Year: 1865

The Southern Confederacy exists no long
er. 1t rose into existence with pretensions
that deceived all nations and shook the con-
fidence of the friends of free institutions
throughout the world. The people of our
country were appalled, at its magnitude but
nerved themselves for the conflict. Their
motto was victory or death. Their economy
was millions for war, not cent for comprom-
Use. The idea of abandoning our nationality
never, for moment entered their minds. AS
the forms of ancestral renown which was
their inheritance rose before them, they were
seized with one grand idea which for the
time seemed to displace all others, and that
idea was the instinct of national life. Four
years have changed the face of the entire
area Of the Great republic. The spirit of war
for freedom has evoked wealth, stimulated
industry, attracted emigration. subdued prai-
ries, scaled mountains, guarded oceans, made
generals, created statesmen warmed patriots
to undying deeds of fame, and at last has
wrung victory, peace and humiliation, and
repentance combined from once assured and
naughty, now subdued and PROSTATE foe.
Let it not be supposed from the suddenness
of the fall that the rising Confederacy was
not mighty. Let us remember what we
thought, and knew, and saw four years ago.
Our national Capital beleagured, the whole
South rising as one man, France professedly
neutral but really aiding, England falling
suddenly in love with slavery and seizing the
scepter of commercial power, Mexico viola
ted by the tread of foreign princes and Gallic
armies, in vain pleading for help, our states
men amazed, our people firm at heart but
watching with fearful interest the coming
storm whose thunders shook the earth and
darkened heaven. Let us never forget these
- times that tried mems souls" Nor let US
forget that other more dangerous and dis
heartening time in the second year of the
war when disafection rose in the land and
the mighty west talked glibly of Mississippi
Confederacy, with New England out in the
cold nor that other if possible still more try
ing time when the scales of victory hung so
long with even balance over the bloody field
of Gettysburg, and the nation held its breath
to hear the news of triumph or defeat from
Grant and Vicksburg. The sullen retreat of
Lee was merely half necessity, half defiance.
All that the lightnings could fiash.were, that
Washington was safe and for this the peo-
pie thanked God, Then that Vickspurg had
fallen and that the Mississippi once more
flowed unyexed to the sea. The year 1863





is the year of this war never to be forgotten.
When the campaigns of that year closed men
began to sum up the results of the contest.
What were they? The Confederacy exalted
in the ewes of all nations. Three years of
the most rapid movements the annals of war
had ever written three years of the most
stupendous preparations and of the most Law
ish expenditures that had ever taxed the en-
ergies of a patient people; three years of
hope deferred, and desolated homes, and or
phaned children crying through the land,
had brought nothing but defiant enemy at
home and doubt among the nations. But the
nation rose with the occasion. Congress be-
gan to reason, as we'll as act. A head was
wanting on the field of battle as III the leg.
islative halls. Steel and FIRE and concentra-
ton, as well as plans and men and money
were wanting. 1t was necessity and patri-
otism combined that made Lieutenant. Gen.
eral. The nation yielded its destiny to one
man, and hung the mantle of the worlds
freedom on his shoulders. The weight SEEM
ed to oppress him for he spoke not. But he
did more, he acted. Let the student look no
longer over the classic page for the true in.
stances of the morally sublime. {" Quid
times rehis Cdesaren,," is lost and will vet