Los Angeles herald., 1890-05-31
AT THE CAPITAL.

AT THE CAPITAL.
Speeches BY Congressman Boutelle and
Others-A German Address.
WASHINGTON, May 30.-Decoration day
was observed as holiday. All the
government departments were closed.
A large number of people attended the
ceremonies at the cemeteries. Many
others went fishing, on picnics or excur-
sions. Congressman Boutelle, of Maine,
delivered an grafton at Arlington; Con-
gresham Morse, of Massachusetts, at
the soldiers home.
Congressman BouteI1e's Address.
The address of Representative Bou-
telle, of Maine, at Arlington cemetery
was a notable one. He spoke of the
righteousness of the union cause. 'The
men who rallied to the defense of the
star-spangled banner" he said, "not
only kept step to the music of the union,
but marched in the vanguard of Chris
tian civilization. This cannot be said,
and nothing like it can ever be truth
fully said of the cause of those who
sought by rebellion to destroy the gov
ernment. The rebellion was conspiracy
organized in the interest of human
slavery. 1t sought pretext for precipi-
tating bloody conflict with the purpose
of establishing a slave-holding confed-
eracy, or ultimate empire, to embrace a
large portion of the territory of the
United States, including great section
of territory that had been purchased bv
the whole people,"
Comrades" said the orator, eve paw
the highest reverence to the memory Of
our dead when we strive most earnestly
to remember and toimpress upon others
the nobility OF the cause for which they
SO steadfastly fought. We have no de-
sire to revive unhappy memories or fan
any embers OF sectional strife, and so
far as | have observed, the tanning of
those embers has been principally the
work of our brethren of the south"
Reference was made to the scenes at
Richmond during the last few days, and
Boutelle expressed "a little more than
regret" at what he said could not fail to
shock the true sense of propriety. He
protested against the lavish display of
rebel colors, and said the ex-confederates
who displayed the flag to glorify it, were
not true to the parole granted at Appo-
mattox.
Boutelle's Grafton was followed by ap-
plause of the stormiest kind.
Congressman Mason, of Illinois, de-
livered spirited address in a similar
vein, at the congressional cemetery.
German Address.
A large number of German veterans
and others gathered at Prospect Hill
cemetery to do honor to their dead com
rades. An Grafton was delivered in Ger
hu Slyrf of hA
ington Journal. After eulogizing the
German soldiers, he turned to the con-
sideration of political questions, and said
in part: eff the German element of this
country does not wish to expose itself to
well-grounded charges that it places
material above all other objects, then it
will have to devote itself to politics in
the future to greater degree than here
no governor, no legislature, could be
elected if they be unfriendly toward the
just claims OF the German element, if it
would but assert it's inherent power and
political strength. No man could be
elected to the office of president of the
United States, by one or the other of
the two great parties, who should bear
upon his brow Gains mark of Know
Nothingism. The principle of political
equality upon which our government is
based, places in the hands of every one
the most powerful weapon of self
defense mans ingenuity ever created
the elective franchise. Has the German
element properly appreciated these
weapons? We find the German element.
one-seventh of the entire population of
the union, neither represented in the
supreme court or in the senate by but a
single voice. Among the hundreds of
representatives in congress, hardly one
tiftieth part speaks the mother tongue.
Can there be valid reason in system
of government based upon the broadcast
foundation of universal equality,
for such a disproportionate repre-
sentatiOn of the popular elements claim
ing common rights? Truly it were better
for the German element, as well as for
the fortunes of this nation, would it but
show less party fealty and more inde-
pendence in thought in the political life
so surrounding it. 1t would not then be
placed in one part of the country before
the alternative of having it's young COM
PEELED to employ, even in acquiring a
rudimentary education, the English Ian
guage in preference or to the exclusion
of the language of their homes. Itwould
not be asked in another part to accept
and respect laws which originated in the
narrow minds of fanatics-laws which at
best are but ephemeral. 1t would not
be asked to give its approval to the mar
row restrictions of the free human right
OF migration, by erecting barriers against
any nationality by means of unjust i'm
migration laws, furthered by unworthy
class spirit, and nourished upon the
breast of antiquated prejudice.
AT NEW YORK.