Middletown transcript., 1898-07-23
MIDDLETowN. DEL, JULY 90, 1898
AN ERA OF GOOD FEELING.

Sin answer to an inquiry on the floor
Of the House, 1 said, the other day,
that the war would cost in the neigh
harhnod Of 5000. 600. .0OOif it should last
one year. If it lasts three times as long
and costs ten times as much, it will be
worth it all in the new feeling of unity
and amity with which it has permeated
the whole country, and the new vista
which it opens before the American
people,"
These are the words of Joseph Can
non, the veteran republican leader in
the House of Representatives. They
were uttered in the course of a CONVEX
sation relative to the action of Congress
in the final wiping out of the last ves-
tige of the Confederate Disability Acts.
Cannon is not man who usually gives
way to his emotions. He is chairman
Of the House Committee on Appropria-
tions. He deals mostly in facts and
figures. He is known as one of the
steadiest of the political wheel-horses,
and he has been in pablic life long
enough so that he is not easily over
come by his feelings. But even Can
non, who was once one of the bitterest
and most violent opponents of the
South, has been touched by the good
feeling and bears witness to the disap-
pearance of old rancors.
"From pres mt indications I believe
that this war may be succeeded by n
other EZRA of good-feeling,' such as that
which followed the war of 1872, in
Monroe's time,' continued Mr.. Can
non. I" / do not mean necessarily that
the exact conditions are to be repeated
OF that party lines will be wiped out,
But it looks as though there would be
renewal of unity and good feeling
such as has not been witnessed in
American politics since the slavery
question came into prominence.
"The first requisite for an EZRA of
good feeing,' is general prosperity.
Our agricultural interests seem TO be
entering upon period Of general i'm
provemeut and revival, and the close
of the war will give great impetus to
American commerce, especially in the
direction of foreign trade.
"Unless some unexpected catas-
trophe intervenes 10 change the present
trend of events, this means prosperity,
good times, and consequent good feel
ing. For another thing, we shall have
at the close of the war new interests.
Our attention will ne drawn from our
selves, outside our present borders, and
we shall therefore be more ready to
forget our present differences. What
ever may be the true solution Of the
problems which will confront the coun-
try when the present war has come to
close, their final disposition will re-
quire the united wisdom of the peoples
leaders. | believe that when the time
for such action comes, the United
States land by that | mean the people
of the United States) will have policy
definite and decisive in dealing with
the situation.
But l would not base my predic-
tion Of an era Of good feeling merely
on the prospect of ma erial prosperity.
1t is my belief that The present univer-
sal manifestations of patriotism and
good will witnessed throughout the
country is not merely sudden out
burst, destined 10 die within few
weeks oil months; but deep-seated and
lasting feeling. 1t is the growth OF
years at last, finding its expression and
recognition in The necessity of resist
ance to foreign foe.
"The men and women of the younger
generation who have grown up since
| the close of the civil war cannot appre-
ciate what really wonderful thing it
II
is. Only those of us whose memo, les
extend back beyond the dire conflict
which strained the national fabric al
most to the breaking point, can fully
realize how deep were the wounds that
had been healed and how fierce the pas
sions that have been calmed. believe
| that the United States stands absolutely
alcne as nation, which after its peo-
pie have engaged in death grapple
which shook the national structure to
its foundation, has been able tc forgive
and forget all the animosities engen
dered by that conflict within the life
time Of the men who participated in it.
This, it seems to me, is the thing
which we should celebrate and over
which We should rejoice on the Fourth
of July, 1898. l thank God that have
lived 10 see this day. | congratulate
the North and the South and the whole
country upon it. The spectacle of the
veterans Of Blue and Gray marching
shoulder to shoulder, Of Fitzhugh Lee
and Joe Wheeler and Miles and Merritt
fighting under the same flag and fol
their common country, is to my MIND
The best Fourth of July procession w
| e..