The sun., 1898-11-18

stated in the letter that owing to death
in his family be would be unable to at.
tend the meeting.
Daniel Ross, chairman, then intro
duced William Michael Byrne, who was
enthusiastically greeted with applause
by the audience.
Mr.. Byrne said in part:
"Appomattox is the glory of America.
On that immortal field victorious gen.
eral refused to accept the sword Of van
quished brother. The chivalry of Grant
and the courtIiness Of Lee are the rich
legacies Of q united people. The same
generation that saw the streams Of the
South running their courses to the sea
red with the best blood Of our American
soldiers now beholds the two sections
locked in q love embrace unseverable
till the last syllable Of recorded time. To
Lincoln was the glory given to prevent
the dismemberment Of the Republic; to
Mckinley has been given the high privi-
lege of healing the last wound of that
tremendous conflict. An eye less single
to the general good might have failed
to perceive the great home potenti-
alitles Of the Spanish war, but Mckinley
alert and watchful of the profound inter
ests imposed upon him by the voice Of
the people, struck down the last barrier
OF sectionaIism by appointing to high
command in the armies Of the United
States those veteran soldiers of the
South, the gallant Fitz Hugh Lee and
fighting Joe Wheeler. Tonight around
our peaceful camp fire there shoulders
not spark of sectional hatred, not an
ember Of bitter memory; and every
Southern soldier can find beneath the
badge Of the Grand Army a brother and
friend.
"Wars and their rumors have troubled
nations from the beginning; but however
desirous We may be for peace, our inter-
ests are sometimes best served by con-
vincing the world that we are able to
fight. All American wars have increased
the glory Of the American cause. Next
in importance to the War for Independ-
ence was the war for Preservation we
waged with the Southern Confcderacy.
The conflict ushered in by the shot at
Sumter resulted in the banishment of
the last vestige of inequality under the
flag OF the Republic. The record of that
memorable strife fills full the cup OF
fame held by the American soldier. Yonr
priceless services to your country in its
hour Of darkest peril have secured
to you the undying gratitude of those
loving their State ana their country.
In the great strus gle with the southern
States grandly did you sustain the name
and fame Of Delaware. There are those
tonight hearing my voice, who at
Reame's Sta ion lighting under Hancock,
the superb, and shoulder to shoulder
with the brave boys OF the Fifth New
Hampshire, under Col. Cross, faced
death fearless as lions. There and else.
where did every opponent soon learn
tha, the chickens of the Blue Hen were
game fighters. Again unuer little Mac
at ALtletam, you fought In fast company
when your bayonets cleaned whe the
fight was hottest, side by side with
Meagher and his brave Irshmen. And
at Gettysburg, where ii ever the fate of
our Republic was hanging in the balance
you formed part of the bulwark that
stood immovable against the on-cominp
columns of the victorious South, And
Gen. Banks at Sabine Pass cni:.l rive a
good account Of our brave bows of the
Delaware battery working like tigers to
snatch our boats from the verv laws of
the Confederate hosts. And SO could the
roll be called and Delaware's name from
the first shot Of the war to the eventful
day at Appomattox where our BOYS saw
Grant VIGOROUSLY triumphant but
modest, will be found high on the honor
list OF the Army of the Potomac.
II congratulate you upon your splen-
did organization formed to perpetuate
the memory Of your valiant deeds. In
war you served your country we'll; in
peace your organized force has always
been power for good in public affairs.
In our republic no organization az power.
iul as the Grand Army can fail to in.
fluence our public life. What will be the
influence OF the Grand Army, will it be
good or will it be bad? 1t will be what
the Grand Army itself makes it. Never
did the State Of Delaware stand more in
need than now Of the best services of her
sturdy sons. Now If ever must we run
up the flag of honor in public life,
the people must demand that the
State be guided not by mere adventur-
ers nor those whose only distinction is
based on the low tricks Of artful politics.
The need now is for men identified by
family and fortune with this State, calm
in Judgment, inhexible in honor. r..
spected at home, esteemed abroad. Will
the Grand Army and kindred societies
use their influence for such standards?
Luckily for Delaware we are not without
credit in our public life. Every lover Of
the State rejoced to behold the Judges of
our courts IN the recent elections laying
aside all traditions OF political attach,
ment and discharging their duties with
an eye single to the public good. Iucoi-
ruptlole, fearless and learned the Judi
ciary OF Delaware stands the peer of an
in the Union"
''The clean, honorable and capable ad-
ministration Of the executive branch of
our State government reflects honor upon
the gentleman now the Governor of our
State, and wins for him the applause Of