National Republican., 1883-02-09

still question of doubt the congress OF the United
SiaioS, with sublime ASSURANCE, chartered tht
Union aud Central Pacific ailways-grnntinf
lands then of no earthly value, lOaning credit
inr below par and eXacting terms of doubtful wis
dom. Men arose equal to the occasion, and Just
rs the war with cannon and muskets ceased, the
older war with nature was resumed strong arms
worked with viii and built these roads in fouI
years, thus uniting by links Of steel the Pacific
coast to the Atlantic When on the tenth of May.
1869, heard at the War department in this CITY
the Jingle OF the three bells which told that the
lust spikes had been driven at Promontory point,
which finished the great Pacific railroad, felt
that victory had been gained great as any ever
won in bloody war. peace hath her victories
no less renowned than war;" but when
both forces nrc united the victory becomes
supreme and sublime Since that day three other
trnnscontnental lines have been substantially
finished making possible the settlement of the in
iorvcniug lands by the hardy emigrant, so that
every purt Of this broad land may now contribute
IT; share to the general prosperity, In these
buld with the civilian and were the time snf-
fclent / would quote largely from recent report
by Lieut.. Gen, Sheridan, reciting the many en-
gagements with the hostile Indians, but Will con
tne myself to the concluding part, wherein, after
specifying over four hundred skirmishes, combals,
and bNtles, with loss of over a thousand officers
and men killed and wounded, he says:
"As the railroads overlook the successive lines
of isolated frontier posts and settlements, spread
out over country no longerrequiring military pro-
stcclion the army vacated its temporary shelters,
aud marched on into remote regions beyond them
to repeat and continue its pioneer work. In rear
of the advancing line OF troops the primitive dug
outs and cabins of the frOntiersman were steadily
replaced by the tasteful houses thrifty farms, neat
villages and busy towns of people who know
how best to employ the vast resources OF the great
west The civilization from the Atlantic is now
reaching out toward that rapidly approaching II
from the direction of the Pacific; the long inter-
yening strip of territory extending from the Brit
ish possessions to old Mexico is yearly growing
narrower; finally the dividing lines Will entirely
disappear and the mingling settlements absorb
the remnants of the once powerful Indian nations,
who fifteen years ngO v0inly attempted to forbid
the destined progress of the age"
Thus has our little army been constantly en-
gagged IN war as fruitful III results as any of the
greater ones, with no hope of fame or reward,
scarcely with chance of recognition.
l need not speak to you of the ciyirwar. lis
history is written, and all who now hear me re-
member its details. will venture TO say, how
ever, in this connection that friend and foe alike
now share its glories and fruits. No part of the
union has experienced larger measure of profit
than the section over which we seemingly tri-
umphed. ! believe that nine out Of ten of the
soldiers of the south would to-day rather be mem-
bGrs OF our present glorious union, at pence with
all the world than citizens of southern conted-
eracy with slavery the corner stone, and a con-
stunt war with their neighbors 1 have not the
least desire, here or elsewhere to boast of my
shnte in that war, but l do feel q sense of pride
and satisfaction that we, as people, met the is
sues OF that day like brave men, and carried our
ship through the breakers which for time threat
cned shipwreck; that peace and good order now
reign supreme, and that may lay aside the
armor with which have been clothed with
honor ana safety. AnOtner Will take up the task
where leave of. and our army will move on in
its glorious career to the ultimate destiny which
no man may foresee
thank you, Col. Corkhill, again for this hand
some and most complimentary offering, and to
the gentlemen who are here Tonight need only
say that believe appreciate the kind feelings
you have so often in private circles manifested to
me; as neighbors and friends our relations will
not cease except with life We must admit that
our bodies are growing old, however young our
thoughts, and IL should be n source of pride with
rpnlZn tlQt i'll all the DTDipS. ions md WnlkS
of life into which the human family naturally
divides itself, the young replace the old insensby
by q law of nature better than we could fashion.
The father is replaced by the son on his farm, at
the factory, aud In the shop. The old merchant
and manufacturer tndshe must keep his wits about
him to anticipate his young rivals. SO with the
doctor the lawyer, and in the learned professions
and even more so " ith us in the army, where phys
cal as well asmental vgorls demanded. Each war
of ouc revolution failed in 1872, those of 1912 were
unequal to the Mexican war, ana III the civil war
new men arose out OF absolute obscurity
to take the leadership. So will 1t be in the next
war. But military experience and knowledge
physical strength. and patriotic zeal will in the
future, as IN the past, command success. Have
We now III the Junior ranks of the army men capa.
BILE of organizing and leading grand armies should
the country call for them on short notice, is q
question every American citizen has Il right to
ask, and answer, emphatically, yes There are
this day i'll The army young men the equals Of
Grant, of Sheridan, of Thomas, of Meade, or any
of the great commanders at their time of life, so
far Rs physical aud mental strength go but the
test of war Is fire, and for that we must wait for
the once familiar loaden hail
The occasion is not suitable for me TO say even
this much, but, though my military career is in
its penultmate, cannot help plead TO my coun-
trymen NJ every opportunity TO cherish all that is
manly and noble IN the military profession, be.
cause peace Is cnerVatlng, and no man is wise
enough to foretell when soldiers may be In do
mund again.
thank YOU for your extreme courtesy and at
tentiOn and assure you, one and all, that ii Is
precious legacy for me to feel the respect of such
men US now grace this hospitable board.