The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-09-26

! that sectional bitterness could not long sur
vve the cessation of active hostilities. He
might have then seen even amidst the dark
ness around him the dawning of the coming
day.
Few, if any, there were who then saw. as
| we see now, that the American civil war,
when fully and rightfully understood, was to
become the most unique chapter in the worlds
| history; that it was inevitable; that it came
as the inevitable always comes with no human
agency competent to avert it, that it was in-
evitable because il was an irrepressible conflict
between rreconcilable constitutional construc-
/ TONS maintained on both sides with American
tenacty, by brave and truth-loving people,
! involving momentous interests and rights,
whose claims could neither be settled nor
silenced except by the shedding of blood.
at was Lamartine, ! believe. who said of the
French Revolution. that il was "A n about-face
of the universe Our American civil war was
not an 'about-face.' nor change of front by the
friends of freedom. 1t was an advance IN the
cause of liberty; because among the whole
American people il augmented and ennobled
the manhood and womanhood essential to
the future life of the Republic. 1t was for
ward movement; because il developed the
spirit of selfsacrifce aud 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 lcssening
the selfrespect of either, it vastly enhanced
the respect Of each for the opposing section !;
and taught the world that liberty and law can
live in this country even through internecine
war, and that this Republic though rent in
twain to-day is reunited tomorrow III stronger
and more enduring bonds.
No wonder that Christendom was amazed
that at the end of the struggle the soldiers of
both armies and the people of both sections
were found standing faithfully for the DEGREES
of the BATTLE and all for the cherished Consti-
tuition of the fathers. No wonder that the
civilized world regards our civil war as his
tory will yet proclaim it, the most remarkable
conflict in human annals"
GEN. JAMES LoNGsrREET
was next introduced and said in part:
ION similar occasion, at Gettysburg, Presi-
dent Abraham Lincoln said: 9 1t is for Us, the
living, rather TO be dedicated here to the
finished work. and again Mr.. Lincoln says,
for us to be here dedicated to the great task
remaining before US and as from such green
graves some good is born i would look TO the
unfinished work and the great task remain
ing before us in which the blue and gray, and
the sons and daughters Of veterans on both
sides can heartily join in extending, broad
ening, confirming and perpetuating a Govern
ment of the people, By the people, and for the
people
Il allude, my countrymen, to happenings in
1893. TO the exssperating European interference
in Hawaii, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Trinidad,
and the general but steady purpose of Great
Britain to nullify or encroaeh upon the Mon
roe Doctrine; and, although the guns at Appo-
mattox had scarce ceased in their reverbera-
tons, the brave soldiers OF Lee plainly indicated
that they would follow Grant aud Sheridan IN
driving any European Government from the
Americas And / believe there is an abound
ing patriotism. broad and deep, in all Amer
leans; that patriotism throbs the heart and
pulses the being as ardently of the South Caro-
Iinian as the Massachusetts, Puritan; that the
Liberty Bell, in its Southern pilgrimage, will
be as revercntly received and as devotedly
loved in Atlanta and Charleston as in Phila.
delphia and Boston; that all idolize Old
Glory, and with Barbara Fritchie we can all
now say:
90 Shoot. ifyou must this old gray head
But spare your couniry's flag she saids
"And to stimulate and evolve this noble sen.
timent all the more, what we need is the re-
sumption of fraternity at the ratio of 16 to L
16 strong heart-sirikes of mutual esteem and
love TO a feeble, expiring one of waning Sec
tionaiism-the hearty restoration and cordial
cultivation of neigh borly. brotherly relations;
faith in Jehovah and respect for each other;
and God grant that the happy vision that de-
lighted the soul of the Sweet Singer of Israel
may rest like benediction upon the North |
ana ooutn, upon the blue ana the gray. |
Strengthen the Army and Navy, look to the |
armaments Of our warships and render more
efficient our sea-coast defenses. in word, |
make the United States the first naval power
of the world. aud when another landing by |
England at Corinto is attempted; when Euro |
pean colonization is attempted when Euro |
pean colonization in Venezuela is essayed and |
when British greed in Nicaragua is repeated, |
or any other invasion or encroachment of the |
Monroe Doctrine is threatened, the followers of |
Lee and Grant, the sons Of the veterans of the |
blue and gray, some Decatur, Jones, Perry, |
Farragut Semmes or Maffit upon the quarter |
deck Of an American man -ofwar will unfurl 1
the flag of Washington, Lincoln, Grant, and |
Lee in the English Channel, and the Yankee /
huzzs and rebel yell will resound along the |
British coast"
Gen. Longstreet was frequently interrupted |
by enthusiastic applause. When the applause
his speech had ended the vast audi
ence sang "Anld Lang Syne." A few short
speeches were made by other distinguished /
visitors, after which the exercises were aG-
jsurned.