Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-19

clv1llan ana not as a SOlOleT. he TeaSOn-
cd as a classical student rather than as a
practical statesman. Had he fought as a
soldier he would perhaps have thought
differently as a Senator, for he would have
learned from his own experience and the
rromptings of mis- great heart that the
best soldiers were destined to become the
broadcast citizens: that the men who had
fought would surely impress their spirit of
iiberalfty on the policy of this government,
and that political intolerance and ignoole
passion could not co-eXist with the highest
order of courage.
''Or had he. as student. drawn his in
sprations. not from Roman nolicy, how
ever bread and commendable, 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 active
hostilities He might have then seen even
amid the darkness around him the dawn
ing of the coming day.
But Mr.. Sumner was lot the only states
man who then believed that the preserva-
ton of war memories was the perpetual
ton of war passions. He vas not the only
one who failed to appreciate the mighty
changes which were to be wrought by time;
or the hsllowing effects of great trials and
sorrows upon the tempers of people; or
the elevating ennobling and unifying pow
er of our Christian civilization and free in
StitutionS.
The Inevitable War.
Few, il any, there were who then saw,
as we see now. that the American civil
war, when fully and rishtfully 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 1t was inevitable because
it was an irrepressible conflict between ir-
reconCilable constitutional constructions,
maintained on both sides with American
oft Inv hrox- and fr,r. nlin
pie, involving mcmentous Interests and
rights, whose claims could neither be set
| tied nor silenced except by the shedding of
blood.
Few, did I say there We're? May 1 not
rather say there were none! Where are
| the men VINO then forasaw, for example,
| the south's speedy Incorporation, or even
her possible resurrection? do not recall
| one wto in that woc+Il period which fol-
| lowed the disoanding Of the armies, saw
| through the widespread desolation of this
| section her present trlumphal march to en-
| during prosperity and social order. l do
| not recall one whose vision was clear
enough or far reaching enough to catch
| even e faint glimpse of these inspiring
scenes around us today; not one In any
| station or section optimistic enough or
| audacious enough to promise his country
men the lisht and life and fraternity Of
| this glorious hour.
| An Inspiring Hour.
"And what an hour 1t is, my country
| men! An hour wherein the heroic rem
nants of the once hostile and now historic
armies of the sixties meet as brothers
meet on the same field where in furious
| onset through deadly fire they rushed upon
| each other:
When shook these hills with thunder
| 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 Chicka-
mauga's waters ran red with blood. What
an hour, l repeat, is this wherein these
| once warning heroes meet to lay in mutual
confidence and respect their joint trophies
| on the common aluar-meet at the bidding
| of the common government TO dedicate by
| joint action Chickamauga's field to common
| memories and the immortal honor of all.
1T was Lamartine, l believe, who said
of the French revolution that it was An
| about-face of the universe Our American
| civil war was not an about face nor
| change of front by the friends Of free
| dom. 1t was advance in the cause of
liberty. because among the whole Ameri-
| can people 1t augmented and ennobled the
manhood and womanhood essential to the
future life of the republic. 1t was a for
ward movement, because it develop ped the
| spirit of self-sacrifce 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 ;he self-respect of
| each for the opposite section and it taught
| the world that liberty and law can live In
| this country even through internecne war
and that this republic, though rent in twain
| today, is reunited tomorrow in stronger
and more enduring bonds.
France and America.
1.-The truly great Gambetta of France did
not agree with Lamartine that either the
old or new revolution meant any radical
change in the political sentiment Of the
French people. In a conference which 4,
was my privilege to hold with that grea,
leader of the republican forces In France
the details of which can never pass from
my memory, Gambeuta declared that a
constitutional republic could live in France
only until it's divided foes could unite in a
common effort for its overthrow. What
a contrast, he exclaimed, is presented
by free America, in the aspirations and
efforts of her people. The form of govern.
ment is never an issue with you in America
in any political battle. You enlist in the
United States in opposing political lines
under different banners, but on the banners
of all parties, above all political tenets and
policies, is inscribed Safety of the republic
and enforcement OF its laws."'
He saw, as we all now realize, that oul
civil war was fought, not between the
friends Of freedom on one side and it's foe: