Year: 1879

We present our readers to -dav
a rare treat. Below will be found
the magnificent peroratlon of the
speech of Hon. J. Randolph
Tucker, OF Virginia, in the House
OF Representatives at Washing.
ton, when that body had under
consideration the bill for the sup
port of the army. In beauty of
diction and ima gerry, in dignified
and sustained eloquence, we be-
lieve that it compares tavorably
with the efforts of Webster, clay
or Calhoun. is indeed worthy
of tile better daysof the Republic.


| have thus discussed.this sub
ject with the frankness andcandor
which it merits. The committee
will pardon ne for adding some
general remarks in conclusion.
My hopes and aspirations for the
future OF our country are inaccord
with those Of patriotic men in all
parts of the Union.I remember the
four years of civil war between the
States, now IA years past, with
sorrow. | have 10 palinode to
sing. My deepest conviction assur
ed me We were right in the course
we took then. Claiming nothing
which ] do not accord to our then
opponents. | think we may each
respect the conscientious beliefs
that impeiied us into that unhap
py conflict. That time, that con
tiict and its cause have past
away. The institution Of slavery
as 4 question of property, Of
caste ard OF social pollty is gone
forever. The once slave is now Il
citizen, with his right under the
law and Constitution assured
equally with our own,


The South has come back iato
the Federal Union, under the
Federal Constitution. The doc
trine of secession as as constitution
al right has been settled against
us. We have returned with an
honest and sincere purpose land
no one who knows me viii doubt
the sincerity Of my declaration)
to make this glorious Union
among the nations of the earth
and this Government a great and
noble one fer the security of the
Liberties, the independence, and
prosperity of the people of all of
these united Commonwealth. AS
citizen of Virginia and of the
United States and as member OF
this House | declare this to De
my earnest and hearty purpose.


The pastis gone, and though it
cannot be forgotten. let il III our
deliberations be buried from our
sight. It's opinions and convictions
should have no longer any motive
power, or Influence upon present
action or future aims and purpos
es. Ny action here is dictated by
what | believe my duty now re
quires, and by what belive to be
the highest interest of every
State of the Union, as we'll rs of
my me. her Commonwealth, there
across the Potomac. who sends
us here to watch aud wait and la
Dor for a good and honest govern
ment and for the freedom and
happiness of the whole people.
Standing npon this ground ]
look upon the struggle of the civ
il war as nothing but the convul
sive throes of the infant Hercules
in his cradle marking growth
development, aud progress. That
time has passed away. The
wounds of the war are healing
God knows [ wish | conld say


chad healed entirely" | believe
they would have healed long age
by the first intention, if gentle.
men had not prevented it by
keeping the sores open. think
it will be admitted that | have
never bone anything on this foOl
to open, and everything in my
power to heal the wounds of the
civil war. lie. us have dOre will
these chickering's and strifes about
the past. Let us join hands in
one noble resolution to do all
that each of US can do for the
promotion of the common glory
and prosperity of our common
country.


Under the inspiration of thi:
common desire why should no


the meridian glory of our coun


try be worthy of its morning


splendor When | coDtemplat.


this virgin continent, peoplel b.!


that great race which has beer