The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-04

thought the troops too slow. '"Tis an awfully
rough road my boy, give them time, give them
timer
THE QUESTIONS OF TODAY.
The great question is settled Other ques-
lions indeed, remain which will sternly try our
patriotism and our wisdom. But they will be
appealed TO the ordeal of battle no longer They
will be settled in those peaceful, popular and
parliamentary contentious which beft patri-
otto and intelligent republican people. do not
mean only that party politics and measures
Will be so discussed. mean that great funda-
mental questions like slavery in the last genera
ton. questions of immigration, of citizenship,
of administrative reform, Of Che Suffrage; qMes,
tons of a local bearing and interest hut of a
national import and consequence, can be- and
hencefOrth will be, discussed everywhere in the
union.
Our population is already more heterogeneous
than that of any other country. Tomorrow IS
the Fourth OF July. IL is our national festival
Yet half the population Of our greatest city
and vast numbers of the people elsewhere, win
have no knowledge Of the sublime significance
OF the day, no kndlinR PRIDE no answering
enthusiasm, as the stars and stripes greet the
suspicious morning. This is fact of profound
Significance. Only the magic power of the lotus
could dull the longing of the Greek heart for
Greece. The soul of the German thrills
everywhere to the music Of his father
land, The Irishman is still the exile of
Erin. The wandering Savoyard hears in his
dreams the Tu7tz deS D0CheS among his native
mountains. The Scotchman, whose land is
merged in a mighty empire, is still true to Scot
land, and wherever he wanders bears in his
yearning memory every Scottish legend, song
and hero. Patriotism feeds upon local tradi-
tious, historic events, and the memories of fam
GUS men. But miscellaneous multitude,
sprung of many nations, without a common
heart to vibrate instinctively TO common mem
cries and associations. would lack that supreme
patriotism which is the moral defense of
nation.
Let us beware, then, how we reckiessly water
our life blood. Webster said at Bunker Hill,
just the vast immigration was beginning
I'VE are placed at the head Of representative
and popular government" We shall be reCre-
ant to the duty Of that headshp If we permit
the fundamental conditions of national repose,
of the security of personal rights, of good laws,
and of just administration, to be imperiled by
the ignorant, lawleSs. idle and dangerous over
flow of all other countries. We are the occu-
pants and guardians of this country and with
a kindly heart and hOspitable hand toward all
the world, we must prescribe the conditions
npon which the world shall come here If
America is TO remain the head of free govern
ments and the hope of liberty in the world, our
first duty is to remember that constitutional
liberty has its own laws and conditions. and
that only by respecting and enforcing them can
liberty for ourselves and for all men be pre-
served.
Fellow citizens, so far as lies in us, shall not
such be the spirit of our political contentionsY
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 cOnsecrated
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 siRnfcance9 Here at last is its sacred
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. It 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 Of spirit which now for three
days have glowed in their hearts, and echoed in
this enchanted air. These are the forces that
assure the future of our beloved country. NAV
they go before us on our mighty march, a pillar
of cloud by day, Of fire by night. Happy
for us, happy for mankind il we and our
children shall comprehend that they are the
fundamental conditions Of the life of the re-
public. Then, long hereafter, when in n coun-
try whose vast population covering the contin-
ent with glory OF civilization which the imag-
nation cannot forecast. the completed century
Of the great battle shall be celebrated the gen
GRAFTON which shall gather here in our PLACES will
rise up and call us blessed. Theu indeed the
ileeting angel of this hour will have yielded his
most precious benediction; and in the field of
Gettysburg, as we now behold it, the blue and
the gray blending in happy harmony. like the
minghng hues OF the summer landscape we
may see the radiant symbol of the triumphant
America of our pride, our hope and our joy.