Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-27
Ex-UNION COLORED SOLDIERS.
Observance OF the Day by the Or
ganIzatIon.-OratiO

Tie members of the Elk Union Colored
Soldiers Organization, composed of colored
men who had served In the Federal army,
held a meeting at their hall yesterday morn
ing. The proceedings were confined to an
address by Abram Burke, Secretary, on
the Life and Death Of the President"
which was about as follows:
"In obedience to your request, l will ad-
dress you, with the hope of executing a
part of the system OF public mourning
which you have been pleased to adopt, COM
memorative of the death of the most be-
loved parsonage this country has ever pro-
duced, since the late civil war, in the Re-
publican party. While with pious resigna-
ton we submit to the will of an all-gracious
Providence, we can never cease lamenting,
in our finite view of the Omnipotent's wis
dom, the heartrending privation for which
our nation weeps. What limit is there to
the extent of our lossP None within the
reach of my words to express, none
which your feelings will not dissVow.
Our James Abram Garfield is no
more. Oh! that Hope, the comforter
of the wretched, would pour into our ago
MIXING hearts balmy devil But alas, there Is
no hope for usl our Garfield is removed
forever. Possessing the stoutest frame and
purest mind, he had passed to his forty-nine
years in the enjoyment of high health, until
cut down by the bullet fired from the pistol
in the hands of the notorious Guiteau. A
wound inflicted which defied every medical
interposition, and before the morning of
the Goth of September, 1881, put an end to
his life. An end did l saYg His fame sur
wives, bounded only by the limits OF the
earth, and by the extent Of the human
mind, and will be cherished in our hearts and
in the growing knowledge Of our children.
"Will you view him on the historic fields Of
Chickamauga or in the House Of Congresst
He was second to none in the Republican
ranks as possessing a clear and penetrating
mind and sound judgment. The sons and
daughters of America mourn the loss their
country has sustained in the death OF Hon
James A. Garfield, with unanimity which
no other people In any government ever
exhibited for their chief ruler.
"View the city of Savannah. See how
she is wrapped in mourning In honor to the
fallen hero. will say, as l have always,
that there is no people under the canopy OF
heaven that has more sympathy and feeling
for humanity than the white people of Sa-
vannah; aud If Hon. Alex. II. Stephens, of
Georgia, that venerable counsellor, and
humane and Christian gentleman, whose
wisdom, moderation and integrity endear
him to the hearts of his people, had died,
patty than they have shown for our late
President and representative OF the Repub
hcan party.
"What heart is not charmed with the recol-
lection of the pure, wise principles avowed
by him at the commencement OF his admin
istration as the basis Of his political life.
He best understood the indissoluble union
between virtue and happiness, between
duty and advantage, between the genuine
maxims of an honest and magnanimous
policy and the solid rewards of public pros
perity, watching with an equal and compre-
hensive eye over his great nation of the
American people, and closed up every
avenue to strife between the North and the
South.
"Such Is the man America has lostl Such
is the man fOrwhom our nation mournsl Me-
thinks l see his august image and hear
falling from his eloquent lips, Cease, sons
of America, lamentihg our separation. Go
on and confirm your wisdom, union and
peace with all parties and nations. Thus
will YOU give Immortality to that union
which was the constant object of my admin
istration.'
"He is safe into the arms of Jesus. May
God unite the entire people as one, and pro.
mote harmony and peace between all races"
After the address of Secretary Burke, B.
Williams, Of Company A, Twenty-First
Regiment, sang hymn, "Abram Garfield's
body lies moulding in the clay" etc.
On motion of j. Anderson, of Company
A, One Hundred and Third Regiment, It
was resolved that the address of Abraham
Burke be handed over to the MORNING
NEWS with request to publish it. Also that
a copy Of the NEWS be sent to each men,
Der of the late Cabinet.
On motion of j. Williams, of the Thirty
Third Regiment, that vote of thanks Re
returned to the Hon. Robert Lincoln, Sec
rotary of War, for past favors in grant.
ing permission to occupy Fort Pulaski
on the celebration of their reunion.
The meeting was then adjourned.