The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-08
THE Union CAUSE.


With much pleasure we call attention to a
card from Col. James b. Black, printed else
where, respecting the address delivered by
him as commander of Geo. Fl. Thomas Post,
G.. A. R., and which, as reported, received
some editorial attention from the Journal.
We are pleased to know, as we more than sus-
pected, that the brief statement did not fairly
represent Colonel Blacks words or sentiment;
and so, in what was written, we were careful
to say that Colonial Black was reported" to
have said so and so. The structures of the
Journa, were not aimed at Colonel Black, but
toward the manner of expression, as quoted,
and it is not surprise to know that Colonel
Black is in hearty accord with the Journals
views.
And yet it is fact that many brave soldiers
and able men have fallen into the practice of
talking in loose and thoughtless way, and it
was against that the Journal intended to
protest merely taking the report, as it found
it. as the text for saying what not only
Colonel Black, but every true and honorable
soldier and man in the North heartily re-
spends to. The time has come for everybody
to put away careless forms of speech in speak
ing of the war and it's results. Events are
shaping themselves that it is in
the highest degree important that
there should be a healthful and
correct public sentiment developed and main
tanned, and clear and definite understand
;ro avaruuhara Of What 4bat santinoant 10 II
is happily and well stated in Colonel Blacks
letter, and he speaks, both az soldier and citi-
zen, as one who may well stand as repre-
sentative Of the best type of the soldier
citizen of the North. The gallant men who
bore the brunt of the great struggle in which
the principle of Nationality and the sovereignty
of the Union was fought for and indicated
have a special duty to see to it that there
shall be no comparison created in the public
mind, and that the substance of what was
supposed to be gained shall not be lost or
merged into shadowy nothingness.
Colonel Blacks correction of lapse in the
pen, as to the place where Mr.. Lincoln
uttered the sentiment we used, is proper.
Mr.. Lincoln was in the habit of saying on
almost all occasions what have become classic
and immortal words He had clear concep-
ton of the right of the Union cause, and he
never mystified it or compromised its princi-
pies by any vague expressions or by any
apologetic tone, even in the sympathetic and
pleading words he so often addressed to those
who were spending themselves in fatal error.
It is instructive, and would be valuable in
these days of maudlinism, to re-read the
history of Abraham Lincoln's relations to the
struggle in which he was then chief figure.
From his first inaugural to the last word he
uttered, he never compromised the sacredness
of the cause which demanded the great sacri-
fees of bloody war. It will be we'll to quote
from the Gettysburg speech, and to commend
it to NIL men on this blessed Sabbath day as
good collect to be read, marked, learned
and inwardly digested. Said Mr.. Lincoln,
standing at the graves of the Union dead on
the field of Gettysburg:
1.-The world will little note nor long remem-
Der what we say here; but it can never forget
what they did here. 1t is for us, the living,
rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished
WOIA Which, thcy WIZ 1ouRuI uSTo nave IauS
far so noby advanced. It is rather for us to
be here dedicated to the great task remaing
before us; that from these honored dead we
take increased devotion to the cause for which
they gave the last full measure of devotion;
that we here highly resolve that these dead
shall not have died in vain; that this Nation
under God, shall have a new birth of freedom;
and that government of the people, by the
people and for the people shall not perish
from the earth"
And so say we all.