National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-05-31

the rebellion and the men whose graves we dec.
crate to-day with flowers fell lighting for the Union
.,iOr only III the preservation OF the Union could
liberty be saved.
In the suppression Of the rebellion slavery OK
PRED i'll blood and violence, and instead of being
able TO turn back.the hand of time its extinction
opened way to re.cstablishcd Union COnsecratcd
Htrcsh by blood-tO Union renovated with every
man freeman in It's wide domain--to Union,
rank among the powers of the earth as one OF the
greatest noblcst aud purcst for It's support aud pro-
lection OF the rights OF man.
Great indeed Is the destiny of the American pco.
pie, If they only true to themselves aud to the
grent principles by which the iothcrs were guided.
The day has gone by when men shall talk Of the
blessings of freedom in the presence Of men grOnn-
ing in suffering bOndagc--a second bondage worse
lhon the first Liberty has God for its author. aud,
like God, is no rtSpecer of persons Liberty re-
CARDS manhood, not the color of skin, nud Amerl.
can citizenship excludes none on the same ground.
The suppression of the rebellion settled II was
thought, the question of national supremacy and
gave liberty 10 ull. And If anything was ever
held TO be settled by the war, was that the AMER
can citizen, whatever his color, should be free to
think, free TO write to speak or to labor and earn
wages; to meet aud discuss any topic of interest,
ana to cast his ballot without fear or hindrancc To
elect the man of his choice. But outrHgcs followed
the close of the war and by men who had received
amnesty Was this expected by loyal citizens? II
s ~ KAY hGy ssycI bgs WSE rc so
ported aud under color of denial they have been
perpctratGd with impunity, until now the country
Is startled with their CnOrmity with their persist
cnCc, and with the fraud to which they have given
birth. Instead of the loyalty expected by the
Union soldiers from the late armed enemies of the
Republic the reverse was shown ana II Is evident
now that in many of the rcvOltcd State, the spirit
which caused the rebellion Is cherished with en-
thusiasm; the right of secession Is taught to the
children In the South aud altogether the CJndi.
ton of the people OF that section Is peril and II
menace to the nation.
The restoration to rights which were forfeited
have not led to n united effort to establish peace
aud unity and brUthcrly love. ON the other hand,
the settlement supposed TO have been made by the
TlIE ISSUES OF THE REBELLION
have come to the front, and the whole struggle Is
again inuuguratcd for national supremacy. Even
tho Southern voice, which once sighed for brother
hood las been hushcd, and affairs are not rs they
should be. If brotherhood did prevail, as II should
prevail with citizens OF common cOuntly,lt would
establish reign Of Justice OF mOninCss, OF gcncr-
Gus kindness, of assistance, of honor ana honesty,
of fairness of the golden rule between man ana
man aud until this is brought about there can be
no brotherhood, for the cry OF injustice and outrage
will be heard in the land.
Have these dead soldiers who lie here, and the
hundreds OF thousands OF patriot soldiers VINO
Are I'LL the cost in blood and treasure, all the sac.
riCcS of the war to be regarded rs OF no account?
Is oppression and violence ever to curse part of
the States and cling TO them like pcstiencG? Are
the men who not long since laid down their arms
against the Union to appear as glNdiators Ill the
National Legislature and thrust back the men who
saved the Republic, that they may clutch the
nation by the throatl Are the men who fought TO
destroy the country to wipe out the records OF
the Union and prevent its enemies from taking
advantage of their own crimes? Already there
arc strange sounds in the air..
Already the Earring discold of disloyalty and OF
disoyal pretCntiOn has struck YEARLY upon The
hearts Of men who suffered and dared all things
for the sake of the country, and who never illnChcd
on the battlefield from facing the foe. should we
be surprised them at the alarm felt by the veterans
of the Grand Armies of the Republic at what they
sec and at what they hear? They may well ask,
in view of what has happened and Of what is taxi
ing place
Is this what We fought for?
is this what was anticipated when nearly lNll
million of men laid down their lives that the Re
public might live? What, then, shall we learn
from our assembling here and participating in this
ceremony?
We thank God for the character of the American
citizen, who knowing his duty to the country darCs
TO do it. We're IL not for the great masses Of the
loyal people who have adhered to principle and
who will never swervc. there would be little TO
hope. But they are II living force, supporting the
armies of the Citzens-soldicrs VINO to-day Will re-
new their iealty TO the Government, us they re-
member the deeds of these dead comrades.
And comrades, this is what we feel AS survi-
vOrs of the patriotic dead we each have duty TO
perform. These men loved their country unto
death! What an example; what glorious devotion!
Standing in their presence 1t becomes us to learn
Of thcmto bow in silence before that virtue which
put country before life. And if God spares our
lives, let us live that we may each act well his
part, bear every burden that is imposed upon him,
and stand on the high tower of Liberty Watching,
lest danger should mcnacethe Republic, and ready
to do his utmost for the nations welfare and pro.
lection.