The National tribune., 1900-04-12

and prayers of all mankind The Presi-
dent wrote:
This is essentially a peoples contest.
On the side of the Union it is struggle
for maintaining in the world that form and
substance of Government whose leading
object is 70 elevate the condition of men,
to lift artificial weights from all shoulders
to clear the paths of laudable pursuits for
all; to afford all an unfettered start and
fair chance in the race of life. Yielding to
partial and temporary departures, from
necessity, this is the leading object of the
Government for whose existence we con-
tend. | am most happy to believe that
the plain people understand and appreciate
this IL is worthy of note that while in
this the Governments hour of trial large
numbers of those in the army and navy
who have been favored with the offices
have resigned and proved false to the hand
which had pampered them, not one COM
mon soldier or common sailor is known to
have deserted his flag. Great honor is
Que TO those officers who remained true.
despite the example of their treachcrou
associates: but the greatest honor. and
most important fact of all, is the unanimous
flrmneSS OF thdeommou soldiers and common
sailors. To the last man, sefar as known.
they have successfully resisted the traitor
Gus efforts of those whose commands but an
hour before they obeyed as absolute law
Iins Is the patriotic instinct of plain people
They understand, without an argument, |
tliat the destroying the Government which
was made by Washington means no good
to them. . Our popular Government has
often been called an experiment. Two
points in it our people have already settled
the successful establishing and the success
ful administering of it. One still remains
ItS SnpppSSfDI 30.
midable Internal attempt to overthrow i
1t is now for them to demonstrate to the |
world that those who can fairly carry an
election, can also suppress a rebellion;
that ballots are the rightful and peaceful
successors Of bullets; and that when bal |
lots have fairly and conSttutiOnally de |
clhed, there can be no successful appeal |
back to bullets; that there can be no sue
ceSSful appeal, except to ballots themselves |
at succeeding elections. Such will be a |
great lesson of peace; teaching men that |
what they cannot take by an election,
neither can they take by Il war; teaching |
all the folly of being the beginners of |
war"
GATHERING OF TROOPS IN WASHING |
TON-REYIEWS AND PARADES.
Through tie early Summer of 1861 |
Washington was alive with the prepara- !
tions for Il military movement against |
the enemy in Virginia. Troops from the |
North were constantly arriving, and as |
rapidly as possible wore assigned to differ |
ent organizations and drilled in the art of
war. Mr.. Lincoln was necessarily en-
gagged in urging forward these active |
preparations. He was in daily conference
with the officers Of the army and of the
War Department, and was present at in
numcrablc reviews and parade5 Of the
soldiers.
The Ith Of July was memorable for q
md Of
and about the city. 1t was brilliant and
impressive scene. Says 4 spectator. Hon.
A. G.. Riddle: AS they swept paSt-25-
900 boys in blne-their muskots flashing
bands playing, and banners waving, /
stood near distinguished group surround
ing the President, ard noted his counten-
ance as he turned to The massive moving
column. All about him were excited.
confident. cxultant. He stood silent, pale.
profoundly sad, as though his prophetic
soul saw what was to follow. He seemed
to be gazing beyond the splendid pageant
before him. upon things hidden from other
eyes Was there preSagcd to him a vision
Of that grandar review of our victorious
armies at the close Of the war, which he
was not to sce:"
THE DISASTER AT BULL RUN-MR.
LINCOLN SUMS IT UP.
A few days later all the troops in Wash
ngton crossed the Long Bridge and
marched, gallant and cxultant, Straight
toward the enemy in Virginia. The ad-
vance of our army resulted, on the 21st of
July, in the shameful disaster at Bull
Run The North was filled with surprise
and dismay,, and even the stoutest hearts
were htrdened with anxiety for the future
Mr.. Lincoln at first shared somewhat in the
general depression, but his elastic spirits
quickly rallied from the shock Three or
Our days after the battle, some gentlemen
who had been on the field called upon him.
He inquired very minuteIy regarding all
ne circumstances OF the affair, and after
listening with the utmost attention. said
with a touch of humor: $50 it's yOIr
notion that we whipped the rebels, and
hen ran away from them."
CTo be continued) 4