Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-30


Ii we by beatific vision could behold our
departed comrades lowering near us in spirit
We know that they would prefer to hear from
us only the short and simple language of the
heart and would sanction no utterances which
did not contribute to the peace, happiness and
unity of our beloved country, and the promo
ton OF universal sentiments of patriotic, un-
| selfish and self-sacrifcing devotion to our en-
tire country. united under a sacred and vener-
ated Constitution and one most glorious flag.
We have not assembled with Borrowing
countenances and detected mien. We are not
sad, but bring to the performance of the patri-
otto duties of this day happy hearts and all the
sunlight OF our noblest sympathies We are
here gathered together because we believe that
1t Is meet and proper that great nation should
annually pay merited tribute of respect and
gratitude to the memories Of those who died
that the nation might live, and made possible,
II they did not create, all of present and future
national prosperity, happiness and renown
which we now enjoy and SO confidently antici-
pate.
GOLDEN ERA.
We rejoice that this is golden era in our
country's history, when we are at peace with
all the world and all nations have united with
us. on our own soil and in our own waters, in
celebrating the great discovery which gave to
mankind America and now world. Our own
power and greatness as u nation are universally
conceded, prosperity reigns within our borders,
and our people are making such rapid strides
In all the arts and sciences and industrial pur-
suits that We are able to build palaces dedicated
TO science, art and industry, Of such marvellous
beauty and magnifcence as to suggest the story
OF Aladdin and his wonderful lamp and to sur
pass all similar efforts of other nations, while
we gather within them the results Of our own
genius and enterprise as people, still leaving
ample space for the exhibits of all the world be-
sides, and invite with generous rivalry COMPETE
ar wit
We also rejoice with exceeding gladness that
our people devote themselves with equal zeal
to the pursuits Of industry. by which wealth
accumulates, and to the great causes Of educa-
ton and religion, without which both men and
! nations decay, and that they do not neglect the
custom and most active exercise Of both private
and public benevolence and charity with world
wide and heaven-born sympathies.
1t would be a serious and irreverent neglect Of
duty If, mindful as on such an occasion We
must be of our country's history, we did not
humbly acknowledge that God alone is great
and man, no matter what may be the earthly
glory OF his achievements, is at his best and
wisest very little.
Comrades, say with great earnestness of
conviction that the protecting and overruling
power Of Divine Providence has been con-
stantly manifested in every era of our country's
history. In the epoch of voyages and discov-
! cries, in that OF settlements, in the days of
colonial struggle and trials. during our revolu-
tionary war for independence, in those days
succeeding when not without grave anxleties
our Constitution was formed and an indissolu-
BILE union Of states created. During the war of
1912 and that more recent war of the rebellion,
wherein those of our comrades who lie buried
around us, with countless thousands more, died
gloriously, and died, thank God, not in vain.
THE GOSPEL OF LIBERTY.
In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was
promulgated, and the gospel Of liberty spoken
to all mankind in tones Of impressive eloquence,
earnestness and power. which even now. a cen
fury and a quarter later, have lost none of their
effective force, but are still heard giving
strength, hope. the power Of endurance and ac-
ton wherever men need to be enlightened
cheered lifted up and strengthened by the voice
of freedom.
Not many years later, at the close Of that
great struggle, the Constitution was formulated
by the matchless, unsurpassed wisdom Of states
men unequaled in learning, patriotism and
self-sacrifcing devotion to duty by the states
men and sages Of any other nation in either
ancient, medieval or modern times.
We have met to decorate the graves Of those
who earned the gratitude OF their country dur
ing a war-the greatest in all history-waged
for the preservation Of the Union and the Con-
stitution and the enforcement of the laws, that
for all time to come the descendants Of the
signers Of the Declaration Of Independence and
of those who framed the Constitution should
The Declaration of Independence and the
formation and adoption Of the Constitution
were two OF the greatest events in the history
not only OF our own country, but Of mankind.
They created an abiding place for liberty. and
marked q new era in the progress of ciyiliza-
ton.
The war Of the revolution was necessary to
make good and give effect to that declaration
and to render possible the union of these states
under one Constitution.
Still another war was necessary to maintain
that Constitution, make it forever sacred and
nviolable and to secure the union of these states
on SO solid foundation that no European or
Asiatic skeptic despot or advocate Of arbitrary
or kingly power now doubts that it will be per-
petual
The war Of 1912, known as the second war Of
independence, was necessary to teach Great
Britain. always slow to learn or to submit to the
lessons OF adverse experience where her own
power and dominion are concerned, that the
results of the revolutionary war we're not acct
dental, but providential. and that q new gov
eminent had arisen strong in the affections of
Its people, and fully able on sea and land to
maintain its own dignity and the rights of all
its citizens, and to command respect wherever
duty called and honor led the way.
NO SECOND WAR NECESSARY
No second war will ever be necessary to teach
the great lesson that the Union and the Con-
stitution are one and inseparable now and for
ever, and that the limited and wisely restrained
powers of our government are fully adequate
to meet all the demands and exigencies either
in peace or war OF n free people who are tena-
cious of their rights, who love their country
and are devoted to the great principles of pop
ular and local self-government.
1t would be a serious omission not to make
mention Of one great fact which at home is o
subject of universal and most heartfelt rejoic-
ing, while abroad it excites wonder and amaze
ment. 1t is that those who but recently
sought ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the Union-reject-
ing wiser counsels. and under ill-advised
leadership-now in absolute and unquestion-
able good faith unite with its defenders in a
common devotion to their country and its
glorious flag, and are incensed when their
LOYALTY to the restored and reinvigorated
Union is called in question.
This is truly great fact-unparalleled in the
worlds history-which mention only to con-
denim, as l may safely do in the name Of all who
are present, all those whose power for evil,
thank God is rapidly growing less, who for any
purpose would keep alive any Of the bitter
memories of a strife now SO happily ended by a
perfect reconciliation.
1t Is for all Of these reasons I have thus
briefly enumerated that with reverent spiri.
say the heroes Of tho late war for the MAIN
tenance of the Constitution rendered services
to their country as much emitting them to its
love and gratitude did the soldiers OF the
revolutionary war, and that they equaled them
in the resulting benefits conferred upon man.
KIND. lhey were present at the birth of the