Omaha daily bee., 1896-05-31

ing a furious gale, that had its beginning
over the slavery question and which was 10
divide the national household unless 1t
should become permanently free. 1t was
but a few years before that Daniel Webster
had said freedom, human liberty and
human rights are gaining the ascendant on
earth" They were gaining the ascendant
on earth, but they had not reached 1t.
For a time IT seemed that this republic was
to be bound like another Prometheus to
the adamantine rock. while slavery, like
another %vulture, was preying on its vitals.
Washington had always wished It other
wise. He left to his posterity a noble ex-
ample, when, in the last year Of his life. by
his own hand, he penned the words In his
will which gave freedom to his slaves.
jefferson had also often expressed the
wish with philanthropic warmth and en-
phasis that freedom might be given to
the slaves. but neither foresaw, as Lincoln
did, that slavery must perish or the nation
become discovered.
WAR SAVED THE NATION.
"The disguised blessing of war furnished
the opportunity for the Issuing of the great
est Of all pc itical documents in the cause OF
freedom, human liberty and human rights
spoken of by Webster-the emancipation
proclamation document as sacred to the
American people as the American c%onstitu-
ton, and which put an end to the buying
and selling of the image OF God like a beast
In the market. 1t came as the result Of
war. and it could not have come without 1t.
Thus by war was liberty born. Thus by war
was the nation saved. Thus by war was 1t
made greater and nobler than ever before,
purified as by fire, sanctiied by patriotic
blood, and %glorifed as Of God. BY this one
act alone Lincoln endeared his memory in
the hearts Of a grateful people.
The liberating Of the slaves, grand
though 1t be in thought as we'll as in action,
was but the means to an end. Lincoln's
purpose was to save the union which Wash
lngton had created, and jefferson enlarged.
and Monroe nrOtapfa1 To Slra thn nytn
under the constitution, with slavery IL he
could. but without 1t If he must. His love
for the union was greater than all other
loves and stood out superior to all other
considerations.
Lincoln left us that nation of which
Seward spoke, existing for something, and
destined for something: having for her.
destiny the working out Of political reforma-
her own future. By the teachings of her
example she is setting in motion the creation
OF republican forms Of government all over
the western hemisphere. By her prowess,
and her greatness she may change the sys-.
tens of Europe. Now firmly established on
the broad foundations of liberty she has risen.
to a prodigious power. She has conquered
more by peace for the cause Of humanity in
100 years than did Rome by arms In many
centuries. She has become the wonder Of
the world, and yet her duty has but begun.t
Her march must still be forward, by the.
ways Of peace, II possible, but If wars must
NN''e NV Eho lluEt
tread to the accomplishment of that purpose.
for which che was chose mas out of Small,
let the war come, and her patriotic sons will
met II manfully."
AS a fitting close Of the exercises the emf
tire audience united in singing ,''America."
Decoration day was enthusiastically OBJ
served at the parochial school Of the Associ-
ate Mission, Twenty-sixth and Franklin
streets. AT 10 o'clock a memoria celebration
OF the Holy Eucharist was sung in st. Johns
church, after which the children and their
friends gathered In the school building for
the remaining exercises. After the singing
Of patriotic songs the leading feature of the
morning followed. This was the raising Of
a large flag, the gift of an eastern friend
Of the school. Stuart Gwynne, a Junior IA
the school, made the presentation speech, and
Rev. Father Young responded for the school.
The flag was unfurled with great enthusiasm
among the children, who Justify sang Amer
ica,' THE Star Spangled Banner and other
national songs, and made the air re-echo.
assembly hall was richly adorned with flags,
and bunting and patriotic emblems.