Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-12-31

Prominent among the speakers at the
dinner of the New England society of
New York city, on Forelathers Day, was
Mr.. Henry w. Grady, editor of the At.
Ianta. Ga. Constitution, and though he
followed such speakers as Gen, Sherman
and Dir. Talmage, his speech was the
speech of the occasion. We copy his
beautiful tribute to Abraham Lincoln,
and his glowing description of the work
and spirit of the New South. He said
THE CAVALIER AND TIE PURITAN.
Pardon me one word, Mr.. President
spoken for the purpose of getting into the
volumes that 90 out annually tleighted
with the rich eloquence of your speakers
the fact that the Cavalier as we'll as the
Puritan was on this continent in its early
DAYS, and that he was up and able to be
about Laughter | have read your
books carefully and find no mention of
that fact, which seems to me important
for preserving a sort of historical equili-
brium.
With the Cavalier once established as a
fact in your charming little looks shall
let him work out his own stratum, rs he
has ALWAYS done with engaging galantry,
and we will hold no controversy as to his
merits. Why should we Neither pur-
tan or Cavalier long survived as such.
The virtues and traditions of both happ-
ly still live for the inspiration of their
sons and the saving of the old fashion
Applause. But both Puritan and Cava-
lier were lost in the storm of their first
revolution, and the American citizen,
supplantlng both and stronger than eth
er took possession of the republic bought
by their common blood and fashioned to
wisdom, and charged himself with teach
ing men government and establishing the
voice of the people as the voice of God
Applause Great types like valuable
plants are slow to flower and fruit. But
from the union OF these cOiOnists, from
the strengthening of their purposes and
the crossing of their blood, slow lperiect-
ing through a century, came he who
stands Hs the first typical American, the
first who Cumprehended within himself
all the strength and Eentleness, all the
majesty and grace of this republican, bra
ham Lincoln. Loud and ong-continued
applause. He was the sum of Puritan
and Cavalier, for in his ardent nature
were fused the virtues of both, ana in the
depths of his great soul the faults of both
were lost. Renewed applause. He was
greater than Puritan greater than Cava-
lier, in that he was American renewed
applause and that in his homely form
were first gathered the vast and thrilling
forces of this ideal gOVernment-Charg
ing it with such tremendous meaning and
so eleVating it above human suffering that
martyrdOm. though UNANIMOUSLY aimed,
came aS Il lifting crown to Il life cOnsecra-
ted from the cradle to human liberty
Loud and prolonged cheering, Let us,
each cherishng his traditions and honor
ing his fathers, build with reverent hands
to the type OF this simple but sublime life,
in which all types are shonOred, and IN the
common glory we shall win rs Americans
there viii be plenty and to snare for your
forrfath4r. and for mine Renewed an
plause.l
AFTER THE WAR.
In speaking to the toast with which you
have hOnOrcd me, accept the term, The
| New South" rs in no sense disparaging
to the old. Dear to me, sir, Is the home
of my childhood ana the traditions of my
| people. There is a new South, not through
protest against the old. but because of
/ new conditions. new adjustments and, if
YOU please. new ideas and aspirations. 1t
Is to this that | address myself. ask you,
gentlemen, 10 picture if you can the foot
sore soldier who buttoning up In his faded
| gray Jacket the parole which was taken,
testimony to his children of his fidelity
and faith, turned his face southwark from
AppomattOX in April, 1865. Think of HIM
as ragged, half starved, heavy hearted, en-
feebled by want and wounds. having
fought to exhaustion, he surrenders his
gun, wrings the hands of his comrades
and lifting his tear stained and palld face
for the last time to the graves that dot the
old Virginia hills, pulls his gray cap oveI
his brow and begins the slow and painful
Journey What does he find-let me ask
you, who went to your homes eager to find
all the welcome you had justly earned
full payment Tor your four years sacrifice
what does he find when he reaches the
home he LETT four Years before He finds
his house in ruins, his farm devastated
his slaves freed, his stock killed, his barn,
empty, his trade destroyed, his money
worthless his social system, feudal IN it,
- IL i
without law or legal status. his comrade,
slain and the burdens of others heavy OF
} his shoulders. Crushed by defeat, hi,
very traditions gone Without money
credit. employment, material or training
p and besides all this, confronted with
the gravest problem that ever met human
/ lhtelllIehceIthe esIapliShlhE OF a STATUS
VI ni'' 81
W. nov .i ''S 10 -, i"i VIZ
.ic"i. VI ~ uoG" ne ~, "V"n !" n"i
IeunGS9 "nH He'P P'd ,t, NV. ~ " 10y
po't III i,t't' u, ~ ,ti,.l ~ III