Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-07-19
mot for ns a siCnificance sol vial and no


beneficent as this field of Gettsyburg.
But the occasion has yet another profound
interest of association. IL was on Juno 2l
and %, 1883, that the votes OF New Hanlp-
shire and Virginia decided the adoption of
the constitution of the United States. This
year, almost this very day, is its centenary,
aud nowhere in the country could the glori-
Gus anniv ersary be celebrated with such
perfect proprety as upon the field where,
by the majestic decision of forces from
which there is no appeal, the constitution
was decreed TO be an imperishable bond OF
national union and liberty.
IL was as united colonies that on the
'haughty day. OF which tomorrow is the
one hundred and twelfth anniversary, the
American people declared their independ-
ence Of Great Britain. But IL years later
the sentiment Of state independence, n con
dition which, strictly speaking, had never
existed, as the colonies were united Ia the
crown. had become so Jealous that in devils
ing the new constitution much was left
obscure.
In these conditions lay the final causes Of
the civil war. In ono view it was war Of
constitutional vindication, in another OF
constitutional Interpretation. But in any
view il was an inevitable war, II ever such
q phrase may be used. Conflicting convic-
tions, interests, passions, were all SO absO-
lutte, so complicated, so powerful, SO defiant
that however the lover OF peace and OF the
L1llu sway u TCuSOI may utDiolt Vic
edy, it was forecast In the nature of man.
The issue at stake was ostensibly the
nature and vitality OF great political
union.
But when union became identical In the
minds of its defenders with human liberty
and human welfare, then the stars in their
courses, the hopes and prayers or mankind,
fought for the union, and even if the con
fiict had lasted 100 years tho final event OF
the mighty assault upon the union would
have been typified in the last, brave, des-
perate deed upon this field upon this day %
years ago-the steady stern, magnificent
heroic, hopeless charge Of the gallant Pick
EFT.
The sun of Gettysburg rose on the first
day of July and saw the army Of the gray
already advancing in line Of battle the
army of the blue Fastening eagerly forward
and converging TO this point For three
long proud, immortal days il ragged and
swayed, then formidable bolt of war was
forged on yonder wooded hight and launch
ed with whitening blasts and roar of fire
against the foe. IL was living bolt and
sped as If resistless II reached and touch
ed the flaming line of the embattled blue.
1t pierced the line. For one brief moment
in the sharp agony of mortal strife IL held
its own. 1t was the supreme moment Of
the peril OF the union. IL was the heroic
crisis Of the war. But the fiery force was
spent. In one last, wild, tumultuous strug-
Gle brave men dashed headlong against men
as brave, and the next moment that awful
bolt of daring courage was melted in the
fervent heat of an equal valor, and the bat
tie of Gettysburg was fought.
The sun that set on Gettysburg had not
seen, indeed, the end Of the war The army
that withdrew from the field maintained
from that day war of defense, but with a
skill, courage, and persistence, which,
although they could not summon on either
side drawer men than fought at Gettysburg,
called larger armies TO the field and de
manded still greater sacrifice. The actual
issue was long delayed.
In national union of states where fair
elections are assumed, systematic fraud or
violence or suppression of votes in the event
of closely contested poll would inevitably
destroy the conviction that the apparent re-
suit represented the actual will of the legal
voters, and that result would be challenged
amid violent disorder. If there be "A nation
al question, a question which vitality inter
ests every citizen from the Panobscot to the
Rio Grandc. a question which, while Amer
leans are Am"rir ms, will not be set aside,
but must be hOuorably entertained and
periodically adjusted, il is the question Of
a free legal ballot.
The remedy lies in the manly emotion
with which the generous soldier sees only
the sincerity and the courage Of his ancient
foe, and scorns suspicion OF lingering en-
nifty. Ii lies in the perfect freedom Of
speech and perfect fraternity of spirit
which now for three days have glowed in
these hearts and echoed. in this enchanted
air These are the forces that assure the
future of our beloved country.