The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-26
re- and the Tidewater and Piedmont Country

merical superiority at least four.fold
greater than the Beers. with superior
equipment and unlimited resources, the
British armies, more than 200, 600
strong, have been often outmaneuvered,
and often beaten by a force that prob.
ably does not exceed 60 900. We must
admit the brilliant defence made by the
two feeble republics in their heroic
fight against their gigantic adversary.
They have earned the right to have their
independence respected by generous
foe. And, when the unequal struggle
ends. as it must end before long, in the
occupation Of the Transvasl capital,
trost that public opinion in America
and Europe, and, above all, In Eng
land, will be 80 pronounced in favor Cf
magnanimous terms Of peace that the
British Government will recognize the
wisdom of granting such honorable con-
ditions Of settlement as may lead TO a
durable reconciliation.
THE NORTH AND SOUTH GETTING CLOSE
TOGETHER.
The most gratifying reflection we
can enjoy to-day is the thought tnat al
the opportunities Of growth and pros
perity are now equally shared by the
whole country. We are closer together
than ever before. Our institutions, our
social conditions, our systems Of labor,
our methods Of action. no longer dis
tinct are rapidly approaching similar
ity. The wonderful results Of genera
tion Of domestic tranquility are seen in
the stupendous development Of all our
industries-of our agriculture, manu-
faotures and commerce. and our means
Of education. Our cotton crop has in
creased from three million bales in 1870
20 eleven million bales in 1898 In 1870
Southern cotton mills took for home
consumption eighty thousand bales in
1899 one million four hundred and fif-
teen thousand bales. In 1870 our ex-
ports OF manufactured cotton were
worth four millions in 1899 they were
worth twenty.four millions. During
she past three years our traffic with
foreign nations shows a balance OF
trade in our credit Of fourteen hundred
million dollars. The total value Of our
trade with the outside world in 1870
was eight hundred and twenty eight
millions; iu 1899 il reached one thous-
and nine hundred and twenty.four mil
lions, In 1870 the value Of our exported
manufactures was sixty-eight millions
in 1899 il was three hundred and thirty
eight millioBs Our production OF steel
has increased from sixty-nine thousand
tons In 1870 to nine million tons in
1899. Our expectations Of agricultural
products increased from three hundred
and sixty.one millions in 1870 to seven
hundred and eighty.ive millions in
1899. The aggregate value Of our manu-
factures has increased from "a. 2S2, $780,
442 in 1870 to 50 ,S7s 4S7. .2Ss in 1899.
Our public schools, our academies, our
colleges, oar universities, our churches
our scientific achievements. our litera-
ture, our newspapers. and our charities
In aid Of the suffering. have all kept
psce with the marvellous steps Of Amer
ican development, placing the United
States in the foremost rank OF nations.
May this splendid manifestation OF di-
vine bounty temper all hearts, in this
fortunate land of ours, to peace and
good will. May bll our people, upon
whom nature and providence have be-
slowed such inexhsustible treasures,
comprehend that the future has every
blessing in store for us, so long as we
maintain our Union and preserve, un'
shaken. the brotherhood Of citizenship
upon which our strength lie founded.
To-day the South and North know
each other better than ever before. On
many battlefelds we learned TO respect
the courage, patriotism, devotion and
tenacity of which each side gave so
many splendid examples. We have all
been taught the inest'mabie value OF
our Union. We have seen that America
united commands Difference from all
the world. We now understand how
much each section Of the Republic con-
tributes to the prosperity Of the other.
We comprehend, at last, that 1t Is tne
providential destiny OF this union OF
States TO establish q commonwealth OF
freemen In which the principles an
nounced By jefferson In the Declaration
Of independence, and embodied in our
Constitution framed by the wisdom OF
the fathers. have provided q govern
ment for a great nation, more conserva-
tive than the oldest monarchy--stronger
than empires upheld ny q million bayo-
nets--and contributing more 70 the well
fare of Its people. than any fabric ever
before constructed by human hands.
The close Of the censury marks the end
of an era Of strife between the North
South. II inangurates an epoch Of rec
onciliation. The Potomac is no longer
boundary line between hostile sections
of the Republic. It is bridged BY the
ties Of fraternal love-it isspanned for
ever by the arch of allegiance to one
flag.
WIT OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
Ny visit to Fredericksburg recalls an
occasion in the Spring Of '6S. when
President Lincoln spent day ia my
camp near your city. / wish l could
describe the touching sadness Of Lin
colin 90 he rode through my lines and
-.