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

on the other but between its friends on
both sides; that they fought not for con-
quest or change in the form OF govern
ment. but for inherited constructions Of the
governments fundamental law.
mo wonder that Christendom was
amazed that at the end of the struggle the
soldiers of both armies and the people Of
pcth sections were found standing faith
fully for the DEGREES Of the battle and all
for the cherished Constitution OF the
fathers No wonder that the civilized
| world regards our civil war, as history will
yet proclaim it, the most remarkable con-
hict In human annals.
A Remarkable War.
Verify. my countrymen, It was a re-
markable war in all its aspects; renal lkable
for the similarity and elevation Of senti-
| ment which inspired and the impulse which
guided it: remarkable for the character of
the combatants which 1t enlisted and the
| ceath roll which II recorded. but more re-
markabie fer the patriotic fervor which #
evoked and intensified among all people
| and all sections; still more remarkable that
| each side fought beneath the Aegis of q
written constitution, with like limitations,
powers and guarantees, and that the rally
| ing cry which rang through the ranks Of
the blue and gray was Liberty as be-
queathed by the fathers but far more
remarkabfe-most remarkable of sll-for
the legacy of a broader fraternity and
mere complete unity which is left to
| America.
| Fraternity of Americana.
is this fraternity to last? Is this unity
to endure? If yes then liberty shall live.
If no. then the republic is doomed, for In
the womb of our countrys future are
mighty problems, instinct with life and
power and danger, to solve which will call
INTO reQuisition all the statesmanship all
tne patriotism, all the manhood and loyalty
70 law OF all the sections. The patriotic
american, who loves his country and its
freedom, and who fails to discern these
&C ming dangers and the urgency for united
enort to meet them, is not a statesman:
and the statesman, IL might so character
ize him. who, realizing these dangers
would still, for personal or party ends
patriot. WV AA
Perish; then forever perish, from Amer
lcan minds and hearts all distrust, all class
ana party and sectional bigotry and alien
ation; but live long live, forever live as
ene iast nope OF the republic. mutual trust,
confidence, brotherhood and unity between
their children. who are the heirs Of their
immortal hcnors. Forever live the spirit
which animated the American Congress and
government In making possible this snspir-
ing hour; and may the spirit of this hour
abide in the hearts of our descendants
through all generations.
All Fought for Freedom.
And why not? Why not mutual, abso-
| lutte confidence, trust and unity? What is
the basis of this trust and brotherhood?
Snail answer? do answer, because the
answer is great TRUTH which history will
record and heaven reveal at last That
basis for brotherhood, vouched by the dead
heroes who fell, and the living around me
| today, Is the monumental fact that every
drop Of blood which was shed in that strug-
| gle was the priceless tribute paid by liberty
| loving men to inherit and profoundly cher
ishsd convictions. Every uniform worn by
the brave, whether its color was blue or
| gray; every sheet of flame from the ranks
and files and rifles of both; every cannon
that shook Chickamauga hill or thunoered
around the heights of Gettysburg; every
whizzing shell that tore through the will
derness at Charlottesville or Shiloh; every
bullet-rent flag that floated in victory, or
| went down in defeat on any field; every
patriotic sigh or prayer waited heavenward
| from the north or the SOUTH every loving
and tender ministration at the dying SOL
dier's side; every agonizing throb in wo-
mans heart or burning tear on devoted wo-
mans cheek-all all were contributions to
| the upbuildiug Of loftier American man
hood for the future defense Of American
freedom.
An American Mecca.
And now, by the authority of the Amer
lean 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 TcuueHSu WIN hcioiS p'ooo, oio
| whose giant oaks still bear upon their shiv-
| cred trunks the visible track of shot and
| shell; by these flowing fountains. whose
| crystal waters symbolic the purity of pur-
i pose which convenes US; In the presence OF
| all these witnesses, and In the name OF
this great republic and its people, We set
| apart, as an American Mecca, and conse-
crate for all time, this immortal battle
| ground, made forever glorious by Amer
| lean valor."
No man, Judging by their sentiments and
| the sentiments of the thousands of federal
| and cor federate veterans who heard them,
new can doubt that the sectional line be-
tween the north and south is wiped OUT.
Those who have heard General Gordon be-
| fore said it was the effort of his life.
The Rock of Chicknmnuga.
The pulse quickens as the visitor stands
OH Snodgrass Hill, says writer in the
New York Tribune. Here, where the long
line of stately monuments marking regi-
| mental positions crowns the crest, General
Thomas made his magnificent stand from
2 o'clock until shutdown, against an over
whelming force, and for three hours, with
| only two thin brigades, beat back the
splendid charges Of Longstreets corps
from the Army of Virginia. With mis- right
swept back toward Chattanooga, with am
munition gone, and even the last cartridge
taken from the bodies Of their comrades
| lying in front of them The men of the
Rock of Chickamauga" repealed success
sively sixteen desperate charges of Long
| streets brigades. and occupied the position
| at the end of the engagement. In an hour
| and a half on that bloody Sunday after
noon Lcngstreets corps lost nearly A. per
| cent. Steedman's and Brannan's COM
mands, which confronted a portion of
Lorgstreets assault, lost, the first, 10 per
| cent in four hours, all killed and wounded
but one and the second an average of 50
per cent
. AS one stands before the Snodyrass
House, the headquarters of General Thorn
as during that fearful September after
neon, it Is not difficult to picture hat In
: tre1gfd soldier, silently chewing toothpick
, | and facing what seemed inevitable defeat.
| as report after report of disaster on the
| right reached him. He was beaten by
| every rule Of war when the North Carolina
: troops turned his right flank, and he ought
to have surrendered. Any European gem
eral would have done So said a confed-
crate general. But at that moment Gordon
Changers reserve Of 1900 men providential-
: ly appeared, swept up the gully back OF
Headquarters, assaulted the victorious con-
> federate forces with incredible fury, hurl-
/ ed them back down the hill, and with the
: | of fuo H.