The Globe-republican., 1898-06-02
ICoxtissed from first Page.

most Immediately after the surrender restored
them to all the rights and privileges Of Ameri-
can citizens and gave absolutely into their hand.
the government of the States that had seeded
They were soldiers because of necessity and moi
from choice. When the war was over and the
south lay PROSTATE at the feet Of the army. there
was universal desire in the hearts of the soldier
That was to be allowed to 60 home.
The return Of the Union soldier marked the
commencement Of the most remarkable period
of material development in history. The soldier
as civilian dominated the State; made Of his
comrades presidents, governors. senators and
congressman. and never has the nation been
more gently ruled. The old time enemy was
more effectually conquered by magnanimi.y and
generosity of the Union soldier in power as rul-
ers and lawgivers than he was by the sword.
The Union soldier leaves not to his son q divi-
ded land either in fact or in sentiment. He
conquered his enemy upon the field Of battle by
ERE and sword. and then conquered him again
when war had ceased by love and generosity. In
the light of their marvellous career. their glo-
Tious achievements il seems to me that the con
cusion lie irresistible that they were more than
ordinary men.
Peace be to the ashes Of the nations honored
deal. In the first blush Of their young manhood
many of them laid down their lives. Cut off be-
fore their powers had developed and matured.
yet ha 1 they lived the full allotted time of man
their death could not have been more honorable
or glorious. The nation stands today in admira-
ton and love by the graves Of each beardiess
soldier boy and blesses his name and reveres his
memory. Into the silent mysterious beyond. the
Old Guard is silently and fearlessly marching,
and as comrade falls out the ranks are closed
As Of yore and the elbows are touched again. As
the heads grow grayer and the old forms more
bowed with weight Of years, the ties OF conrad
ship grow sweeter and holier and the old hands
are clasped little tigher.
Until within the last few days peace has been
secure to the nation since the surrender a: Apo
mattax. Many wild fields Ger which the Union
soldiers fought have been cleared by axe and
subdued by the plow. Upon many of the earth
works they erected great trees are now growing.
The lines OK the old Notifications can hardly be
traced. As surely as those scars and prOtuber-
ances upon the face Of mother earth disappeared
so have the scars disappeared from the hearts Of
men, and their minds been purged of hatred and
rage. Surrounded by a grateful and peaceful
nation, may it be many years that the remnant
OF the grand old army Of the Union may remain
in the land they love. But, as often in the past
when the command was given to mach on, the:
cannot linger, and under the command of the
great Chicttain of the Universe they must still
| march on until the crossing of the river is
reached, where on peerine over its dark mys
ferrous waters the old lines Of blue can be seen
! under leadership Of the old commanders drawn
up just on the other side.
1.-THE battle is DER and the victorys' won
| And the soldiers work is nObiy done.
He's bound for the land Of peaceful rest,
Where the coed and the brave are loved and
blest.
On that tented field Grants and Hancock,
Where Old Pap Thomas by angels led;
Where Fighting Joe HoOoker's" soul en-
In the soldiers sweet home beyond tn,
"1n that land of love with the private boys
Stands the old BLACK Eagle" of Illinois.
Little Mac" and Meade all gone before,
Will welcome you comrades to that othel
Clad in sainted robes there our Lincoln stands
= Ills martyred soul so subIineIy grand;
And there beside him our Garfield waits.
To welcome You comrades through the pearl.
gates"
'Clad in their robes of sainted blue,
Old comrades dear. they're waiting for you.
The exercises closed with the song
Star Spangled Banner, by Miss Inez G
Robbins.
Rev. w. r. Weaver pronounced the
benediction.