The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-20


spoke as a civilian and not AZ n soldier
lie reasoned as classical student rather
than as "A practical statesman. Had ne
fought as n soldier hc would Ns
haps have thought dinerens.y as
n senator: for he would have
learned from his own experiences
and the promptings Of his great heart
that the best soldiers were desuned 10
become the broadest citizens; that the
men who had fought would surely impress
their spirit Of iberality on the policy or
this Government. and that political intol-
orance and ignoble passion could not
co-exist with the highest order OF cour-
age. or had he, as Il student, drawn MS
inspiration. not from Roman policy how
ever broad and cOmmondable, but from
American history and characteristics. and
especially from the lofty impulses which
moved the soldiers on both sides, he might
have known that sectional bitterness
could not long survive the cessation Of ac-
tive hostilties. lie might have then seen
even amidst the darkness around him the
dawning Of the coming day.
But Mr.. Sumner was not the only
statesman who then believed that the
preservation Of war memories was the
perpetuation Of war passions. lie was
not the only one who failed to appre-
ciate the mighty changes which were to
fects Of great trials and sorrows upon
the tempers OF people; or the elevatng.
ennobiing, and unifying power of our
Christian civilization and free !nstitu-
tons.
UNIQUE cHlPTrE.
Few, If any. there were who then saw.
as we see now. that the American civil
war. when fully and rghtfully under
70 la
chapter in the worlds history; that Is,
was inevitable; that II came, as the in
cyitable always comes, with no human
agency competent 10 avert Il: that IL was
inevitable because IT was an irrepressible
clnfict between irreconcllabie constitu-
uonal constructions, maintained on both
sides with American tenaclty, by brave
and truth-loying people, involving mo-
mentous interests and rights. whose
claims could neither be settled nor si-
lenced except by the shedding Of blood.
Few. did i say there We're? May L
not rather say there We're nOnel Where
are the men who then foresaw. for cX-
ample, the South's speedy rocupera-
tion, or even her possible rcsur-
rection? ! do not recall one who,
I'm that woeful period which followed the
disbanding of armies. saw through the
widespread desOlatiOn of this section her
present trimphal march to enduring pros
perity and social order. / do not recall
one whose vision was clear enough or far
reaching enough 10 catch even a faint
glimpse OF these inspiring scenes around
us to-day; not one in any station or sec
ton optimistic enough or audacious
enough TO promise his countfymen the
light and life and fraternity Of this glo-
rious hour And what an hour IL IT, my
In rNh g.
roic remnants of the once hostile and now
historic armies OF the sixties meet as
brothers-meet on the same field where
i'm furious onset through deadly fire they
rushed upon each other;
"When shook these hills with thunder
riven,
And louder than the bolts Of heaven
Far flashed the red artillery"
When rank was piled on rank, borne
down by storms Of lead until Chlcka-
smauga's waters ran RED win pioou
what an hour / repeat, is this. wherein
these once warning heroes meet TO lay
in mutual confidence and respect tneir
Joint trophies on the common ALARMED
at the bidding of the common Govern
ment TO dedicate by Joint action Chick-
amauga's field to common memories ana
the immortal honor Of all.
IHF NAE IN AlhANAfs
II was Lamartine who said, l believe
Of the French Revolution, that II was
"an about~face OF the universe" Our
American civil war was not an about
face" nor change of front Of the
friends of freedom 1t was an advance
IN the cause of liberty; because among
the whole American people il augmented
and ennoblcd the manhood and woman
hood essential TO the future lie OF thc
republic. IL was a forward movement
because it developed the spirit or SELF
sacrifice and OF conservation as these
virtues had never before been developed
since the days Of Washington. 1T WAS
an onward march. because, while IN no
sense lessening the seif-respect of either,
il vastly enhanced the respect OF each
for the opposite section, and If taught
the world that liberty and law can 1--we
i'm this country. even through internecine
war and that this republic, though rent
in twain to-day Is reunited tomorrow
i'm stronger and more enduring bonds.
The truly-great Gambetta, OF France, dld
not agree with Lamartlnc. that either
with Lamartine that the old or
new revolution meant any radical
change in the political sentiment OF
the French people. in conference
which il was my privilege 80 hoid with
that great leader or the itiAbll'au iet''3
I'm France. the details Of which can
never pass from my memory, Gambetta
declared that IA constitutional republic
could only live in France until It's di-
vided foes could united ln common
effort for its overthrow. what con-
trast." he exclaimed. "is presented by
free America in the aspirations and ct-
forts Of her people. The form Of gov
ernment is never an issue with you
i'm America i'm any political battle. YOU
enlist I'm the United states in opposing
coiiticai l!nes under different banners,
but on the banners Of all parties, above
all political tenots. and policies, Is IN
scribed. safety Of the republic and en-
forcement Of its laws He saw, as
we all now realize, that our civil war
was fought, not between the friends on
freedom on one side. and its foes on ih'
other. but between its friends on n"t"
sides; that they fought not Tor con
Quest or change in the form OF govern.
ment. but for inherited CONSTRUCTIONS u
the Governments fundamental law
rHr RfM,nKlpLE Wan.
No wonder that Christendom was
amazed that at the end of the stfussle
tho soldiers OF both armies ana me pei
nle ~ both sections were found stahuli,s
faithfully for the DEGREES OF the Datue
=, - cbariehad Constitution or