Year: 1871

highest conceivable act of moral he
roism, proves himself a worthy son
Of the Great Sacrifcial King.


The world has seen few such men
as our soldiers were and fewer such
women as walk upon Americas
soil. We admire the firm, unyield-
| ing courage of LeOnidas and his
brave band at the pass of Thermop-
yl@, as they, for days, hold at bay
the innumerable army of XerXes,
fighting till the last man dies. They
were noble thus to sacrifice them
selves for the protection of their
homes. They are worthy of all
praise and honor. But nObler men
fell upon our every battle-feld-men
who fought not only for their homes
and country, but for their God and the
right,-men who clearly saw in the
din and smoke of the field of carnage
a great conflict of prinoiples-meu
whose arms were made Irresistible
by the righteousness of their cause
and the help of their God. 1t was
this consciousness of Gods approval
and rectitude of purpose that made
our soldiers mightier and nobler
than ever before bore arms. The
righteousness of a mans cause gives
him an immense power and con-
seriousness of Gods approval and aid
renders him uncOnquerable. Such
an army hears. the voice Of the Most
High commanding its forces and
moves on to conquer in His infinite
power. I honor, I revere such sold
iers. They are Heavens noblemen.


We admire that good old Spartan
mother who, on giving her son his
shield, Iaconically said to him, "Ei-
with ther this, or upon it" She was
noble woman, anxious that her son
should prove himself worthy of his
parentage, hence she enjoins upon
him to bring back his shield or be
brought back upon it, as a proof
that he had fought bravely. We
like the spirit of this brave mother,
but American mothers shine with
brighter Iustre. They sacrificed
more nObly, and infused loftier
patriotism into their sons. Many
gave up, not one son only, but all
their sons, and sorrowed that they
had not others to give. No mothers
could love their sons more tenderly
than American mothers, none ever
more freely gave them up to save
their land from degradation and
shame. 1t was not blind pride
that led them to do this. They
understood, as few mothers ever
have understood, the nature and
importance of the conflict, and being
convinced of the worthiness of the
cause, they made the requisite sac
rifice. They sent their sons out in
Gods name, and followed them in
all their career by their prayers and
by words of encouragement, and
thus nerved their sons to fight brave
Iy and, if need be, die cheerfully.
Never did so many heroic mothers
send their sons to the battlefield
never did so many prayers for the
success of their arms go up to Heav-
en-. Fair and self sacrificing women
have lived in all ages, but the moth
ers of our land Outshine them all.
Future generations will not go back
to Greece and Rome for the highest
type of herOism our own nation
and day will furnish examples of
the greatest selfdevotion on the
part of woman and the noblest dar-
ing on the part of men. The days
will come when ours will be the
classic land to which the eyes of fu-
ture nations will look for all that is
lovely and sublime in human ma
ture. Our literature and brave
deeds have already given US lead
ing place among the nations of the
earth.


The results of the war, in which
these our brothers perished, excel in
| importance those ofany previous
one. Noone, who stops to reflect,
can but be amazed at the mag
nitude of the strides which were
made in human progress. The
work of centuries was crowded into
the space Of a few years. The war
was as an earthquake, breaking ia
pieces our idols and changing the
very foundations of society. It was
a great social and political convul-
sion. stunning US with its power
| Old opinions fled away and new
thoughts and convictions began to
live old modes of action ceased and
new and wiser methods gave direc-
ton to our powers. In no previous


war were such mighty changes


wrought-such mighty advances
made.


f Perhaps war is but Heavens great plOwshar,


driven


Over the barren, falIow, earthly fields,


) Preparing them for harvest roofing up


Grass, weeds and flowers, which necessary fall,
That in these burrows the wise husbandman
? May drop celestial seed"


The results are worthy of the
great sacrifices made, and to have
fought and died in such con,
fict is worthy of the highest ambi
, ton of man. To fall in such q
strife is to become immortal so tc
die is to live forever.


But what shall it profit that We
? thus pay to the brave dead oul
tribute of love and respect, unless
we are ready to initiate their lofty