Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-30


people here. In part, he said:
Comrades. Ladies and conference.-the
brightest chapter in Ohio's history Is that
in which is recorded her part in the civil
war. She gave to the Union cause more
than 100000 of the best and bravest of her
sons.
They were not only distributed among
| the different arms of the service-the in
fantry, cavalry and artilery-but they were
also distributed among all the armies of the
nation. so that some of them participated
in every great battle and campaign of the
war. On every field. and in every relation.
and under all circumstances, they distln-
guished themselves for their bravery and
devotion to duty. They were of themselves
a mighty army. thoroughly organized. Of
ficered, drilled and disciplined.
They were not only thus distinguished
for their services. but they were also and
particularly distinguished because from
among their numbers were supplied the
greatest commanders Of that great strug-
gle.
Names That Will Live.
Grant, Sherman, Sheridan and McPher-
son are only a few of the names of Ohio
soldiers that will live as long as great deeds
are remembered and honored among men.
When we think of the war we are apt to
recall only the soldiers and the great gen.
erals and their mighty deeds of valor. We
see again with our mental vision the uni
formed battalions with their futtering flags,
cleaning bayonets and flashing sabers-
the marching columns the advancing lines,
the clash Of arms. and the smoke and flame
of battle
We hear once more the shrill martial
music. the rattle Of musketry. the roar Of
artillery, the shrek OF shells. the kissing of
the bullets, and the groans of the dying
made tolerable only by the Justice and tri-
umph Of their cause.
Another Field Of Endeavor.
This pomp and circumstance are so fas-
cinating that in our contemplation We for
get that there was another field Of en-
deavor connected with that great contest
equally as important; another work. with
out which bravery and heroism. battles and
death would have been in vain.
The Union could not have been saved
without the soldiers who battled at the
front; neither could 1t have been saved
without the work that was done by the men
Crooks were Indispensable. but SO. too. were
the clear-headed, iron willed stantons.
Some Congratulations.
Steubenville can be congratulated that
among her contributions to that great
struggle were the most splendid representa-
tives Of all that was brave and heroic on
the one part and all that was involved in
wise and patriotic craftsmanship on the
other. In a superlative degree the gallant
McCooks represented the one and the mas
terful Stanton represented the other.
No other community in all our broad land
can make similar claim with equal pro-
priety. No one family did more on the
coin, did more in the councils Of the ma
ton.
1t was one thing to go straightforward
and execute public policy or a plan of
campaign after 1t was approved and de-
termined upon. but a widely different thing
to determine what good policy required or
what should be the plan of campaign.
Among the most Incorporating friends
of the Union cause there was most dis
tressing conflict of opinion. This difference
existed not only to the policies to be
pursued, but also as to the powers of the
government to execute them.
Our form of government was still in its
experimental stages. Our powers had not
been fully developed. Great controversies
as to the proper construction Of our or
ganic law were still unsettled.
A Constitutional Issue.
On the most vital points we were at fatal
thorized. The war itself was based on a
constitutional issue. What was the ma
ture of the Constitution? Was 1t a COM
pact between states from which any state
could withdraw according to its pleasure?
Or was 1t the organic law Of the whole
people and as such binding on states and
people alike? Was the Union formed at
will, or was 1t perpetual? Were we a con-
federacy or were we a nation, one and In
With Appomattox came the final estab-
lishment of the national idea.
From that moment no one has doubted the
permanence Of our Institutions. We have
added state after state to the Union. We
nave planted our flag upon far distant
islands Of the seas; our wealth has multi
piled and our population has increased al
most incredibly.
ditions of life have CORRESPONDENCE i'm
proved. We have higher and better stand
ards Of intelligence and morality for both
public and private life.
1t IS fundamental Idea of our govern
ment not only that We should have these
separate. Independent and coordinate de-
partments. but that, save only as the con-
stitution provides. neither one should have
any right to coerce, control or in any man.
ner interfere with either of the others
1t is as much our duty to resist practices
that are in disreard of such provisions now,
in time Of peace, as 1t was. In greater de-
gree, to struggle for their preservation In
time of war.
With these coming changes the great
blessings Of a written constitution will, If
we adhere to its provisions. become year by
year more and more manifest.
But II we tolerate the idea that we may
lightly evade or disregard its provisions un-
der supposed emergency, and upon the the
DRY that the good that can be Secured will
more than counterbalance the harm that
may be done. we shall soon be adrift with
out chart or compass. Then 1t is that the
man on horseback will be due to arrive
We have been singularly fortunate in al
ways having a patriotic, liberty-loving man
in the White House, from whom no such
danger could be apprehended. but the time
may come when it will be different. We can
not hope to always escape misfortune.
Prostitution of Public Patronage.
class Of announcements appearing in
the newspapers almost daily prompts the
mention of one Of the greatest but least ap-
preciated-the prostitution of public patron
age.
The average American would indignantly
resent any effort to improperly influence him
which he would recognize as such. but
would regard an assignment of official duty
of almost any character as only natural
and deserved recognition of his ability and
fitness for the public Service, for which he
as a man Of honor should feel duly crate