Year: 1878

sensions, and avert a difficulty that
would have disorganized almost any
other nation on the globe. Freedom
has been lifted into the foreground
where national sovereignty stands to
protect the htmblest and most depis-
ed citizen in his smallest right, wher-
ever he may be on our wide domain.


The good results of our changed
condition are being realized. The
wounds Of the war are being forgotten,
and there is more harmony between
the sections of the country this hour
than there ever was before the war.
Citizens from Massachusetts are not
only permitted to sojourn in the
South, but they are cordially invited
there with their enterprise, their ma
ehinery, their capital and their senti-
ments, to make it their future home;
and a citizen of the South, an ex-Con-
federate soldier, without an apology
for or reference to his political opin-
ions or antecedents, is invited to seat
in the Cabinet of one who gallantly
led host in the Federal army.


So you see the war was not all
slaughter and desolation it meant
freedom, harmony and progress; it
made the government stronger, purer
and better; stronger to command obe-
dience and respect, and better and
purer to claim the affections and sup
port Of all the people.


Let US respect those who fell fight
ing for the other side-respect their
bravery and patriotism, though mis-
guided; and if any such lie bur ed
within this enclosure, place upon his
grave a wreath as token Of admira-
ton for one willing to yield his life
for his principles-to die for his cause.


A word for the future, and who
knows what the future is to develop
for America? Taking the past as an
indication, we are led to hope and
believe that glorious future is open
to her. Her march in the ranks of
civilization has been upward and on
ward. No obstacles have been able to
block her path and no difficulties too
great to be surmounted. Looking to
the future, it is no idle dream to place
her at the head of the nations of the
world. Whilst upon another continent
nations have appealed to arms and
the demon Of war let loose has de-
vastated fields and homes, and al
though for time silent we can again
almost hear the boom of the artillery
and clash Of steel in a renewal of the
conflict with other and more power
full nations, here peace holds unchal-
lenged sway and fraternity is the
watchword of the hour. The revo-
lutionary tendency of the Investigate
ing bill lately passed by Congress ex-
lists only in the imagination of those
who always look on the dark side of

the picture and see dark forebodings.


Signs of increasing prosperity are
apparent and erelong our people will
reap bountiful rewards for the depri-
vations Of the past. AS a people we
have only to be true to ourselves and
our country will go forward to des-
tiny which has been allotted to no
other nation of the earth.


Let US cherish fondness for the
memory of our soldiers i. ,Av snail
write each separate history Of our
hecatombs of slain? The raart-
breaking disappointment the mel"".
choly image. the reason-deI-4-o-
ing grief, tie crushed and woun;,.
life, tho wall Ct woe that answered
each berea cement? Among the un-
written annals cf our war are tales Of
pathos and pity far more touching
than Romance or Fiction can weave
from all the range of Fancy. The
graves of heroes slain and loves de-
parted wrinkle the faces of our hill
sides and valleys; wherever you wan
der there lie the fallen of our host,
mingling their dust with the soil
which they redeemed and saved;


-Four hundred thousand brave and true
Lie dead, good friend, for me and you"


Then let us come here with each re-
turning spring and wreathe their
graves with chaplets of flowers; place
over the chamber of each sleeper a
well-assorted boquet. Let us also
weave garlands out Of the fragrant
heliotrope, the scented rose and the
sweet mignonette, that their grateful
odors may rise like holy incense above
their slumbering ashes AS the