Wichita eagle., 1888-07-04

L
ment, and Of no discrimination against
race or color, the regulation of the suf-
frage is wisely left to the states. But the
action OF every state upon subjects OF a
common interest necessarily affects the
union. The suffrage is the handspring,
the heart of our common life, and what
ever affects it injuriously, touches the ma :
tianal censorium and the whole country
thrills. No community politically founded
upon the legal equality of the suffrage can
habituaIly disregard that equality without
moral deterioration, growing indifference
to the authority of law and destruction of
the Republican principle. Ii
ignorance and semi barbarious dominance
be fatal to civilized communities, not less
so is constant and deliberate defiance of
law. In national union of states where
fair elections are assumed, system
attic fraud or violence or suppress
sion of votes, in the event of q
closely CONSISTED poll, would newt
ably destroy the conviction that the appar-
the legal voters, and that result would be
challenged amid violent disorder. 1t is
not enough that national election be
fair, it must be the national conviction
that it is fair.
Fellow citizens, so far as it lies in US,
shall not such be the spirit OF our political
contentious? Can we wrest from the angel
of this hour any blessing so priceless as
the common resolution that we shall not
have come to this censecrated spot only to
declare our joy and gratitude, nor only to
cherish proud and tender memories, but
also to pledge ourselves to union in its sub
FINEST significance: Here at last is its sa-
cred secret revealed. 1t lies in the patriotic
instinct which has brought to this field
the army of northern Virginia and the
army of the Potomac. 1t 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 a
lingering enmity. 1t lies in the perfect
freedom of speech and perfect fraternity
glowed in these hearts and echoed in this
enchanted air. These are the forces that
assure the future of beloved country.
May they go before us on cur mighty
march, pillar of cloud by day, of fire by
night. Happy for US, happy for mankind,
if we and our children shall comprehend
that they are the fundamental
republic. Then. long hereafter
when in country whose vast population
covering the continent with glory of civil
zation which the imagination cannot fore
cast, the completed century OF the great
battle shall be celebrated, the generation
which shall gather here in our places will
rise up and call us blessed. Then, indeed,
the fieeting angel of this hour will have
yielded his most precious benediction; and
in the field OF Gettysburg, as we now be
hold it, the blue and gray blending in
happy harmony. like the mingling hues of
the summer. landscape. we may see the
radiant symbol of the triumphant Amer
lea of our pride, our hope and our Joy.
Tonight banquet was served at the
Springs hotel. No exercises are scheduled
for tomorrow and the day will probably be
quiet as far as the Army of tie Potomacis
concerned. At business meeting of the
department held in the cemetery today it
was decided 10 hold the next summer en-
campment at this place, the time to be de-
termined at the winter session.