Las Vegas free press. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1891-1???, 1892-04-09

have made him conspicuous in the
eyes of mankind, so will his departure
from correct habits, his weakness, if
he have one, his shortcomings, be
equally noticeable. In this respect
each individual soldier may remem-
Der that by the purity and honor of
his daily life he may in the walks of
peace add luster to his record IN war.
What a conspicuous man, what a
noble example is that soldier citizen
who to his fame as a courageous SOL
dier in war adds that character
which comes of an evenly balanced,
honorable, just and noble life in
peace. All may not live as he did
who sleeps on the banks of the Poto-
mac, "First in war, first in peace,
first in the hearts of his country
men," but all can, at least, with ben
eft study his character and emulate
his example. In his forgiving spirit,
his manly courage, his strong sense
of justice, his comprehensive grasp
of the small as well as greater duties,
his love of truth for its own sake, his
subordiuation to authority, this high
est type of soldier and citizen, who
81 safely guided us through our first
peril, speaks to us by all that he said
and did, around this camp fire, to
again, one and all, swear fealty to
that matchless written constitution
which is like the house in the para
Bile buided upon the rock, to the
alag that made us free" and as well
to those principles of truth, justice
and equity the maintenance of which
in the daily life and business of the
people alone will preserve that which
is now secured.
A few words more: There is no
better place in which to cultivate the
manly courtesies than in the school
of danger. In the presence peril, in
the midst of the storm of battle, men
can not we'll be little or mean. The
man of strong arm who delivers a
manly blow in open battle, expecting
one in return, learns to respect his
antagonist. This is so in all forms
of contest. 1t is true of the gladia
tors struggling in the front ranks of
political debate; so it is at the bar.
But more notable than in all places
is this in those engaged in war In
the nature of things one brave must
respect his adversary. Ten thousand
men, guns in hand, standing in front
of ten thousand other men, equally
equipped, each intending to move
upon and destroy the other body,
must feel that there is a matter of
conscience and duty impelling each
individual thus to risk his life, and
so a respect is awakened.
This feeling, commencing upon the
battle field, has since the war at
various times and places found ex-
preston in joint union and confed-
crate reunions and in the coming
ling on such occasions as this of sol
diers who in the war were enemies,
but who in place are friends. This
feeling is creditable alike to the sol
diers of both armies and is full of
hope for the future. 1t tells of that
perfect restoration OF good feeling,
that devotion to one constitution
and one flag and one republic, which
makes us pre-eminent among the ma
tions. The presence of this broad
and patriotic spirit in this city and
in the post in whose name | speak to-
night, enables me to add what has
been already said, welcome for
those brave spirits who though mis-
guided proved their fidelity to their
convictions by risking their lives in
battle. / do not know when the day
of trial shall again come, when the
bugle calls the loyal sons of the re-
public to arms, to defend its honor,
that from the everglades of Florida,
all along the southern belt to the
lone star state, an approving answer
ing shout will come, only equaled by
the echoing response throughout the
north, and so, in the presence of
such a spirit, Sherman Post says to
one and all, to the North, South, East
and West: