The record-union., 1894-05-31

It may be said that the Nation had
drlfted away from the declaration OF It's
founders that all men were born free ana
equal. If it did, it has since been bap-
| tized in fire and blood and the lapse cor
rected.
This great Nation was never made to
go down in anarchy and ruin. Ihere
was more in the fight than mere piece
of bunting, the preservation of the Union
or the freeing of 100000 of slaves. 1t
was the emancipation of 30.00O,OOO OF
white people. We did not see it until
Lincoln read it TO us, but then we per-
ceived it,
! The speaker believed in the predestina-
! ton of this Nation to some great end.
/ storms may beat against it, but all hell
shall not prevail against it. Its flag shall
wave on and on while nations last.
Behind the war was occult power shap-
ing events and writing history for future
nations. What was it? When Washing
! ton was IL years old he had a PRESENT.
ment that he should lead the army; be
should preside over the nation; he should
be the most popular man in the world.
! When Grant was at West Point General
Scott came there. AS he rode down the
line something whispered to Grant that
he should some day occupy the same po-
sitlon and lead the armies of the Repub-
lie
Why did these boys record these things
If it was not revelation of what they
should do. Lincoln was the instrument
of God. When he set out to the National
Capital he told his neighbors he was 60
ing to fill a more difiicult.position than
any President since Washington, and
asked them to pray that God would sus-
tain him as He had Washington.
The same inspiration took the soldiers
from their homes. They felt that the
country and humanity needed them to
perpetuate the Republic in all its muniti-
cence and glory.
whether we are called pension pau
pers or not, said he. the fact remains
that we helped to save the country from
! those who hated us then and hate US now.
Our life work was nearly done when the
war ended. Whatever we have done for
human liberty stands now TO our credit
and always will so stand.o The liberty
for which our fathers battled and strug-
gled is a stern and unyielding freedom.
and ii we suspend one portion OF 1t there
is danger to the whole. He believed III
America-in a governmental policy de-
tinctively, aggressively American, Amer
lean in ideas-and not all the cranks,
peripatetic beggars and anarchists can
shake its foundations.
He thought a conflict was coming in
the future which would shake it to its
| foundations, but had faith that it would
weather the storm. God will send other
men like Washington, Lincoln, Grant
and Sherman to preserve it.
1t would be unjust TO take his seat
without reference to the loyal women
of the country whose work was done
during the war, quietly, lovingly and
thoroughly. even to the death, and who
accomplished so much. God bless the
ladies of the Relief Corps and the Grand
Army and all loyal women.
After a selection by the orchestra Miss
May Powers gave fine recitation,
Cover With Flowers" which received,
as il deserved, an enthusiastic recall.
Another selection by the orchestra was
followed by splendid recitation by Miss
Aimee Murrels, The Drummer Boy of
Mission Ridge" which was enthusi-
asticly encored.
Mrs. Ida Desmond-Ritner sang 1.-The
Star Spangled Banner in manner that
reused the audience to enthusiasm and
she was called back to repeat it.
A patriotic sketch entitled stand by
| the Flag" concluded the programme, in
which Albert Hart, 5. Lubin, Frank
| Denton, Nat Leibling and Creed H.
Johnson took part, and was loudly ap-
! plauded.