Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-05-28

~O~"o W respect. Int
the Executive Mansion it crept, ane
guided the pen of the nations chic
magistrate in signing the Annexation
Bill OF Texas to give more territor,
for the growth of this child Of He'll
and thus involved our country in ,
shameful war with a weaker siste,
republic. 1t paralyzed that institu
ton which''s the nations safeguard
our public and free school system
by denying the poor whites and un
fortunate blacks of the South the on
portunity Of an education.
Nor did it stop here. Emboldeuec
by its success elsewhere it enters with.
in the sacred precincts of Gods hol,
temple, and there, before the YER,
altar OF communion, it raised its bias.
phemous voice and claimed it's life b,
Divine right; and the struggle which
ensued rent the church of Chris,
asunder!
And was the God of Justice in.
different to all this? Was Jehovah
who heard the cry of bondage that
went up from the Hebrew slaves in
Egypt, aud in answer raised up a
Moses to deliver them, not to hear
the cry of this poor and despised peo-
pie? Nay, verify; the cup of His
wrath was full! And when that fatal
shot was fred at Fort Sumter on the
old flag. the knell of slavery was
rung, and Its echo reverberated
through the world; and when Father
Abraham made his call it was respond
ed to by hundred thousand noble
patriots. This national sin could
only be atoned for by the costliest
price, namely: The blood of our best
people. And our rivers became Grim.
son with this costly sacrifice.
But, mistake US not. 1t is not our
purpose to say one unkind word
against our brothers who wore the
Gray, for the common soldiers at
least fought and died with the homes.
(but mistakenly conviction that they
defended their homes.
"No more shall the war-cry sever!!"
for now We are again one united and
happy people banded together by
bands stronger than steel. "Behold
how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity!"
The man of iron will and mighty
brain who led you and your comrades
through hundred battles to victory.
and whose terms to the enemy were
unconditional surrender" when ex.
allied 10 the high position of chief
did more than any other
one citizen to unite the hearts of all.
If in the minds of any there fingered
a fear or doubt about the clemency
of President Grant, it was soon dis.
PEELED by the honest and earnest ef-
forts he put forth to reconstruct the
Union-so soon, indeed, that many
" hoe wisdom proved that they were
wrong, and the Soldier President
right, doubted the oxpediency of the
PLAN.
Veterans, I ask you who yetsurvive,
if the price paid was too great? No!
for Heavens smile has since rested
upon US, for it is faithfully recorded in
the Word-"Righteousness exalteth a
nation, but sin is reoroach to anv
people," And yet there are perils
and dangers that wear serious as
pect. This land you redeemed has
become the refuge for all; and many |
who come to US mistake liberty for
|icense,-license to traduce our
most sacred institutions and customs,
and bring in their lawlcssness and
seek to throw off those healthful aud
proper restraints. Let US tell the m
we seek no such change. "In God
we trust" is not only stamped upon
our coins, but upon the tablets of our
hearts. AS long as we continue to
obey his laws and honor his day, we
may hope to prosper.
Your ranks are steadily thinned by
1ealhs. Thousands of new graves
his year have been filled with your
former comrades in arms. When the
lex. Menoria! service slall be held
you may lie missing. BE thou ready,
my brother, when the summons Shall
come to call you from the battle. scenes
and strifes of earth to the realms of