The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-05-30
HOW ARE THE
MIGHTY FALLEN


order had been issued by a subordi-
nate general. which Lincoln revoked.
His belief being that the time had
not come for this heroic measure to
be carried out, but blood flowing on
every hand and the burden OF sorrow
becoming heavy hour by hour 1t Is
said that Lincoln, on his knees be-
fore God, pledged the Almighty that
IL the northern armies were success
full at the battle OF Antietam, he would
issue the emancipation proclamation,
There has been some discussion as
to Lincolns religious beliefs. II
has been contended that Lincoln did
not do many OF the things which are
attributed to him, but my own judg-
ment is that this man understood
that he was the child Of destiny and
that he was linked up with God Al
mighty in the greatest business the
world had known UP to that time.
with the emancipation, the success
of the northern army at Gettysburg
made assurance doubly sure. It has
been said that the battle Of Gettys-
burg was the high tide of the rebel
lion, and think that this can be as
sumed to be true.
Waterloo and Gettysburg.
It was in 1895, stood upon the
battle field Of Waterloo. Climbing to
the top OF the monument that stands
upon that famous field, I swept the
four corners of the compass and re-
membered that famous battle fought
June IS, 1915. when Napoleon Bona
rarte asked for throne and got st.
Helena" / saw the marshalled hosts
of the French and English. / follow
ed through the tragic events OF that
eventfnl day and to the final defeat
of the little Corsican. Then remem-
bered that the troops who fought here
were hired men, mere mercenaries,
adventurers, casting their lot in the
balances OF war. Six weeks after
wards stood upon the battle field of
Gettysburg surveying the events of
history. identified with the preserva-
ton Of my own beloved nation. saw
the union lines on Cemetery Ridge
and yonder to the westward the lines
Of the gray on Seminary Ridge. It
was the afternoon OF the third day of
July, as / watched that marvellous
swing OF fighting men. as at double
race they came forward in the attack
1t is two o'clock In the afternoon
one hundred and fifty mouths OF fire
are belching forth their leaden death
from Cemetery Eidge: one hundred
and twenty mouths of fire are belch-
Ing forth their hail of shot and shell
from Seminary Ridge Onward come
the marching hosts of Pickett. They
sweep across the wheat fields yonder
where Sickles lost limb. Onward
they come. these machines OF war.
The mighty conflict IS on Repulse
after repulse. Disseminated, strug-
Cling. dying. onward still they come,
when finally the battle lulls Pickett
has been swept from the field, and
the greatest battle of all times has
it'sNH louSHt. lHe contrast between
Waterloo and Gettysburg Waterloo
With adventurers and mercenary hire
lings. Gettysburg with American citi-
zens. mere boys from the farms and
shops of our own beloved country.
You remember the fragment Of that
Splendid army which remains here
today, that YOU were but striplings oti
lads, rot out of your teens, many OF
you, when yon marched away. The
war was fought by BOYS. many of
whom had never been away from uu-
Ger the home roof at night until they
niyouaced on the field. I cannot but
feel as review the tragic events lead.
ing un through the Civil war in the
rerpetuation of the union that the
treat president felt in his heart. as
me fathers and the mothers Of the
north and the south felt in their
nearts for those boys. mere lads. who
had gene forth at tn. call Of duty.