New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-31
HENRY WATTERSON AT LOUISVILLE.
TRIBUTE OF CONFEDERATE OFFICER AT

HENRI WAIIEKSON AL LOU LIS V Lille.
TRIBUTE OF CONFEDERATE OFFICER AT
GRAVES OF UNION SOLDIERS
Louisville. May 3O-Athough the day was gloomy
and dismal. with "a in threatened. the graves OF the
Union soldiers who sleep in the cemeteries Of Louis
vile and of New-Albeny. Ind. were lovingly decked
with flowers to-day. At the graves In this city there
was a beautiful musical service. followed by the
GRAFTON of the day. by Henry Watterson. Mr.. Wat
terson spoke In substance as follows:
The duty which draws us together and the day
although appointed by law-come TO us laden with
and the place which witnesses our coming invests
the occasion with increased solemnty and sig
niicance. Within the precincts OF this dread but
beautiful city, consecrated in all our hearts and all
our homes-for here lie our loved ones-two plots OF
ground. with only hillock between. have been
set aside TO mark the resting places OF the dead OF
two armies that in life were called hostie--the
Army OF the Union. the Army of the Confederacy;
fighting for the Union. Presently others shall come
to decorate the graves OF those who died lighting
for the Confederacy Yet II these fower-covered
could rise. not as disembodied spirits. but in flesh
and blood they would rejoice as we do that the
the Confederacy. swallowed up by the Union. lives
again in American manhood and brotherhood, sucp
as were contemplated BY the makers of the Repub-
To those Of us who were the comrades and con-
temporaries Of the dead that are buried here VINO
survived the ordeal of battle and who live to bless
the day, there Is nothing either strange or unnat
long time; we have seen it coming in the knship OF
the robust intercourse Of the forum and the market
place. in the sacred nterchanges Of the domestic
dren. who cannot distinguish between the grand
father who wore the blue and the grandfather
1t is required OF no man-whichever flag he served
under.that he ma Ike any remuneration shameful TO
children and each may safely leave to history tho
casting Of the balance between antagonists schools
essentials of fidelity and courage were so amply
met Nor Is IT the part OF wisdom 10 regret taIe
sections are dead issues The conflict which was
thought to be irreconcilable and was certainly in
evitable ended more than thirty years ago 1t was
fought to its bloody conclusion by fearless and
honest men. To some the result was Ioglcal-to
others 1t was disappolnting-to all It was final. AS
no man disputes IT, let no man depl9re ~, Let s US
nation. Let rather look upon it as into mirror
seeing not the desoatton of the past but the radl-
North and the new South. who contested in gen
erous rivalry up the fre,swept sleeps Of III Caney.
acter in the waters about CoTegidor Island ana
for the old North and the old South blent together
in union that knows neither point Of the COM
and has dung It's geography into the sea- sea; bo
hind us forever yet greater issues still rise dmly
upon the view; Who shall fathom them? VINO
what may lie beyond 1t Is enough for me to know
that have country. and that my country leads
bered fragments whole again; to see II like the
tabled bird Of w9ndrous pgmqse upon the Arabian
ashes OF a confederation that threatened to devour
IT. | nave watched II gradually uflolu Us mag
nincent proportions through alternating tracks OF
light and shade; have stood awe-struck In wonder
and fear lest the glorious fabric should fade into
darkness and prove but the insubstantial pageant
OF a vision when To- out Of the misty depths OF the
PARKWAY Pacific came the booming of Deweys guns,
quickly followed by the answering voice or the
guns OF Sampson and Shafter and Schley and
said 1T Is not dream. 1t is Gods promise re-
deemed With the night of sectional confusion
that is gone civil strife has passed from the scene
and i'm the light of the perfect day that has come
the Nation finds. the first fruit OF It's new birth
Of freedom another birth OF greatness and power
and renown." - $500,
Fully realizing the responsibilities OF this and the
duties that belong to IT, l. for one accept II, and
all that II brings with IL and implies. thankful that
I too am an American. Wheresoever It's star may
lead I shall follow. nothing loath or doubling;
though II guide the Nations footsteps to the fur
thermost ends OF the earth. Believing that In the
creation and preservation of the American Union
the hand OF the Almighty has appeared from mrs,
TO last: that His will begat IT, and that His WORD
has prevailed; that IN the War Of the Revolution
and in the Civil War the Incidents and accidents
OF battle left no doubt where Providence Inclined,
II the star that shines over us-at once sig
net OF Gods plan and purpose and a heaven-sent
courier Of civilization and religion-shall fix Itself
above the steppes of Asia and the sands or Africa
II shall but confirm In my faith that the Judg-
ments of the Lord are true and righteous alto
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