The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-21
GEN. HAMILT0N'S ADDRESS.
delivered AT THE CONFEDER-
ATE MEMORIAL SERVICE.


If thA Confederate dead at Camp Chase
columbus, O., by Gen. w. D. Hamilton of
zanesville, o. Gen. Hamilton is the father
nj Mrs Gillette wife of Capt. Cassius E.
Gillette. engineer in charge of the Savan-
nah river Improvements. The address was
published in full for the first time last Sat
prdav in the GAINESVILLE Times-Recorder:
At the memorial service in honor Of the
Confederate dead t. Camp Chase. Colum-
bus. the most notable address of that very
notable occasion was delivered by Gen. w.
ID Hamilton of this city. There has been
such a general demand for il that The
Times Recorder is pleased to be able to re-
nroduce ii in full:
Nv Friends-It is easy TO hate our enc
mics. 1t is natural to retain spirit OF
cnmity against those who have injured us.
1t is the mission of Christianity TO give
us lessons of forgiveness; and the Son OF
God came from heaven to teach us not
only TO forgive our enemies but TO love
In Ibis there is an inference that we
ourselves may have given some cause to
make enemies, and that there is something
good and loVable even IN those who differ
Il is not our province to. discuss the
cause of our civil war. IL is enough for
us TO know that these men buried here
were innocent. II cannot be traced to the
men who took the field on either side. Its
origin was embodied in the constitution
of slavery when it was formed and came
down to us through nearly a century of
bitter legislative contention and was final
lv disposed of in that bloody court OF
which we and they formed a part
During all this time the social relations
between the sections became less and less
cordial and the business intercourse more
and more strained
We cultivated the habit of belittlng all
that was good and maguifying all that
was bad in each other that when the
contest came it was a struggle between the
so-called mechanics and small-fisted far
mers of the North and the domineering
slave drivers and arrogant aristocrats of
the South.
The war brought destruction and left I'M
tod sorrow but ii cleared away the OBJ
stacles to better knowledge of each 9TH
our former impressions were entirely up
set by the wonderful courage and noble
ness of character displayed on both sides
Never were armies composed of men
more earnest in their efforts, intensified if
possible during the last two years as the
forces of the South were driven back to
become the defenders of their homes
against the increasing strength of a pow
Il is little wonder that the women of the
South, whose homes were ruined, and the
women of the North, whose sons lie scat
tered in unknown graves, should retain a
feeling of bitterness.
Heart wounds were given which sad
dened the life of a generation and have
masnifed the task of Cancellation which
the best men and women on 10th sides
have undertaken and which these floral
tributes to the Confederate dead to-day
are designed to promote.
on occasions like this we feel that there
IS a holiness in flowers. They are the
mute companions OF our purest thoughts
and give expression to our tenderest SYM
pathies. They are angels from the realm
of nature employed TO bear our message
of affection to the dead.
The fraternal spirit which prompts our
presence here to-day is the harbinger of a
time when the American people. will gather
annually, bringing the roses of the North
and the magnolia blossoms of the South
as a tribute to American valor to strevV
on the graves of every soldier who fell in
battle or died in prison for a cause which
ne had been taught from pulpit and from
family altar to believe was right.
We do not need to approve the cause
they displayed I look upon our good
President. Mr. Mckinley of Ohio, Cen
JJohn B. Gordon of Georgia, and Gen. Joe
Wheeler of Alabama, as the inspired
prophets of reconciliation, and I win in
Guide the honored chairman of this assem-
bly. and the noble company of ex-Confed-
crate soldiers of Kentucky, who recently
United in sending a floral shield containing
Pe banner of the Stars and Stripes borne
4lott by the supporting arms of the Blue
4nd Gray, as their contribution 10 our
Memorial day.
II may be that the spirits of those we
desire to honor are far bcvOnd the reach
q these little tokens of our remembrance
hut like the influence of prayer, the act
VIII serve benediction to ourselves and
.plolnPl US IN the spirit or that heroic poem
at Gettysburg, Ito highly resolve to ded-
icate ourselves anew to the work. of heal
l4g the wounds and cementing the bonds
that unite our common country
II should be the mission and first duty
OF every lover of his country to encourag e
me social and business intercourse be-
tween the sections that we may become
better acquainted with and appreciate the
Sop1 qualities of each other.
~ nave mingled much with the people of
we south and have a high regard for
tuttn. Iney trace with lust pride their
descent from the clans of Scotland the
IIaValleFs- of England, and Huguenots of
Coming down through $50 years, almost
unchanged by immigration, which they
lever eourted, they have contributed their
tun snare to the development of a distinc-
I'VE type of American character, which
led9s the Saxon race in courage, oratory
and invention.
Their mode of life made them courtly
ana hospitable. Their gallantry and pride
iiudde them elegant and brave. They mad
!neen educated TO believe that their pecu-
mar institution was right; that it had the
protection of the constitution and the sane
ton Of divine law
When the crisis came they flew to arms
10 maintain their view ofGhe constitution
even at the expense of the union, while we
u, tne North took up arms to preserve the
Nir,Qn even at the risk of the constitution.
we frankly concede to the South all that
IHty calm in the way of fortitude and
courage That their field marshals were
unsurpassed in history; that their field
Hnd line officers were gallant gentlemen
ana that the rank and file of their arme S
displayed a courage and endurance whic
ADDED ulster TO the American character.
we 90 not forget however, that they
were met on more than hundred battle-
aS,ds and finally vanquished by arme
ulso American, greater and bette
oIulpped, IL rs true but composed of off
Gers and men whose skin and courag 2
were least equal to their own.
g. ne result of the struggle has sealed tn
ib5le Of slavery. throughout the world, bu
SHe greatest blessing is brought to the
south through the liberation Of the viii &c
sIce and the removal Of the embargo til al
si1Very had placed upon Southern dewel-
Upthcht. Ar classes frankly admit Ii at
WY would not leave the union now ror
ISirnstate slavery if they could.
Ihey met their reverseS without humin-
iallon' like a brave people and when moth
Ms was left Of their former life they bfl-
7t1H aueW without murmur proud od
'ITir pride and their poverty.
ney never ceased 90 be loyal to then-
Sn.lFes and their traditions and cherish
Win 2 natural and pardonahle pride the |
memory OF their fallen heroes and loved !
Cge3 and although they feel as many OF |
u.s. 20 that the extension of the franchise |
~ lhS eN-slavtg was premature, and the |