Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-06-02

guests were here. 1t was not for per-
sonal ambition, for every American
| was king already. 1t was not to en-
of square miles was enough for the
sake; to put down the rebellion in our
battle Of brothers, but Christlike
war, for it was to help the weak, and
let the oppressed 60 free, and today
there is no resentment here. We came
not to glory in victory achie we'd, but
to sorrow that the price of victory
should have been SO great. Our mission
is not to revive the memory of dead is
sues, but to keep fresh in memory dead
heroes.
There are two scenes which are inn
pressed upon my mind with thrilling
interest. The first was in the city Of
Cleveland at the beginning Of the war
when witnessed the mastering Of the
recruits; the hasty drilling and their
departure to the front when the call
came. Fifteen years passed away and
when in more mature years learned
to appreciate more fully the signifi-
canoe of the war, witnessed another
scene very different from the first, and
which the first did not inspire us to an
ticipate. 1t was on the grounds of the
great Chautauqua Assembly of wide
celebration. 1t happened by previous
arrangement that Gen. Grant, then
President, and Gov. Colquitt, of GeOr-
gia, were present, and on the platform
together. At the conclusion of most
fraternal address by Gov. Colquitt, the
two war enemies clasped hands to-
gether and stood while the American
flag was waved above their heads and
a company Of Jubilee singers, all of
whom had been Georgia slaves sang
with voices of wOnderOus sweetness:
~ never be slave any mo-" "I've
been redeemed" and other songs of
freedom. 1t was scene long to be
remembered and the two are hung up
as companion pictures.
Not until we are inspired by senti-
ments Of peace and reconciliation can
we drop an acceptable flower on SOL
dier's grave. For could they descend
from their high beatitudes and visit the
battle fields of earth again, their song
would be peace and universal brother
hood.
All, love and forgiveness, the great
est things in the world. Call to mind
that scene Of Mr.. Beecher before the
hostile audience at Richmond after
the war. There sat Gen. Fitz. Hugh
Lee, several rebel officers and large
body of sOutherners gathered out of
curiosity, but greeting him with Kisses.
Calmly looking over the audience, Mr..
Beecher at length said; "Is this Gen.
Lee?' The General silently and icily
bowed. "Then," said Mr. Beecher, II
want to offer you, this right hand,
which in its own way fought against
you and yours, but which I would now
willingly sacrifice to make the south
prosperous and haupy. VIII y>y tahe
It General?" Amid tie hushe6H stff p{Ise
Of the audience, Gen. Lee arose, stepped
forward and stretched his arm across
the foot lights, and as their hands
clasped, there arose from that secession
assembly such applause as the old hall
had never heard before, and the abo-
litiOn orator who had done so much
to bring on the war that devastated
Virginia, rode through Richmond next
day amid the cheers of the men who
Were almost ready to mob him few
hours before. forgiveness and love,
the greatest power in the world. And
don't you remember how the noble
confederate women of Columbus,
Tenn, went out one day in the storm,
and in the loving tenderness of a wo-
mans heart scattered flowers alike
on the graves of the Union and Con-
federate soldiers? No nObler or sweet
er thing was ever done under the stars.
"In the storm Of the years that are fading,
No braver battle was won;
Under the sod and the dew
Waiting the judgment day;
Under the blossoms the Blue,
Under the garlands the Grey.
Neither would we today make any
distinction of rank among our noble
dead. The beardless youth, who,
under the protest Of his mother, went
into the camp to beat his tatto; the
educated soldier who rode at the head
of the column; the dumbfounded slave
who stole away from his plantation
home to join the army that had come
to save him; and the poor vagabOnd
whose life was worthless until blue
cap and a musket lifted him to respect
ability; these all merit and have our ad-
miratiOn and our gratitude. Greater
love hath no man than this, that q
man lay down his life for his friend"
And now let me show you one of
Gods prophets, and am done. "He
is very tall and not very stout, and
very solemn; heavy in features and al
most melancholy; but also heavy in
intellect, and in character very great.
You all know him, and have felt his
power. He came to the White House
by a minority vote; enemies all about
him; friends far away at the north.
He compacted his rights; put his hand
on Wall street; united all possible
forces around him; he stamped on
earth and three millions of armed men
sprang up, for its defense; he spoke to
the sea and the mightiest navy the
world ever saw crowned every wave;
he breathed into the air and money
and munitions rained upon the people.
Measured by what he did, he stands
head and shoulders above every other
mortal man for six thousand years
Abraham Lincoln"
MIR. CLEVELAND has about made up
his mind to 60 in for that nomination,
but the silver democrats appear to have
the best chance to control the con.
That's great pity, too, be-
cause the voters would like another
swipe at Grover.