Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-06

do not mean that in the North alone
there was this austcrc wrestling with con-
science. In the South Is well, below all the
cncrvescence and excitement of people
perhaps more given to eloquent speech
than we were. there was the profound
agony OF question and answer, the sum-
mons to decide whether honor and free
dom did not call them to revolution and
war. 1t is easy for craftsmanship to say
that the one side was right and that the
other was wrong. 1t is still easier for an
irdolent magnanimity to say that both
were right. Perhaps in the wide view
of ethics one is always right to follow his
conscience. though it lead him to disaster
and death. But history is inoxorablc
She takes no account Of sentiment and
intention; and in her cold and luminous
eyes that side is right which fights in
harmony with the stars in their courses
The men are right through whose efforts
and struggles the world is helped onward,
and humanity moves to a higher level and
a brighter day.
The men who are living and who werc
young in 1860 will never forget the glory
and glamour that filled the earth and the
sky when the long twilight of doubt and
uncertainty was ending and the time of
action had come. A speech by Abraham
Lincoln was an event not only of high
moral significance, but of far-reaching
Importance: the drilling of "A militia com
attention; the fluttering of the flag in the
clear sky drew tears from the eyes of
young men. Patriotism, which had been
rhetorical expression, became pas
sonate emotion, in which instinct, logic,
and feeling were fused. The country was
worth saving. ii could be saved only by
fire; no sacrifice was too great: the young
men of the country were ready for the
sacrifice; come veal, come woe, they were
ready.
At II years of age William Mckinley
heard this summons of his country. He
was the sort of youth to whom n military
life in ordinary times would possess no
attractions. His nature was far different
from that of the ordinary soldier. lie had
other dreams of life. its prizes and plea
strcS, than that of marches and battles.
But to his mind there was no choice or
question. The banner floating in, the morn
ing breeze was the reckoning gesture of
his country. The thrilling notes of the
trumpet called him-him and none other
into the ranks. His portrait in his first
uniform is familiar to YOU all-the short,
stocky figure; the quiet, Thoughtful face
the deep. dark eyes. 1t is the face of a lad
who could not stay at home when h.
thought he was needed in the field. He wa
of the stuff of which good soldiers arr
made. Had he been ten years older h.
would have entered at the head of "a com
pany and come out at the head of a divis
ion But he did what he could. lie enlisted
as "a private; he learned to obey. His ser
ious sensible ways, his prompt, alert eff
cheney soon attracted the atten-
ton of his superiors He was
SO faithful in little things they gave him
more and more to do. lie was untiring IN
camp and on the march; swift, cool and
fearless in fight. He left the army witt
field rank when the war ended. brevettcd
by President Lincoln for gallantry in
battle.
on coming years when men seek to draw
the moral of our great civil war nothine
will seem to them so admirable in all tn,
history of our two magnificent armies a.
the way III which the war came to a close
When the Confederate army saw the timc
had some, they acknowledged the pitiles.
logic of facts, and ceased lighting. WhcI
he army Of the Union saw it was no longer
needed. without Il murmur or question
making no terms. asking no return. In tn
flush Of victory ana fulncss of might. if
laid down its arms and melted back int.
the mass of peaceful citizens There l.
no event, since the nation was born, whicf
has so proved its solid capacity for self
government. both sections share cquall'
in that crown of glory. They had had a
debate OF incompatible Importance am
had fought it out with equal energy. \
. conclusion had been rcaChcd-and it is &c
the everlasting honor of both sides that
they each knew when the war was Over
and the hour of Il lasting peace had struck
We may admire the desperate DARING Of
others who prefer humiliation to con pro-
mise, but the palm of common sense, and
] will say. of enlightened patriotism, b."
longs to tho men like Grant and Lee, who
knew when they had fought enough, fol
honor and for country.
William Mckinley. one of that sensible
million of mon. gladly laid down his svorC
and Iptttit himself his books HI