Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-08-28

that precious covenant with Free
dom, wherein lies the essence of our
national life and purpose. 1t is not
an empty purpose of self, or the
vain glorying Of wars recollection
that brings us together. These are
Passover days, and we sing the song
of our mighty deliverance, in the
living hope that the music shall lin
ger forever in the hearts of our
children.
"War is a terrible reality, yet it
has always proved wonderful de-
veloper of national character. Peace
hath it's corrupting influences no
less than war. The spirit of sacri-
fee dies out, the sordid pursuit of
gain absorbs both day and night
and we come to measure God, man
and country by the 'guinea's stamp.
When the war of the rebellion
broke like cloud-burst on our
sweet dream of piping peace, it
found us asking the cowardly ques-
ton: How will this affect our bus.
iness?' In four eventful years a
grand TRANSPORTATION of national
character took place. We became
nation of soldiers, ready, without
question, for any sacrifice in de.
tense of the ark of the covenant.
We made solemn compact with the
whole world, that American institu-
tons should mot perish from the
face of the earth,' but live forever
the hope of mankind. Here broad.
ems out the illimitable horizon of
duty that surrounds the old soldier.
Why does he wear the blue? Why
does he travel across the continent
to kindle afresh the fires of Liberty
and Patriotism? What was and is
and will be the purpose of his be-
ing till his last expiring breath ?
Did the old soldier fight for an alb
straction, for an empty symbol, for
a mere piece of bunting? No! His
mission was to defend and more
broadly establish American institu-
tons. 1t was his noble task to
deepen and enlarge the channel Of
American pride, to broaden Ameri.
can understanding AZ to the founda.
tons of our liberty in short, to es.
tablish the glory of American civil
izatlon. He fought to put down
caste, and build in its stead the
spirit Of true democracy. The best
and bravest blood of all nations
leaped gladly to the sacrifice. No
narrow nativistic ideas prevailed
before the lannon's mouth. The
baptismal smoke Of that mighty
contention buried forever, let US
hope, the malign spirit Of race pre-.
judice. The American flag, thank
God recognizes no distinction of
blood, save that of being shed in
defense. The old soldier believes
in true American Citizenship, and he
makes no apology for calling il
American either. He believes in
the ballot box, and proposes to de.
fend its purity aud its answer to-day
Just as he did in 1851. He believes
III the absolute separation Of church
and state, and so he believes with
all his might, mind and strength in
the public school. He remembers
That the spirit of southern rebellion
found no cover in "a schoolhouse
He remembers that the G. Iel spirit
of slavery would never brook the
appearing of these temples of lib
erty. He remembers that the long
bloody contest was but the struggle
of schoolhouse civilization against
that of the slave pen. He remem
bers that the schoolhouse states new
er caught treason. And SO remom
boring and believing, with the les
sons of sad and costly history
burned deep III his heart, he stands
to-day in the front Of American DIES
tiny, ever reaoy III hlmIself and hls
children to prove "A loyal answer tc
his country's CALL