Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-13

est differences OF opinion. Perhaps we are still
too near the great events of which this art
formed so conspicuous part to understand it's
deep significance, and to forsee its far-of con-
| sequences. The lesson of history is rarely
learned by the actors themselves, especially
when they read it by the fierce and dusky light
of war, or amid those deeper shadows of those
sorrows which war always brings to both The
unanimous voice of this House in favor of ac-
cepting the gift and the impressive scene
we here witness bear eloquent testimony to
the transcendent import of the event portrayed
on yonder canvas. Let us pause to consider
the actors in that scene. In force, in charac-
ter, in thoroughness and breadth of culture. in
experience of public affairs, and in national
reputation, the cabinet that sat around that
council board has had no superior, perhaps no
equal, in our history. Seward, the finished
scholar, the consummate orator, the great lead
er of the Senate, had come to crown his career
with those achievements which placed him in
the first rank of modern diplomatists. Chase,
with culture and fame Of massive grandeur,
stood as rock and pillar of public credit, the
noble embodiment of public faith. Stanton
was there, a very Titan of strength the great
organizer of war.
He said: ''Without this painting, the same
could not even now be reproduced. The room
has been remodelled. Its furniture is gone,
and death has been sitting in that council,
calling the roll of it's members in quick sue
cessfon. Yesterday he added another name to
his fatal list, and to-day he has left upon earth
but a single witness of the signing of the pro-
and patriotic love the artist accomplished his
work. With patriotic love and reverend faith
the donor presents it to the nation. In the
spirit of both let the united nation
receive it, to cherish it forever.
Mr.. Stephens referred to Lincoln, and said
Every fountain of his heart.was overflow
ing with the milk of human kindness. So
much deeper from my attachment to him was
the pang in my own breast as well as in those
of millions at the manner Of his horrible taking
off. This was the climax of our trouble and
the spring from which came afterwards unnum-
bered woes. As to the great historical event
which this picture commentaries and which
we are here to-day to commemorate, this is a
subject, perhaps, as remarked by my friend
from Ohio, (Mr. Garfield which the people of
this day and generation are not exactly IN con-
dition to weigh rightly and judge correctly.
One thing has been remarked. Emancipation
was not the chief object of Mr.. Lincoln. What
was the chief object! The myth, the idol,
with which his whole soul was concerned, was
the preservation of the Union. If emancipa-
tion of the cOlored race be a boon to that race,
| and Providence has yet to determine that; it
depends much upon themselves if it is, /, rep
resenting the Southern States here, may claim
| in their behalf, that freedom was never con-
summated until the Southern States sanctioned
the thirteenth amendment, which they did,
every one of them and by their own constitu-
encies
can say for myself and for my immediate
circle of acquaintance, for the whole Southern
people, that there is not who would now
change the condition Of things, resubjugate the
cOlOred man, or put him in the condition he
was in before. If there is in all the South
who would desire such change l am not aware
of it,
Men of the North and of the South, of the
East and Of the West, would to-day, on this
| concentrating occasion, say, let us one and
| ALL within our sphere of duty, whether in pub
lie or in private life, see to it that we do not
violate that divine trust committed to us.
| Down South we are doing the best can for
the colored people, hoping earnestly that they
will fit themselves for higher civilization.
The flag no longer floats over provinces, but
over States; no longer over subjects, but over
citizens, white and black. Why can we not
look hopefully to the future? Let harmony
| and peace prevail. Let sectional strife be done
away with, and then there is higher and
grander future for
But if embers of the last most lam table
war are left, and little additional fuel comes
to fan them up again. If the conflict of classes,
the conflict of labor and capital, the conflict of
which we have all got to settle, and the most
difficult one ever committed to the
| consideration of statesmen OR philan-
thropists-shall break out, and these
dangerous elements be again aroused greatly
fear that the recent troubles and disasters
through which we have just passed will prove
to be but the shadow, the penumbra Of deep
er and more dreadful eclipse which will come
upon this continent, blighting and blasting the
brightest and best hopes of mankind.
| u Should that be So then some future bard may
say:
The star of hope shone brightest in the West,
| The star of liberty, the last, the best.
1t, too, has set upou her darkened shore,
| And life, hope and freedom, lift up earth nc
| more.
The Vice President announced that the object
for which the two Houses had convened having
been accomplished, the Senate would retire to
| its own chamber.
The Senate thereupon retired, and the cere
monies closed, and the House adjourned.