Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-13
Yorktown, fields Of undying fame, have
not for US a significance so vital and so
no fhia fold o. GedlR burg

Yorktown, neldS or uDuylhg Iame, naVo
not for US a significance so vital and So
beneficent as this field Of Gettsyburg.
But the occasion has yet another profound
interest Of association. IL was on June ri
and 25, l7Ss, that the votes OF New Hamp-
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 anniversary be celebrated with such
perfect propriety as upon the field where.
by the majestic decision Of forces from
which there is no appeal, the constitution
was dccrccd 10 be an imperishable bond or
national union and liberty.
II was as united colonies that on the
"haughty day. OF which 10 morrow Is the
one hundred and twelfth anniversary, the
American people declared their independ
ence of Great Britain. But II years later
the sentiment Of state independence, con
ditiOn which, strictly speaking, had never
existed "a the colonies were united In The
crown, had become so jealous that in devils.
ing the new constitution much was let
obscure
In these conditions Lay the final causes Of
the civil war. ia one view IL was Il war OF
constitutional vindication, in another OF
constitutional Interpretation. But IN any
view il was an inevitable war, If eyer such
"A phrase may be used. Conflicting cunvic-
tons, interests passions, were al 80 aD5O
Lutte, 50 complicated, so powerful 80 defiant,
1
mild sway of reason may dcplorc the trag
edy, il was forecast in the nature Of man.
The issue at stake was osten ,bly 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 ana prayers Of mankind,
fought for the union, and even if the con
tiict had lasted 100 years the final event of
the mighty assault upon the union would
have been typitied iu the last, brave, dcS-
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 Ill line OF battle; the
army Of the blue Fastening eagerly forward
and converging 10 this point. For three
long, proud, immortal days IL ragged ana
swayed, then a formidable bolt OF war was
forged on yOnder wooded hight and launch
ed with whitening blasts and ronr OF ire
against the foe. IL was a living bot ana
sped as If resistless. IL reached and touch
cd the flaming line Of the embattlcG blue
II piercedthe line For one brief moment
in the sharp agony Of mortal strife u held
its own. IL was tie supreme moment of
the peril of the union. ~ was the heroic
crisis Of the war. But the fiery force was
spent. In one last wild, tumultuous s'rus-
gle brave men dashed heddiOng against men
as brave. and the next moment that awful
bolt Of daring courage was melted in be
ferveut heat OF an equal vaior, and me bat
tie of Gettysburg was fought
The sun that set on Getty burg had no.
seen, indeed, the end Of the war. The army
that withdrew from the fed maintained
from that day war Of defense, but with a
skill, a courage, and "a persistence, which
although they could not summon on either
side Drawer men than fought at Getty burg
called larger armies TO the field and de
mandcd still greater sacrifice The actual
issue was long delayed.
In national union If states where fai-
elections are assumed, systematic fraud or
violence or suppression OF votes in the event
Of q 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 II there be "A nation
al question, a question which vitality iut"r-
ests every citizen from the PenOb>cot 20 the
Rio Grande, u question which, while Amer
leans are Americans win not Toe -et sid
but must be hOnorAblY entertained ALL
periodically adjusted, IL Is the quc-'lll u
"A free legal ballot
The remedy lies IN Che manly emotion
with which the generous soldier SECS only
the sincerity and the courage of Ia 49,. .cut
foe, and scorns suspicion of a liu-e ing en-
nifty. IL lies "a La" perfect IT. tpu of
speech and pcrf,C. fraternity nt -n,rit
which now for three days have guv"t iu
these hearts and echoed IN THIS car,lIted
air. These are the forces that assure t4e
future of our beloved country.