Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-30

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lille armies at the commencement of the
war was intense. but as the war progress
cry won the respect of their opponents.
The south lost three hundred thousand
soldiers in the. war, which fact alone at
tests their stubborn bravery. They We're
Americans and we cheerfnlly accord to
them bravery and even sincerity of pur-
pose. 1t is said that Mr.. Lincoln standing
lefghths where the confederates made
their fercest assault saidH"I am proud to
be the conntryman of theAmen who assall-
ed those heights.
The Grand Army of the Republic is com
posed of the survivors of the civil war. It
feelings of i'll will toward those who
maintain fraternal feelings to strengthen
atty to our country. Its motto is:
lone country and one flag.
We accord courage, fortitude and general
ship to those who fought against us. We
may even admit their honesty and sin.
cerity. of purpose. in the cause for which
tween the men who valiantly defended the
starry banner. and those who sought to
tear 1T from the sky.
But as the representatives of principles
there is ii world wide difference between
them.
we must forever luSlSt tnat we were
fighting for the right There is as broad a
gulf between fighting to maintain the gov
eminent, and fighting to destroy i, as
there is between the highest mountain
represented by Abraham Lincoln and Q. $.
Grant and the cause represented by Jeffer-
son Davis and Robert +. Lee.
We cannot forget nor suffer our children
to forget the stern and terrible lessons of
a causeless war-lessons which wisdom
cannot cease to remember, nor patriotism
cease to deplore.
The surviving soldiers of the war may
well feel patriotic pride as they contem-
plate the present happy condition of our
country.
When Torn Asunder.
their country divided, distracted and torn
and great armies marching to each others
destruction. They have lived to see the
rebellion eopquer ts and the norm non a he
fore. Eleven states have been added to
the Union. the population has Increased
from 32000.0O0 to 7S,000,00o. A nation of
contented and prosperous people, great in
war and peace, has stepped into the front
ranks of the worlds great powers.
A nation strong enough to protect the
rights of it's citizens on the land and on
Not the least gratifying result is the uni
fcation of our country. The unfriendly
feeling between north and south nth has grad grad,
have been extended-the mutual relations
and dependence of each section upon the
other, and the unity of interests in our
domestic and foreign relations have become
better understood and appreciated. feel
ing of friendship has developed between
the Federal and Confederate soldiers which
augurs. we'll for the future peace and vel
fare of our country.
During the past few years the south has
given unmistakahle evidences of its loyal
ty to the Union.
and Confederate soldiers to unite in re-
unions and on Memorial day to decorate
the graves Of the oldiers who fought under
Grant and those who fought under Lee.
| In the war with Spain the south furnish
ed its full quota of soldiers. and the Sons
lof Veterans who fought for the Union,
and the Sons of soldiers who fought for
the lost cause. served side by side under
the stars and stripes, and were led in bat
tie by generals who were selected from
the north and from the south. and by sop:
who had served in the Confederate army.
The president of the United States has
lately passed through the south and every
where was received in manner betting
the chief executive, of great nation. and
with cordially that is gratifying to the
loyal citizens Of the republic.
Visited Southern BattIefieIds.
| 1t was my privilege a short time ago, in
4 visit some of the battle6elds of the war
| Corinth, Chattanooga. Lookout Mountain
Chicamauga and Vicksburg. At the latter
place reception was given the comrades
We're made by those who had taken part II
the Siege. breathing spirit of loyalty ant
friendship Strange and romantic thoughts
change of friendly greetings between those
| who thirty eight years before had stood il
the line of battle. and with all the destruc
ton engines of war, had sought to take
Passing over the battlefields we find that
nature has done its part to heal the
wounds Of war, and hide the scars of Tho
bore our war ships past the rugged bluffs
frowning with 196 hostile cannons, has
changed its course and refuses to flow
| past the scene Of fratricidal carnage
i Comrades:-Thirty-s years have passed
since the close of the great struggle. You
have been spared to see the unihcation o
your country, and to witness the nlaryelou
growth and development of the Great Re
public you fought to maintain.
/ 1t was Pericles, believe, who said tina
The whole earth is the sepulchre of Illus
ii than the soldiers who sacrifices their live
Monuments and statues have been erect
ga m the he asmes y Of her epe
Il When Napoleon returned from Italy wit
his victorious army he erected grea
Arch Of Triumph. which still stands. acros
one of the finest streets of Paris. and VI
4 der which his brave soldiers marched wit
the proud tread of c0nquerors. But no MOI
ument in all the world is equal to TIL
Great Republic erected and preserved b
the yalor of American soldiers
Above the grandeur and beauty of sculI
ture or art or power Of eloguence, stand
"A the Onion preserved its great arch like
bow of promise extending from ocean /
A ocean. This is the soldiers monument an
let us hope that 1t will be as enduring a
the stSfs in heaven.
], The government has In the main deal
.. fairly with It's soldiers. Pensions hav
been granted to those who We're wounde
and disabled, but let us frankly admit nc
, to all who are entitled to them. The mul
murs which have sometimes been heard q
the magnitude of the pension list have nc
fallen On sympathetic ears.
d The American people remember the ma,
nitude of the rebellion, and the loyal pei
pie of this nation will never cease to homo
and care for it's patriotic soldiers.
The great leaders are gone, and the vas
majority of once mighty army are a
!, ready tenting on the far shore.
ION fame's eternal camping ground,
: Their silent tents are spread
! And glory guards with every round,
/ The bivouac of the dead
!. Fellow citizens:-The soldiers who y
buried here were your neghbors, friend
! and relatives. You gave them loyal SUI
port in their patriotic endeavors to say
: md an affectionate farewell when the