The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-17
LESSONS OF BATTLE.
Extracts from the Address of Pension Com
missioner Black at Gettysburg Last
Month

missioner Black at gettysburg Last
Month.
In the address delivered by Gen.
John c. Black. of Illinois, on the oc-
casion of the visit of the veterans of
the Army of the Potomac to the
battlefield of Gettysburg the speaker
said:
VETERANS: Our feet are on the
rocky and steadfast monument of OF
gotten commissions. Since the period
when Titanic forces ~upkeaved the
naked crags and spllntered peaks hat
marked the birth throes of this pleas
ant world all the regulated and en-
riching processes of nature have in
their ordered seasons helped to smooth
the rugged front of chaos and mask
the iron face of the primeval world.
Now the fires are all hidden in the
earth's deep breast. The living em-
erald smiles to the bright blue. Hill
and valley yield their riches to the
caressing year. Where boiling tor
rents raved down believing chasms,
now babbling strcamlets and bub bling
springs Stake the thirst and rouse the
vibrant echoes with their silvery
sounds. The elemental struggle has
given place to the eternal peace.
No less majestical than these sur
.oundings are the associations of
Gettysburg. The theater and the play
we're well matched. On these @ IN
fronting heights, and sheltered by
these now silent groves, stretched out
in grim and deadly opposition, the
gathered hosts of kindred yet warning
men. Here, as at Marathon, as at
Gamma, as at Waterloo, destiny
brought two great cause together,
and babe them struggle for the mas
terry of the world. If augbt
was needed to demonstrate the right
If the republic to endure it was afford
ed here. When victory had been won
over such foemen as here challenged
our majesty the world could not offer
reason with sword or pen why we
should not continues; and the nation
will ever remember the genius, though
misguided, the courage unquestiona-
ole, the purpose firm, of the great
leader and his lieutenants who fought
his losing fight.
This struggle was ended; the long
suspense of the three days battle
lone, the union was preserved, the flu
iure assured. Where are the foemen
If that dayP Before the answer, think
again of that event l have family re-
called. Some sleep where near at
aand the white stones dot the green
sxpanse and a nation guards their
sleep, peaceful, quiet, glorious. Some
ar away listen eagerly tor what we
10. For wherever are the men who
shared in this contest, they are all in
hose who wore the blue and of those
who wore the gray, side by side re-
racing in peace the steps that brought
hem face to face with each other by
he red paths of war, marking with ex-
lctness the confused ways of struggle,
md establishing with amity the chron-
cles of contention.
This sight upon which we gaze, this
performance of which we are part, was
lever equalled since the world began;
or it there has been neither type o
model. Courtesies have preceded
,ther contests; the hand of mercy has
,ften staid the sword in its descent,
yut never has civilization witnessed
uch triumph of its noblest tenets or
UGH practice of its sublimest precepts.
This day on Gettysburg is a
greater triumph than that of near
! quarter century ago; that was the
riumph of arms, this is the triumph of
he nobler, wiser nature.
Conspicuous here was and is exhibit
I'd that power which mocks the valor
If the brave and holds of slight
consequence the counsels OF
he wise. Here the great com-
nander assumed control; he set in the
Iplendid batallions of the Army of the
Potomac, not alone all the resources
If defensive war, not alone the levies
If Pennsylvania, not alone the swarm
ng citizens of all the north, but the
Ipirit of the age, the purposes of des-
my, the hopes of humanity! The stars
we're fighting in their courses, and
here was no man in either host so
iull as not to feel and know these
mighty influences. The rising sun of
he 4th of July was to shine on a res
,ued country. That was in the plan
ind purpose of the Almighty. Study
ihe greater situation that lay beyond
he confines of this field. In the west
lad been gathering the union forces.
Advancing with alternate success and
disaster they lay in resolute masses
about the intrenchments of Vicks-
ourg. Into these two widely-suEd-
cred fields had been concentrated all
ihe interest and much of the material
If the war. The soldiery on either
side were American. They had learn
sd American songs and traditions of
;he former days. Washington had led
% victory the sires of both hosts. For
Ill of them had the great Declaration
been penned and the great constitu-
ion been formulated, and now ap-
preached the natal day of the republic
If the fathers.
Gentlemen, the first fury of war and
trife had passed; reflection had be-
run its reviving work; these things
touched and softened the warrior
hearts of the south, they nerved to
,urer purpose the superb array of the
republic. They may mock at these
recitals who will. and call them senti-