National Republican., 1880-02-24


various tables busy making change" The
formal opening took place shortly after seven
o'clock, when President Hayes, General Shcr.
man and staff, General George A. Sheridan,
Colonel w. G.. Moore aud number Of honor
ary members Of Company Az gathered upon
the platform. AS soon rs order WAS restored,
General Sheridan was introduced as the orator
OF the evening and spoke us follows:
GENERAL sHERIDAS's ADDRESS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN; Why | have been
asked TO make the opening address upon this
occasion is probably mystery us bewildcrng u
you as II Is inUNp!icube ~ me. There ure In this
goodly city so many men distinguished in the
civic walks of life and so many WHO have won en-.
during fame on fields Of battle, who would count
II u great honor to address you, that wonder what
kindly fortune has allotted me the pleasant privi-
lege now cuJOy.
cannot speak to you Tonight as a great soldier;
that, however, is not my faut-l wanted 10 be one:
but was simply captain In the army. desired
earnestly to he mUOr.gencral. but for some, to
me, unUCCJuutHblC reason, the Government
served did not share my anxiety IN this matter and
Iet me to wotk CUT my destiny III much humber
capacity
/ have always consolcd myself however for my
disappointment by rejecting that the ablest ut Que
Generals woulG have amounted to but little had
they net been supported by great captains | was
great captlin-the greatest by some fifty pounds
iii brgndc OF over 5000 NELL My superior Off.
GERS VIII bear willing witness that | was des-
perute fighter l never rum couldn't While
men Of slighicr mould could easily leave when the
fight was too warm. was cJmpe.lcd 70 stay. Hud
| been blessed with less body and better wind, |
should have been wiling, upon several oCcuSOuS
to have sacrificed part Of my vUlur by Joining my
regiment as II moved rapidly to the rear enyiu.,
the field TO myself and the advancing enemy.
cannot speak to you as great soldier, neither
can address You rs great statesman. There
arc, by the way, so very few To day who could al.
dress you as statesmen that feel little humili,.
tion in making this confession. was once IN
Congress; but being IN Congress does not, with all
due respect TO that august LOdy make a man /,
statesmen. Many ConGru,smca, ! Hin aware. will
differ with me on this point by large majority
II Is good thing for Il man to be III CUil4ress-
good for his constituents. 1t takes him away from
home, and gives his neighbors and friends a rest
from him.
As eau address you neither In the capacity OF n
great soldier nor distinguished statesman, let me
speak TO you simply as tellow-citzcn who is in.
erested IN the success U. the splendid organ zation
known as the Washington Light Infantry Corp.. !"
IN whose Interest and for whose benefit this fair is
10 be inaugurated.
This corps was organized in 1sG6-forty- four years
ago. II has ALWAYS since that dute been proml
nent feature in Washington life Its ranks have
been filed with the best men of this District It's
hand has been stretched cut In kindness, and It's
hospitality literally bestowed upon military Orrnn
cations visiting this city from all parts of our great
country Its superb bearing aud splendid disGip-
line have been the wonder and admiration OF
nearly two generations. It's melnbcrs stand ready
OF all times TO uphold the Government In enforcing
and maintaining the law ofthe land. 1t Is no mere
holiday organization. When, nearly twenty years
ago, the thunder OF hostile cannon in the bay of
Charleston startled the Nation the Corps immcdi.
acly rendered its services TO the Government 10 do.
ftnd the Nations Capu When It's term OF three
months service had expired many Of It's nuinbeIs
joined regiments Of various States and served with
great distinction during the entire war.
The volunteer system Of America is It's most GER
tain safeguard. The policy and traditions OF our
country are against the creation and maintenance
OF large standing army. Here every man is pre-.
pared 10 become soldier when his country dc.
manis. The world has never seen u grauder
spectacle Than the uprising of the North IN 1851.
Our regular army was at that timea mere skeleton,
Ia -, ll I,t
were compelled 10 depend upon volunteers to fill
our army. How grandly the country answered
At the call Of The President the end was filed With
marching columns ana the air alive with
wariiko music. The wonderful army of the
South, almost at moments notice, placed
in the field to dispute empire and supremacy with
the Nor,h, viii forever remain a striking iliustru-
tiOn of the readiness of Americans to Transform
themselves into soldiers at what they deem the
summoned by the respective leaders North and
south could IN such brief time, become veteran
soldiers, whose victories and defeat should shake
continent. For four long years the roar Of their
guns and the tramp OF their grim bnt;NliOns held
the world In doubt as TO whether North or south
would emerge from the clouds of battle crowned
with victory. Both North and South rclie ed almost
exclusively upon the volunteer organizations of
their respective sections iot the grand armies, into
whose Keeping tho great object for which they
fought was placed.
A volunteer soldier Is the shield aud bulfGrk of
our Republic and we do well tO give our couute-
nance aud aid to such organizations rs the one for
we have only words of praise for the regular army
of the Republic we yet feel that it can under our
traditions and policy form only the nucleus OF the
mighty hosts we may be called to place on tile field
of battle The regular soldier makes war Il trade
q life long occupations the volunteer drops for Il
while his usual avOCRtiuns, marches out 10 battle
and when the fight is over, the victory lost or won
resumes his place Us citizen of the republic, TAX
INK up readily aud cNeeriully his work-be Il in
shop upOn the farm, at the bar or In the pulpit
at Inc point he left II when summoned to the field
How uosce'sly the vast armies of the North and
south Disappeared when our long asht was over !
the hills aud valleys Of the North We're dotted all
over with the blue OF returning soldiers. and
the South grew gray with the lcEicns of Ice and
Johnston The soldiers Of each section at once
bent all their energies 10 the task of gathering up
the broken threads of civil occupation and Erepar-
ing to make the eurlh bring forth richer hGryests
than ever yet were garnclOd from tho bosom of
war, Just think Of 1t! Fifteen years have passed
since tho last gun was fired In our great ciyil con
test! The bugies that of old sounded the charge
and the drums that beat TO battle, are now silent
The blades that flashed, and the b0yoncts that
cleaned above our surging columns, no longer
catch he sunlight. The graves Of those who oll
from our side are h0lOWed and the achievements
Of our years Of march, and Siege aud battle, glow
with the light and splcndor with which time
always clothes great deeds. The years In
which we struggled are filled with deathless
memories. out from our past rise the mCes Of
comrades tried ana true, auu Of great commanders
who are sleeping upon the fields where they fell
and resting under skies that looked I'm wonder
down upon their Vaor, Victorious over our enc.
mics we cherish 10 hGtrciS. Recognizing IN them
thc vanished armies in blue hold them as brothers
worthy of confidence, safe from words that wound
and deeds that shame The soldiers of the South
have Dliel their gray uniforms, folded their torn
banners stacked their mu'kets, sheuthei their
bludes and become again citilcns OF the Republic
they sought to overthrow Brave men, true 10 their
pledge the volunteer soldiers OF the South accepted
In good inith the terms accorded them hy the
silent man at ApplmaitoN, nud with uudnunted
courage began the work of TehuOllltAting their
wur-Worn aud dcsOlUtGd land.
To-day. under their hand, we see the South
smiling aud hopeful; anew It's fields are blossom
ing; again song, OF thanks arc heard in the homes
ofthu South, swiftly moves the pluw; quickly the
shuttle speeds to aud iro day by day It's hnrb IFS
welcome back their lost commerce; flowers are
blooming over the graves OF the deadi time with
It's mystic loom ia weaving wuol OF consolation
for the past and of promise for the future GnArity
smoothing the brow of anger sympathy drawing
iutO closer aud kMllier relations the freedmen and
their old time masters poverty being driven from
their rhousehod the uyuu, rpp Of childish laugh
Ter and the sweet. glad song OF the mother III again
the homes of the Land, Wnllu The Holds Org ringing
With the shouts of happy IOilcs.
so country Bat our own could present so fair
picturc $40 soon aler force Uul dcsplaUuy Ciyl
war mud Wc only pr"sGut IL because Of the fact
that our volunteer soldiers, North ami South 50
willingly and Cheerlluy gave up the turmoil ot
Cump and the fierce excitement ul battle, Tor the
Quiet 10y of their hclEhstoucs oal the labors OF
civil lic,
Laiies unlgcutlcmeal trust the fair inansuroted
THIS evening Will Prove the splendid success Il de-.
serves tiiuk ii cannot fail, IN the earnest and
kindly hands of lhusI VII have IL iu charge,