The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-03-17

bat follow the promptBgs which our
free constitution inspires and acknowi.
edges; the contribution We have received
from the sturdy men of other lands TO
our population and % every element of
our greatness. In this reunion OF yoHr
ancient and honorable society, remind
ing OF such contribution. and where the
value Of American citizenship is fully
Acknowledged. il j. in every way fitting
aud proper that we should mention with
love and with royalty The United
States. have referred 10 the
obvious significance Of these words,
a. they are related 10 great,
prosperous and free nation. But
other nations, too, are great; they are
prosperous and rich, and, in measure,
they are free States may mean any
organized government, tyrranical, mon
archical or free. Ii is, therefore, most
important that we do not miss the re
lection that the United States alone
stand for the one government always
seee ari founded upon human rights
a. uali,v before the law
Continuing. he said "Thc fathers who
forged 20 well the bonds Of our Union,
yielded 10 each other their opinions and
discarded their preiudices in later years
in order that the United States might be
saved as a precious heritage. Lives
were sacrificed and blood was shed on
many a bard-fogght battlefield. We
should not be content with veneratiOn
for those who made us q nation, nor with
the sacred and grateful remembrance of
All those who shed their blood and gave
theif lives for its perpeiuation. We, too,
owe a dUty 10 the United States. We
can, at least teach fraternity and iolera-
tiOD, the sure foundations Of our unity
and OF our country life. If those les
SONS are firmly established in the hearts
of our COuntrymen, we shall to the eX-
tent that we aid in this contamination,
perform the duty required Of Us in our
day and generation Let rs, then, cuiii-
Vate real and genuine generosity and
iraternal kindness among all our people
Let as resolve that no par.isan eXi-
gency shall excuse the creation or keep
ine alive oi irritation and jealousy among
pe0plc all safely lhe development and
The triumph OF American institutions.
our destiny is before us II can only be
reached by union aud harmony. Weare
not called upon to surrender or jeopar-
dizo any results ia favor 81 our Union.
We may have gained in it, armed de-
fence. bui rather 10 foster and secure
these results through the patriotism Of
magnanimity In the presence OF the
duty God has laid upon MS Is a nation, 1t
should never hc forgotten that failure
waits on dissension and division, and
+ that grudging acknowledgment of
q COMMON brotherhood, or hating co
operation in Il patriotic purpose, will
surely check our national progress In
+ this assembly, where so large a represen
taiion Is found Of the race which in all
stages of our national life has done so
much 10 make our country great, and
whose heart at this time turns lovingly
+ 10 their Drctheren who struggle for the
blessings which ale here enjoyed, !
know that reference 10 any element OF
our freedom and happiness will meet
with @ heartfelt response. Here, regard
+ less of place of birth on former allegiance,
We meet as American citizens, proud OF
our country. devoted to her interests
and prosperity, and wishing with en-
I thusiasm for those less favored, the hap
piness. the freedom, the strength, and
ihe peace which are found in The
l United States