Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-06-01


The recognition of slavery iii the Cunstitu-
ton was the result uf compromise. |. was
either TO Tolerate slavery or have no Con
stitltipn at all. Great institutions are
often based on compromise, not a mean
and craven sentiment, as some think, but
spirit Of Cancellation and magnAnlmity,
without which there can be no union or
stability. The English and Roman CON
stitutions were the results Of compromise
and concession. but the spirit OF liberty
was growing in the minds and hearts of
the American people and slavery being
antagonistic to that spirit, was doomed.
Every gun fired during this war was a shot
that struck the fnanacles of the slave, and
every sword thrust was a cutting Of the
Iiordiun knot. And now, throughout the
length and breadth of this land--frOm the
great lakes of the north to the gulf of the
south. from our eastern seabuard, where
the Atlantic dashcs its crested waves upon
the shore, to the Pacific, where California
shakes her golden tresses in the sunlight,
there Is not heard the cIanking Of the
letters of the slare-the flag of a united
country which to-day kisses the breeze
from tree top aud valley, literally waves
over the land OF the free" And the
whole country IL glad of it, The SOUTH
with its bOundlesS resources, feels the in
spIratOn of freedom and is marching
towards grand destiny. Slavery made
what She could do and produce for herself.
q remember the story they tell OF a poor
Oil fellow who was buried down there.
They cut his grave right ont Of marble in a
quarry, yet they had to send to Vermont
Tor theflittle tombstone. He was buried
near awoods, yet his coffin was brought
from Cincinnati. and his coat from New
York, although right about him was the
best sheep.raislng country in the world,
The nails in the coffin were brought from
Pennsylvania although AN iron mine was
near BY In fact, the south did not con
tribute anything but the corpse and hole
in the ground, leaving him nothing to
carry to the next world but the chill blood
i'll his veins and the marrow IN his bones.
But they have improved since then, and
now have got the biggest marble quarry in
the country, located right on that spot, and
within 100 yards they have an iron minc.j
This idea of American freedom is under
every throne on Garth France and Brazil,
these are our victories; and believe that
this great uplifting force of liberty is gong
to tupplc every throne and break every
sceptre. Ii we are true To ourselves and To
our great mission, other nations and
peoples will rise uii and call us blessed.
y. Human equality Jefferson set forth
this great principle in the Declaration of
Independence, but only during the past
quarter Of Il century has it been a living
reality. Like the wheat seed held in the
hand of the Egyptian mummy, this prin-
clple could not grow until placed IN proper
soil. 1t is now II thrifty plant, and is
yielding bountiiul harvest, Avenues of
industry, honor and cmplument are open
TO all classes and conditions Our glorious
publtcsChnol systems the pride and security
Of our nation, affords educational privilege
to all, thus fitting them to step into any
position and to attain any height. There
Abraham Lincoln pushed his intboat down
the Mississippi and eventually pushed
| himself into the Presidential chair. James
| a. tiariield drove the mule team on the
! tow path of the canal. but This did not
| hinder him from driving into tho White
House And gladly and proudly say to
| these boys before me- the avenue is open
| to yOu-the best positions in the land
await you. May the hag of our indssol-
uble Union long wave over every school
| house, in which the boys and girls from
homes of wealth and homes of poverty sit
side ,by side, aud get elual mental equip
ment for the duties Of life
4. Loyalty to the Republc-The great
| apostle found it convenient upon certain
occasion, to claim loyalty to Rome. What
true American does not rejoice to say, II
am an American citizen.h lie is loyal to
| his whole Country-not only to MaSsachu-
| sets, but To South Carolina-he loves
| every foot of soil in every State of the
| Union,
| Boys, when asked the meaning of
| Declaration Day, | want you to he able to
! answer, that IL means an lndissohble
! uniUn, human liberty and equality and
! whOle-hcarted loyalty. These men that
| You see here to-day dressed in blue, some
| with armlesS sleeves, others bearing
4 wounds upon their bodies. all going toward
/ the sunset. are the men who secured these
| blessings for us--who periled their lives,
| that we might enjoy this rich herit age
1 When you think Of these things. and
study the history of our civil war, let your
! young hearts warm towards those who
| fought for you and your country. After
| awhile you will be men and occupy posi-
4 tons of trust and responsibility, Never
! forget the debt of gratitude you owe to
| the soldier, ana you can pay this debt by
being true as ! believe YOU will to the
| principles of American liberty.
Soldiers of the q. A. r., hail you upon
| this glad day. Your ranks are growing
| less AS the days 30 by. The last tattoo will
| soon beat, and you retire to the sleep of
the grave. May You all, after having
fought the good fight of faith lay hold
| upon eternal life" and be marshaled at
last upon the plains of glory. This Re-
! public will not, cannot forget You, but
| when You pass from our sight, your graves
| shall receive the flowers, the cmblems of a
I nations love and gratitude.
Next the children sang Dear Country"
after which the doXology was sung and
the bencdiction pronounced.
Immediately thereafter the multitude
dispersed and the parading organizations
returned to their headquarters.
School children also assisted in decorat
| ing graves in Wilmington and Brundywine
cemetery. On their way ont Delaware
| avenue the youngsters. each carrying Il
| bouquet, attracted much attention.
The national coors are seen everywhere
| Flags float from industrial establishments
ana shipping The decorations are most
| prufuse on Market street. The cross streets
in the vicinity of Wilminston's principal
| business thoroughfaro are also lavishly
adorned. Some OF the decorations are
most artistic. Even the heads of horses
are adorned with flags.