The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-19
THE LOYAL LEGION.
Speech of Ex-President Hayes in Closing the
Chicago Congress.

CHICAGO, April 1S-Immediate1y before the
adjournment of the congress of the Loyal Lee
gion here, last night, ex-President Hayes closed
the session with the following remarks:
Companions: This will close the business of
the congress. am greatly obliged to the rep
resentatives Of the various Communicates
for their kindness and charity toward
me during the performance of unfamiliar
duties. / trust that the acquaintance now
made and the fraternal regard which may date
back to the meeting Of this congress are to con-
tinue as long as shall live. 1 feel pleasure
that all who shall be made acquainted with the
facts will be satisfied that there has been among
us degree of harmony of good temper, and of
fairly good judgment in our action, which is en-
tirely worthy of the order to which we belong. /
trust it will be discovered that this is
the true work of our order, and to be worthy of
this order is certainly the highest possible
praise; for we believe, we begin to feel sure,
that the order that was established in 1865, on
the 18th day of April, in the midst of the deep
order that was then established is to be en-
tirely worthy of the good cause in
which it had its origin [applauseE
cause which may be said to be and was said of
the revolutionary war by Emerson the sublim-
est cause, the best cause, the divinest cause for
which men ever went to war, [applause]
cause which we ourselves did not appreciate
when we were engaged in the great conflict
For this is certainly true of this war, that it
stands alone in the wars of all history as
the one that accomplished completely and
exactly, what the friends of the right sought in
that way. and completed the work while they
were living. 1t established the Union; it main
tanned the supremacy of the general govern
ment; it abolished slavery. This was all that
we then thought of. But it can be said, further,
that IT wars are to be judged by their results, it
was the greatest war in all history
Judged by. its results, we may
say that these results have transcribed
UNNECESSARILY the most sanguine expectations
of any man that waged it or that took part in it.
1t is our good fortune to have risked our lives
during those years in that war; they then were
our golden days; those four years are the best
four years of our lives. The inheritance which
that service enables US to leave to those be-
hind us is an inheritance greater than
the best success in accommodating wealth
1t is the highest qualification of ambition
for civil honors that is possible Think of the
war and its results. The vanquished now admit
that in every form they have gained by this war
more than it can be shown that the victorious in
any other war ever gained in any sim
liar strife, and they now, with US,
are ready to stand guard around
the couch : and at the home of the
man by whom they were beaten at Vicksburg
at Mission Ridge, at Donelson, at Richmond
and at Appomattox and to say with us, God
bless Grant, [Applause.] But, companions I
am constrained to too much talk, | trust you
will have pleasant, safe and agreeable journeys
home, and that you will find your families have
all been under the care of the divine providence
that has charge of the interests of all lives and
the fortunes of individuals and Of nations