Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-09-17

calculable calamity, not only for our
~people-ant most Of all for those who,
In such event would have seemingly
triumphed--but for all mankind. The
great American Republic would have
become a memory Of derislon: and the
failure OF the experiment Of self.gov-
eminent by a great people on a great
scale would have delighted the heart
of every foe OF republican institu-
lions. Our country, now so great and
so wonderful, would have been split
into little iangling rival n~ationalities,
each with a history both bloody n
| contemplate. 1t was because you,
the men who wear the button OF the
| Grand Army, triumphed In those dark
years that every American now holds
his head high, proud In the knowledge
that he belongs to d nation whose glo-
rions past and great present Will be
succeeded BY an even mightier ~.
ture. whereas had you failed we
would all of us. north and south, east
and west, be now treated BY other ma
lions at the best with contomptuous
tolerance; at the worst with oyerbear-
Inc insolence.
Moreover, every friend Of liberty,
every believer in self. government,
every idealist who wished 70 see his
ideals take practical shape, wherever
liz might be In IN world, knew tfa:
The success Of all II which he mos
believed was bound up with the sue.
cess OF the union armies in this great
struggle. confidently predict that
when the final judgment OF history
ii recorded 1t will be said that IN no
other war OF which we have written
record was 1t more vitality essential
for the welfare Of mankind that VIC
tory should rest where II finally rest
ed. There have been other wars FOR
individual freedom. There have been
other wars for national greatness. INT
there has never been another wal n
which the issues at stake we're so
large, looked at from either stand
point. We take Just pride In the great
deeds of the men Of 177G, but we must
keen in mind that the Revolutionary
war would have been shorn OF wei.
nigh hi, its results had the side or
union and liberty been defeated IN
the civil war. In such case we should
merely have added another to the "a.
mentally long list Of cases IN when
pcoples have shown that after winning
their liberty they are wholly unable
to make good use Of II.
II now rests with us In civil lie 20
make good BY our deeds the deeas
which You who wore the blue did IN
the great years from 'Gt to 40. Inc
patriotism. the courage. the unfiinch'
ing resolution and %steadfast endnr
ance OF the soldiers whose triumph
was crowned at Appomatox must %
supplemented on our part by ciVi'
honesty, cool sanity, and steadfast 40
herence TO the immutable laws Q
!, righteousness. You have left us q re
united country: reunited In fact a
/ well Ms In name. You have left us IN
right OF brotherhood with your gallan
foes who wore the gray; tho right Z
i feel pride In their courage and incl
| high fealty TO an ideal, even thougl
I they warrcd against the stars if Incl
. courses. You left us also the mos
/ splendid example Of what brotherhood
: really means: for In your careers 20
/. showed In practical fashion that %
only safety In our American life lie
! in spurning the accidental distinction
which sunder ono man from another
. and in paying homage to each ma
only because or what he essentially 10
. In stripping on the husls Of occup'
/ tion, q position. Or accident, until VI
r soul stands forth revealed, and "
/ know the man only because oil n
!, worth as q man.
i There was no patent device TOT =
i curing victory by force Of arms fort
. years ago. and there Is no patent q
0 Vice for securing victory for tn
. forces Of righteousness in civil ~
now. In each ase the allimportar
factor was and is the character q th
individual man. Good laws In III
state. like a good organization IN a
y army, are tho expressions Of nations
character, Leaders will be deyelope
= III military and In civil life alike; an
h weapons and tactics change from gel