The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-05-06
FROM FORT SUMPTER
To APP0MATTOX
Lessons of the Great Civil War Viii!
Never be Forgotten.
1t was on an April day in the

1t was on an April day in the
year of 1861, that the first shot
was fired in Charleston harbor
pagainst Fort Sumpter and the
gAmerican Flag. 1t was the first
shot of the great Rebellion that
followed, which reverberated
around the world, which finally
eliminated after four long years of
fratricidal war in which tens of
thousands of patriotic American
fathers and sons gave up their
lives in defence of their beloved
country and the Star Spangled
Banner, which they followed.
Rivers of blood ran thick through
out this vast and beautiful land of
ours to save it for the land of the
free and home of the brave.
After four wears of terrible war
and strife, the last faint echo Of
the Charleston shot at Fort Stump
ter died away on an April day in
1865, at Appomattox under an
apple tree, now famous in history,
for at Appomattox this nation was
born anew from a slaye country to
free country throughout her vast
domains. The American people
can now truthfully say we have a
free country, prosperous, happy
and reunited, and,
Then asked what state he halls from,
Our sole reply shall be,
He comes from Appomattox
And its famous apple tree
Mike o. REILLY these lines made
famous by the imperious Roscoe
Conklin in his speech nominating
Grant tor third term, have a wider
meaning, now a broader range and
application.
AppomattoX no longer means a
Virginia cross roads, but a mark
on the line Of march of nations,
nor does it merely indicate the
closing incident of a four year
fratricidal war, but rather the be-
ginning of new era in the history
of this country, and incidentally
4 great changes in political condi-
, tions throughout the world. APP
pomattox brought the United
States into the limelight 50 clear
ly that the world powers saw and
realized they had a new element
to reckon with. A world awaken
er in the following lines:
By the river bridge that arched the flood
Their flag to April breeze unfurled,
There once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard around the
world
1t was an April day that the
patriots stood at Concord bridge
and fired mortal defiance to tyrants
thereby declaring for freedom and
independence - Emerson. The
world heard the shot but did not
tremble nor did they fear any dis
turbance of world power. 1t was
on an April day Gas recited above
that shot was fired from a battery
in Charleston harbor that was
heard around the world that
aroused more or less apprehen-
sion in the minds of the ruling
powers. In most countries, es-
pecially Great Britain or the Brit
ish Government, it meant the de
struction of our government and
the establishment of slavery, while
in most Others it meant the de
struction of Republican form OF
government, but as the United
States was not then rated as a
world power, and only allowed
through courtesy to take part in
world affairs, there was little dan
ger of seriously disturbing the
equilibrium of the political world.
A keynote was sounded long time
ago when Patrick Henry exclaim.
ed, 81 am not Virginian, but an
American in the Continental Con-
gress." He then thought he was
speaking for himself alone, but in.
= stead he spoke for the million that
J followed him, and for the untold
millions yet to come.
That note Of neace that rano o,,t