The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-07

history without the Dlhs Ol hcctouhi p'cl"-
dice and the reservations of party e1pcdiency.
II have never doubted" be said. that the
South believed that II had the right to peace
ably secede from the Union. For sixty years
il had been instiIled into the minds of the
Southern people The proceedings Of their
political conventions were deemed incomplete
without tho reafirmance Of JeGerson's IA
nous formula. Educated from childhood
under its influence. they had come 70 regard
allegiance TO the State as the cornerstone OF
their political faith. Their conviction WIS SIN
cere. and though their administrations re-
jectel this narrow scheme Of government IN
practice. their creed never lost is hold upon
the minds q the people. The question mas
been argued and reargued FOR half a century.
aud argument could not settle il. i could
only be determined By tie arb.trameht 81
arms"
Referring TO the naTow spirit so often oo-
seryable ia Northern assemb.ases resembling
the one he was addressing. which would con
denim as disoya the love and veneiaNon OF
the Southern people for the mem res OF the
Confederate her rs. Mr. Tracy spoke IN terms
Of Garnet remembrance. Shall we" be said.
"who came victorious out OF the struggle
crudqe 10 them the precious traditions Of
yalor and herosm that tier armies. even
though vanquished. have left them As We
stand here today, raising this monument to
our beloved dead we remember that we are
also celebrating the Independence Of united
nation. and looking back across the dark gulf
of civil war. through 115 years Of national ex-
ist nee. we can but think of restored Union.
and say 10 these Others: You were our enc
mics; You are our c0untrymen'
quarter of century has passed. and all
the bitterness of the strug lie IS forgotten.
Like rs. they have veterans living and be-
loved dead like Us. they st II cling fOndy to
those dear associations, the comprehensive
formed on the march. in the tent. around the
cimp-fro, and in the stress of battle; ike us,
the fought from conviction and they fought
bravey and unfinchingy for cause which.
after the fist two Yeas was well nigh hope
less"
After declaring that the rights Of the states
must he preserved in their constitutional
vigor. lie closed with the following words, in
which all patriotic citzens will Join with an
emphasis equal to that with which they were
uttered by tho speaker AS the years pass
by and railroads and other means OF cummu-
nication increase, as those Of Us who live in one
corner Of the Union learn 10 know better the
sterling qualities Of the Inhabitants of the
other sections as we become more and more
closely united by innumerable relations OF
finance. OF exchange, of intercourse. as we JOIN
year after year in great industrial enterprises
and exhibitions. whose support is drawn from
all quarters Of the country, we may look for
an ever-in rea-ing sense of the value OF our
national existence. II we find that the inter
ests of different localities are for the moment
in conflict. we must remember that the wei
fare of each is essential TO the true prosperity
of all. and in loyal spirit Of harmony and
cancellation. by mutual sacrifices. we must so
order and regulate our differences that no
one interest shall be fostered at the ex-
pense Of all the others. This we can do By
standing steadfastly and unselhshly upon the
broad platform of a common nationality,
citizenship not sectional but American. Ami
mated by such purposes, looking unwayer-
ingly TO the common welfare Of our common
country. we shall reconcile all local differ
ences and make this Federal Republic, CON-
posed of States self-governing in their local
affairs. source of blessings to all its people,
and a powerful influence for good. not only
on the Western continent but throughout the
whole world"