The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-20

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one who in that woeful period wnlcn
followed the disbanding Of armies saw
through the widespread desQlauon OF TINS
Z section her present triumpnal maIch 70
. enduring prosperity and social o-der. !
. DO not recall one whose vision was clear
. enough or far reaching enough 70 eaten
4 even faint glimpse Of these inspiring
. scenes around as to-day, not one m any
station or section optimistic enough or
auQacl0us enough 10 promise MS cOun-
trymen The light and life OF fraternity
. OF this glorious hour. And what an h0ur
it IS. my c0uutrymeni An hour wherein
the heroic remnants OF the once hOstue
and now historic armies of the sixties
meet u s brothers-meet on the same field
! where in furious onset through deadly
I fire they rushed upon each other;
when shook these hills with thunder
+ Ana louder than the bolts o. heaven
Far flashed the red artillery
When rank was piled on rank. borne
down by storms OF lead until Chickamau-
gas waters ran red with blood What an
hour. ] repeat is this, wherein these once
warning heroes meet TO lay IN
mutual confidence and respect
their joint trophies on the com
mon altar-meet at the bidding Of the
action Chickamauga' field 10 common
memories and immortal honor Of all
Il was Lemartine, / believe, who said of
the French revolution, that 1t was an
about face Of the universe our Ameri-
can civil war was not an about face" nor
change Of front by the friends of freedom.
because among the Whole American peo-
pie 1t augmented and ennobled the man
hood ana WOmanhoOd essential to the fu-
ture life of the republic. Ii was a forward
movement; because il developed the spirit
Of self-sacrifice and Of conservation as
these virtues had never before been de-
yeloped since the days of Washington.
II was an onward march; because while
in no sense lessening the self-respect of
either, II vastly enhanced the respect of
each for the opposing section; and taught
e.
Ia this country even through internecene
war, ana that this republic though rent
in twain to-day is reunited tomorrow
IN stronger and more enduring bonds. The
truly great Gambetta, of France. did not
agree with Lemartine that either the old
or new revolution meant any radical
change in the political sentiment of the
French people. In a conference which it
was my privilege to hold with that great
leader of the republican forces in France
the details OF which can never pass from
my memory, Gambetta declared that a
constitutional republic could only live in
France until its divided foes could unite
IN a common effort for its overthrow
What contrast, he exclaimed. is pre-
sented by free America, In the aspirations
and efforts of her people. The form of
government is never an issue with you In
America In any political battle You en-
llst IN the United States in opposing po-
ltucal lines under different banners. but
on the banners Of all parties above an
political tenets and policies is inscribed:
SAFETY 70 the republic and enforcement
re thal our civil war was fought, not be-
tween the friends of freedom on the one
siue ana IT'S foes on the other, but between
its friends on both sides. that they fought
not Tor conquest or change in the form of
government. but for inherited construc-
TONS OF the governments fundamental
law.
No wonder that christendom was
amazed that at the end of the struggle
the soldiers Of both armies and the peo-
pie Of both sections We're found STANDING
a hn h4f
and all for the cherished constitution Of
the fathers. No wonder that the civil
lied world regards our civil war as his
tory Will yet proclaim it, the most remark
able conflict in human annals.
. verify my countfymcn, ii was a re-
markable wEr In all its aspects; remark
able for the similarity and elevation Of
sentiment which inspired and the impulse
which guided it; remarkable for the char
and the death roll which it recorded; but
more remarkable for the PATRIOTS
faeryor which Il evoked and intensi-
s hea among s,n an people and al
that each side fought beneath the Aegis
OF written constitution with like limi-
tations, powers and guarantees, and that
the rallying cry which rang through the
ranks of the blue and gray was Liberty
as bequeathed by the fathers" but far
more remarkable-most remarkable of
all-for the legacy of a broader frater-
nifty and more complete unity which il
left to America.
to endure? If yes" then liberty shall
live. If no" then the republic is
doomed: for in the womb of our coun-
try's future are mighty problems IN
stinct with life and power and danger TO
solve, which will call into requisition all
the statesmanship, all the patriotism all
the manhood and loyalty to law of all the
sections. The patriotic American, who
loves his country and it's freedom, and
who fails TO discern these coming dan
gers, and the urgency for united effort
TO meet them is not a statesman: and the
statesman. if j may so characterize him.
who, realizing these dangers would still
for personal or party ends ALLEVIATE the
sections or classes, is but half patriot
Perish, then, forever perish from
American minds and hearts all distrust
all class and party and sectional bigotry
and alienation; but live long live, forever
live, as the last hope of the republic, mu-
tual trust. confidence, brotherhood and
unity between the soldiers who fought be
tween their children who are the heirs of
their immortal honors. Forever live the
spirit which animated the American con
GreSs ana government in making possible
this inspiring hour; and may the spirit of
this hour abide in the hearts of our de-
scendants through all generations.
And why not? Why not mutual, abso-
Lutte confidence, trust and unity2 What
is the basis Of this trust and brother
hoodY SHAH answer? | do answer, be-
cause the answer is great truth, when
history will record and heaven reveal at
last That basis for brotherhood voucn-
cd by the dead heroes who fell, and the
living around me to-day is the monu-
mental fact that every drop of blood which
was shed in that struggle was the price
less tribute paid by hberty-loving men TO
inherited and profoundly cherished con-
VictiOns. Every uniform worn by the
brave, whether its color was blue or gray:
every sheet of flame from the ranks and
rifles of both; every cannon that shook
Chickamauga's hills or Numbered around
the nights of Gettysburg; every whizzing
shell that tore through the wilderness at
Charlottesville or Shiloh; every bulleS-
rent flag that fioated in victory, or Went
down in defeat on any field; every patri-
otto sigh or prayer waited heaVenward
from the north or the south; every loving
ana tender ministration at the dying sof-
diers side; every agonizing throb in wo-
mans heart or burning tear on devoted
woman's cheek-aIl, all were contributions
to the unbuilding of a ioftier American
manhood for the future defense of Amer
lean freedom.
And now, by the authority of the Ameri-
can congress, and the executive depart
ment Of the government; in the presence
of these survivors of the great struggle;
In the midst of this historic woodland
whose leaves were REDEEMED with heroic
blood and whose giant oaks still bear
Upon their ShiVered trunks the visible
track of shot and shell; by these flowing
fountains, whose crystal waters symbol
ize the purity of purpose which convenes
us--ln the presence of all these Witnesses