National Republican., 1878-06-03
WORDS OF TRUTH AND sOpERNEss.

| WORDS OF TRUTH AND SOBERNESS.
On the Both ult., the day set apart
throughout the loyal portion of this nation
for decorating the graves Of tho loyal dead
soldiers, the Hon. FRED. DOUGLASS, of this
city, delivered o mastcrly and appropriate
oration in Union Square, New York, peril
nent to the occasion. We regret that our
space will not permit us to publish the en-
tire effort, but we cannot forego tho satis-
faction Of drawing upon it for o few Of its
points relating to the present''and future of
this great country. The Grafton lis chiefly
devoted to q review of the war, Its causes,
incidents, casualties, and consequences, with
brief review of slavery and freedom, and
the past, present and future prospects of the
colOrcd race, of which the orator Is an hon
orablc and honorcd representative. The
significance of Decoration Day, and its ap-
propriateness Of observance, is eloquently
alluded to and discussed. The closing ar
guments Of the Grafton are so pertinent to
the hour, and are presented with so much
clearncss and force by way of contrast and
comparison, that we take pleasure in copy
ing them as uttered:
In looking back to this tremendous conflict
after.coming generations will find much at
which to marvel. They will marvel that mon
to whom was committed the custody Of the
government, sworn to protect and defend tho
Constitution and the Union of the States, did
not crush this rebellion in its egg; that they
permitted treason to grow up under their very
noses, not only without rebuke or rcpulse, but
rather with approval aid, and confort-vainly
thinking thus to conciliaie the rebels; that
they permitted the resources Of the Union to
be scattered. and its forts and arsenals to be
taken possession of without raising voice or
lifting q finger to prevent tho crime. They
will marvel that the men who with broad
blades and bloody hands, sought to destroy tho
Government were the very men who had been
through all its history the most highly favored
by tho Government. Thoy will marvel at this
rs when child stabs the breast that nursed
it into life. They will marvel still more that,
after the rebellion was suppressed and treason
put down by the loss of nearly 100000 men,
and after putting on the nations neck debt
heavier than mountain of gold, the Govern
mcnt has so soon been virtually captured by
the party which sought its destruction. And
what is the attitude OF this same party to.day2
We all know what 1t was in 1850. Tho al
tentative presented to tho nation then was,
give us the President, or we will plunge tho
country into all tho horrors of a bloody revo-
luton. The position Of that party is the same
to-day as then. The chosen man then was
JOuN G. BRECKINRIDGE, of Kentucky. The
chosen man Of that party to day Is SAMUEL J.
TILDES. The man to be kept out of the
Presidential chair by threat of revolution was
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. The man to be driven
from the Presidential chair by the machinery
of political investigation Is RUTHERFORD b.
HAYES. Now, rs then, tho same rebclliOus
spirit is much disturbed by tho army and navy.
In the first instance 1t was the policy TO scatter
now it Is to starvc. The plotters of mischief
hate the army. 1t is loyal and truo to the Re.
public.
This is not, as have already said, a day for
speech; certainly not for long speeches
Though the portcnts upon our national hOri-
: zon are dark and sinister though somewhat
: reckless disregard of our national obligations
and national credit are shown in the words
!, and votes Of some Of our public men; though
: the temper and manner of the plantation
|, which talk Of honor and responsibility, art
l increasingly manifest in legislative councils ol
the nation though party strife and personal
ambition somewhat distract the public mind
: though efforts are being made tending to en-
| broil capi tai and labor and to antagonize in
: tcrests which it is for the good of each to har'
mOnizc though freedom Of speech and of the
ballot have tor the present fallen before the
9 shot-guns OF the South and the party OF
0 slavery is now in the ascendant, we need bate
, no lot of heart or hope. The American people
will, in any great emergency, be true to them
; selves. The heart Of tho nation Is still SOUND
aud strong, and Us in the past, SO in the future
patriotic millions, WITH able captains to lead
them, will stand as 4 wall Of fire around tho
Republic, and in the end sec Liberty, Equality
Q and Justico triumphant