Year: 1867

we had been the cup-bearers to wrong
the accessories of crime--that we be-
gan to think that Error was right, and
Truth, somehow or other, had gone
astray. Selfshneas was our pole-star,
and our cowardice was the enemy's
opportunity and encouragement. A
newspaper in Ohio, and in the heart Of
the Western Reserve said, something
less than ten years ago Gas matter
Of pecuniary interest and for no other
reason, we will preserve the Union"
TO which a newspaper in South Carolina
echoed: "The South will remain in the
/ Union just so long as it suits her pecu-
mary iuterests."


Nobody then thought We would ever
have a war. But few people thought
we would ever be rid of slavery, and
that few were hunted from one hiding
place to another throughout the North.
For their far-seeing faith they were
hunted, and prosecuted and murdered.
They saw that we had confined in our
national workhouse blind giant of
mighty power, and were goading it to
unrequited toll. They trembled for the
hour when like the giant of old, it
should grope its way to the pillars of
our fair temple and destroy the nation
in avenging efforts.


We were Knocked by the other ma
tions for our insincerity, our injustice,
and our crimes. Affecting to be a ma
tion Of freemen, we were the chief bull
wark of slavery on the earth. Solemn
ly declaring the inalienable rights Of
man, we legalized and protected the
most cruel system of human bondage.
Inviting the oppressed of other nations
to our protection, we sold our own peo-
pie for gain, and Knocked at the agony
of our victims. Protesting ourselves a
Christian people, we set at naught the
fundamental principles of Christian civ
ilization.


Of many Of these things we have
been relieved, but in escaping from
them we have suffered as few peoples
have ever suffered Yet how richly
have we deserved sll No one believed
we would ever have war, for no one
believed us possessed of the courage to
maintain contest. Carlyle said of our
war, soon after it began, that we only
had foul chimney burning out over
here, and we were almost ready to be-
lieve him. The hour was gloomy and
unpromising enough, yet the few who


had faith in the triumph Of right saw


"God standing In the shadow


Keeping watch above Ills own"


and saw through a bloody vista and
amid thoes of fearful agony the birth OF
new nation.


Other wars in other lands have been
waged for the aggrandzement of one
prince or another We had no prince
and it was therefore thought could have
no war. For a prince we had only q
principle, and who ever heard of fight
ing for principle7 1t has been gem
orally supposed that to play Hamlet
with the part of Hamlet omitted would


be but sorry failure, yet we have fur
nished forth a very creditable perform
: ance, and no Hamlet, either.


The result is that principle is trium
phant-right is in'the seat of authority
truth has prevailed, and the nation il
Free Still we have much to do


Wrong has been for centuries hedging
itself about with every variety Of breast,


works, until its spirit has penetrated
our entire social fabric. To eradicate
this spirit requires time. In war time
f our regeneration was swift and sure


but in peace we find our old draw backs


The battle over, Conservatism, will
solemn mien and measured tread stalks
forth to clog the wheels. Its eminent
responsibility could not be soiled by the
smell of powder, and the stain of blood


and now its dignity seems too solemn
. a thing for touch of vulgar reformer
, There is an old story of a combat be.
;, tween a bull and a locomotive, from
+ which a moral can be deduced of i'm
mense benefit to Conservatism, unde
! present circumstances. 1t would bt
sad to see so much dignity upset 10 the


damage of broadcloth and beaver, bu
the times are too earnest to parley witt
such distractions.


The years have never dropped their sand


On mortal issues vast and grand


> As ours to-day"


S, We would be false to our duty il
t every respect were we to falter now, an
stop short Of the complete regeneratio
of the government Much remains t
be done, and zoe must do it now or
> never will be done. If Conservatisl
gets in the way, if Treason oppose,
: Cowardice draws back, if Selishnes
{ hesitate, if Fogyism doubt, then tn
= whole crew must be annihilated. Thes
a opponents have always been in the way


Cowardice of leaders was the bane {


the nation until cowardice became n


longer respectable, and now the young


earnest, hot blood of the nation, barn
. ing to wipe out the wrongs Of the pas
holds the rens and will not yield unit
: right is the rule the nation over. A
this excitement has frightened fogie
: into the belief that it was the deaf
= rattle and the dying groan, but radica
!, ism sees in it the glorious efervesenC
that must always precede a perfcC