The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-06-03
DAY DULY OBSERVED
Continued from Pa0a Ora

terest, came to look upon it as a posi-
tive good, necessary to their very
existence, and to be passionately de-
tended against all suggestion of en-
croachment.
But while this great wrong was be-
coming established with such appar-
ent permanency, the forces for its de-
struction we're engendering, develop.
ing and marshaling.
Ihe north, under altogether different
conditions, with clearer vision unob-
scured by real or imaginary interest,
early saw and comprehended the great
wrong involved. Famous agitators
aroused the convictions of the people.
Abolitionist societies we're formed.
Ihe struggle was carried into the
legislatures, the courts and into con-
gress. Various compromises between
the conflicting interests we're attempt-
cd. But there can be no permanent
compromise with evil.
In 1909, in the Kentucky border
lana, from among the common people
mat ne came to know and love so
WE'LL the great Emancipation was born.
HIS growth and development we're
such as to peculiarly fit him for the
great task in store for him. On a trip
to New Orleans he first beheld the true
horrors of slavery. There he saw
negroes in chains-whipped and
scourged." There he saw young girls
sold amidst the brutal surroundings
OF the slave auction. The whole pro-
ceeding was so revolving as to arouse
IN him an uncomfortable hate, and
he plunged away, exclaiming, "* X X
boys, let's get away from this. If
ever get a chance to hit that thing,
I'll hit it hard!''
Later on, his great speeches not
only awakened and enlightened the
nation, but amazed and astounded the
world with their powerful and ire
slstlble logic. he made new appli-
cation of the old truth that "a house
divided against itself cannot stand"
The burden of his prophecy was:
This government cannot endure per-
manently half slave and half free.''
His opportunity came. The lines
we're drawn closer and tighter. The
stress and strain we're tremendous.
The flag was fired upon and the war
of secession was on. Men realized as
never before that they had a country
that their native land was in peril.
The calls for troops aroused the most
intense patriotism.
'Breathes there man with soul so dead
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!''
Not in the north. The response to
the call was instantaneous and tumul-
tuous. The armies of the south, un-
doubleday believing they we're in the
right, but blinded and fred by mis-
guided zeal, strove to beat down their
country in defense of their peculiar
institutions. The great armies of the
north fought in her defense in support
of the old flag, and in the cause of
human liberty. And so was waged
the iercest war of history.
Thrice is he armed that hath his
quarrel just
There could be but one result.
From behind the frowning providence
came forth the smiling face. The
right prevailed. The nation was
saved. Liberty was established.
Did you ever wonder why these
veterans, with their years upon them,
continually address each other, and
refer to each other as boys?
Did you know or ever realize that,
under providence, the union was
saved, literally, by boys?
Startling as the statement seems.
it is indisputably borne out by the
official records.
Thousands of the boys enlisted at the
age of sixteen years or under. More
than million we're but eighteen years
OF age or under. And if you increase
the age to twenty-one more than two
million of these boys shouldered arms
at their country's call.
Boys in years, though men in deeds,
they have retained the habit of think
ing and speaking of themselves as
boys.
The honored veteran who bore me
the invitation for today said: "The
boys want you to speak for them. !"
Such boys are irresistible. Their ex-
pressed desires are and should be re-
garded as imperative.
To those of us who do not know.
the word "war" brings visions of
romantic adventure. The military
trappings, the brilliant uniforms. the
marshal music, the grand review.
quicken our pace, straighten our
bodies, and thrill us with enthusiasm.
- IN ~ a~l l.