which their adopted
nationality had conferred on them by
RUSHING TO IT'S DEFENCE
when the day of trial camc-that day which