St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-05-29

done they had them. Then came the
deed that will make Chattanooga forever
famous. Without orders, only feeling
how difficult their position in that lower
line of pits must be, by sudden common
instinct those volunteers discerned the
hand of opportunity held out to them.
1t seemed to beckon from that high and
difficult crest above. And at it's bidding
those men did what was unexpected and
what seemed impossible. Up they went
scarce seeing whether they were led or
not. Running here, creeping on hands
and knees yonder, clambering by the aid
of twigs or of a fellows shoulders, it is
suddenly done and with the winning of
that crest Bragg's army melts from be-
fore the beleaguered city as the mists in
which Hooker fought had melted from
Lookout Mountain when the north. wind
came.
1t was a splendid episode of battle.
But it was more. 1t was more. 1t
was significant of the keenness to
discern opportunity which the volun-
teer exhibited throughout the war and
which was of such enormous Importance
to the nation when the time came for her
to disband her armies and try to gather
up the threads of peace again. The ques-
ton upon which the country's ability to
recuperate from the strain and stress of
war depended, was not merely one OF
public policy. 1t lay in considerable
measure outside the sphere OF congress
or cabinet. 1t was primarily question
of Individual and social ability, and ca
pacity.
No sooner was the war over than men
who had become veterans in it began to
look around them for some reckoning
hand of opportunity, precisely as the
twenty thousand on the lower slope of
Missionary Ridge glanced up and saw
their chance above them. Without wait
ing for provision to be made for them,
they turned their Astounding energy and
their disciplined bodies and minds into a
thousand channels of bene6cent activity.
Some of them went back to old trades
or professions. Some of them pushed
out into new ones. American enterprise,
famous before, became thrice famous
now. Men who could support them
selves scorned to wait with idle hands
for government support-a generous
scorn which l adjure you, veterans, to
cherish for yourselves, for your organiza-
ton, and to teach your sons, if you
would forever keep untarnshed that fair
fame that you have won.
Thus the third great question of those
days was answered and the republics
future, under God, assured.
| must not stop to recapitulate. Hope
there is no need Nor need l delay to de-
velop further the lessons of patience under
calamity, OF steadfastness and devotion
in the day of extreme crisis, of courage
Gus enterprise on the morning Of oppor-
tunity, which the three great names of
charlottesville, Gettysburg and Chatta-
nooga have suggested. They are full of
meaning to us as people-equally full of
meaning to us as individual men.
1t all comes to this. There is no safety
to a man or to people except in har-
mony between the outer and the inner
lite. No form of government can make
us free, except as we respect our own
freedom and the freedom of every other
man. No high.sounding sentiments can
make US great, except as we cherish
magnanirnity of heart. No wealth or
force of arms can give us continuance in
the high places of the earth except as we
do justly, and love mercy, and walk
humbly with our God.
Omitted States the ages plead
Present and Past in undersong,-
Go put your creed into your deed,
Nor speak with double tongue"