Year: 1879

sneer of the monarchist was blow or blush For the
preservation of that institution opinions ncucated
and measures proposed which for theequarters of
tury imperiled the existence of the Union 1t the
cancer in the body potic which, until it cut out by
the civil constantly threatened to destroy the national
life.


n 1860 the people United States under the
of law and according to the constitution elected the Pres
dent OF their choice BY residence association and opn
ion he dstasefu to the interested in upholdng
the system of slavery. And they Immediately plunged
the country into the most tremendous and disastrous civil
of modern times That contest not conflict of
ambition aggression territorial aggrandzement 1t
was war OF IDEAS On the one side for three OF
century had been cultivated belief the righteousness
and rghtfulness Of human slavery and State rights On
the other devotion to human hbeyty and nationality.
These two deas with men of the and of kindred
blood behind them in deadly conflict upon the battle
field.


From the battlements of heaven tonight there look
down upon the spirits of both the Union and the Con-
ederate dead believe that as together in the clearer
light of the spirit land they right from wrong the Con-
ederae and the Federal alike join with in gratitude
and thankuness to Almighty God that the issue of the
war was liberty and nationality and not slavery and
secession.


But all remember that beautiful Sunday morning
when the news flashed the country that the flag
had been fired upon at Sumter Instantly all apathetic
elements and divergng opinions cemened into one
common mass with common resolve The flag fired
upon We had it floating from mast heads and pub
lie buildings carried professions and upon mimic bat
tie fields and little knew how much tenderness an1 aec
tion embemed in its folds The mandatory
was deserted the plough left in the uow, the spade
IN the sod the mining tool in the shaft The law office
was closed the pulpit was empty and without regard to
previous opinions party affiliations, million of
marched forth to the defence of the country and the pres
ervation of the Union


"The distinction of the volunteer army the graves of
whose dead to-day with flowers, all other
armies of all time was its intelligence Behind every
musket was thinking On the march, around the
camp fire, in the hospital and the prison. AID in letters


friends at home these men discussed the issues at stake
and the results which would follow defeat victory with
much craftsmanship and prophetic force the repre-
sentatives in Congress- Ofthe million volunteer soldiers
thousands fitted by culture ability and character to
be Presidents of the United States While thousands of
Conederates in that last when upon the confines
OF eternity the mind recognizes accurately the right
from the wrong confessed themselves that they had
split their blood the wrong side, there never
Union soldier whose life ebbing upon the field whose
last moments comfored and consoled by the go


ous and inspiring consciousness that he dying for
his country and his God


Philadelphia It's historic well it's patri
otto record proves itself the first of cities in the Union
doing honor to the memories of the deadof the who
died the Union from destruction There that
about the day in this city which could not fail to impress
even those who did enter into the spirit of ceremonial
at once glorious as it full of melancholy although
inspiring recolections. The day bright and beautiful
beted it, the bamy air. with its sultrness relieved with
cooling breezes the crowds of interested spectators
the streetsmen, women and children who had lost father
or brother husband friend relative in the deadly
and unhoy conflict waged by traorous hands against the
United States of Amercaa these thronged to the prin
cpa thoroughfar and added to the effect of the superb
spectacle which presented the leading of
Philadelphia.


The the city We're all alive with people and
with flags and banners flying and with superb floral de-
coraon and with every evidence of ardent interest
in the patriotic ceremonies of the day. the lead
ing thoroughfares of the city Nearly all the principal
buildings Chestnut, Walnut, and Seventh, Eighth
Ninth and Tenth Streets Spring Garden street, Girard
avenue and other leading thoroughfares well almost
every other and thoroughare had the national flag
with all its glorious memories floating in the breeze 1t
may be safely said that thisthe uest national annver
sary of natonal lifewas generally,
spontaneously, enthusiastically, and more patriotic
ally observed in this city


Chestnut street lined with promenaders all
for semi-heiday occasion and all anxiousy awaiting the
arrival of such Posts TO appear this thorough


fare route to the several cemeteries the graves of which
they announced TO adorn.


And all the people who assembled and lined in countless
thousands Chestnut street the various Posts with y