New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-07
GENERAL GARFIELUS SPEECH.

General Garfield was received with the greatest
en- nthusiasm. When the cheers had died away he
spoke as follows:
COMRADES OF THE BOYS BLUE AND FELLOW -ICTIZEss
OF NEW YORK: cannot look upon this great assem-
bage and these old veterans that have marched past
and listen TO the words OF welcome from comrade
who has just spoken without remembering great
thing II Is to live In this Union and be part OF
1t. tApplause.l This is New-York and yonder
toward the Battery more than hundred years ago. a
young student OF Columbia College arguing the
ideas OF the American revolution and American union
againgst the un-American loyalty TO monarchy OF his
college president and professors. Byand-by he went
into the patriot army, placed the staff OF Wash
ngton cheersl to fight the battles of
his country lcheersl, and while in camp. be-
fore he was twcntyone years DID, upon a
drum-head he wrote letter which contained every
germ of the Constitution of the United States. ZAP
plausel That student, soldier, statesman and great
leader Of thought, Alexander Hamilton, OF NewYork,
made this Republic glorious by his thinking and left his
lasting impress upon New York, the foremost State Of
the Union. lApplause.l Aud here this island,
the scene OF his early triumphs, gather tonight
soldiers OF the representing the same ideas Of
union and glory and adding to the column OF the mOnu
ment THAT Hamilton and Washington and the heroes of
the Revolution reared.
Gentlemen, ideas outlve Ideas outlive all
earthly things and you who fought in the War for the
Union fought for immortal ideas, and by their might
you crowned our war with victory. tGreat applause]
But victory WAS worth nothing except for the fruits
that under IT, in it aud above IT, We meet tonight
veterans and comrades TO stand sacred guard around
the truths for which fought. GLoud and prolonged
cheering And while we have life TO meet and grasp
the hand Of comrade will stand by the great truths
OF that [" Good" good" and loud cheers1 And
comrades among tho convictions Of that which have
sunk deep into hearts, there that can
forget Think OF the great eevatng spirit OF the
wal iFgplf Ne the bnVa frO all far
and shops and and schools and homes from all
over the Republic, and they went forth unknown to
fame but returned enrolled the roster OF immortal
heroes Great applause.l They went in the spirit OF
those soldiers OF Henry it Agincour, OF whom he said
Who this day sheds his blood with me-
To-day shall he M brother. We're he ne'er so vile
This day shall gentle his condition.
And It did gentle the condition ana elevate the heart
OF every worthy soldier who fought In 1t appause)
and he shall be brother foreveDore Another thing
we VIII remember; we will remember our allies who |
fought with Soon after the great struggle began
looked behind the army Of white rebels, and saw |
900 900 OF black people condemned to toll slaves
for our enemies; and We found that the hearts |
OF this 100000 were God-inspred with the |
spirit of liberty. and that they were
our friends fApplause.l We have white men be- |
tray the flag and fight to kill the Union but in all that
long, dreary never traitor in a black skin.
tGreat cheers Our prisoners escaping from the star
vatou OF prison. fleeing lines by the light OF the
and ask for bread f"Good, good" "That's so" and
loud cheers. In all that period OF suffering and dan
ger no Union soldier betrayed by
o black woman. tApplause.l And
now that have made them free, so
long rs live will .tsnd by these black allies IRE
ncwed appause.l We Will stand by them until the sun
Of lbery, fixed in the Ornament of Constitution
shall shine with equal ray upon every man, black or
white, throughout the Union. [Cheers.l Now, fellow
citizens ellOwsoders. In this there is all the bene
OF eternal justice and by this will stand for
ever. [Great appause The great poet has said that
N individual life rise Z" On stepping stones
Of dead selves TO higher things" and
the Republic rises the glorious achieve
nents OF It's dead and living heroes to Il higher and
loblcr national lfe lAppausel We must stand guard
,ver past, soldiers, PATRIOTS and our
country common heritage of US ALL [Applausel
thank yOu fellowcitizens, for this magnificent dem
nstraton. In represent In my heart aud life
he great doctrines for which you fought
ccept this demonstration a tribute to my represen-
ative character [Applause In the strength CT your
lands, in the feryor OF your hearts, In the irmness
Il your falth in ali that beOkens greatness
4 manhood and noblenoss of character,
he Republic finds its security and glory. |
Appause.l do not enter upon conroverted questions.
he time the place. the situation forbid IT, respect
he traditions that require speak only of these
hemes which elevate lis ALL Again thank you for the
indness and enthusiasm your greeting Tremendous
heering.l