country's call. Wives, mothers, sisters and loved ones taking their last long loving and lingering look as the dear ones march away.
We remember how often, in the years that followed, sad news came filling many a home with a gloom that still remains. News of death upon the battlefield, in the hospital, and in the rebel prisons. These are some of the sad memories of the great war. Memories which as loyal citizens we hold sacred for they contain a lesson of patriotic devotion to country. A sentiment which lies at the foundation of liberty itself.
There are many still living who carry a load of grief for their loved ones; some are among us to-day. We sympathize with them and we honor their dead, for they are our dead also. We pay them a loving tribute of respect, and teach our children to revere their memory and to emulate their patriotism. Other memories to-day fill our hearts with pride rather than sadness. Time heals the wounded heart and lessens every sorrow. But time does not dim the glory of national honors. This glory will live though the nation perish. Rome and Carthage have passed away yet every school boy knows the history of their soldiers and their deeds of valor. Thus will future ages listen to the story of brave men who fought our battles, of their many deeds of daring, of the final grand victory which gave us an undivided country, and preserved for future generations this great republic; a nation in which every man, woman and child is equal before the law. Where every avenue to success is open free to honest industry and moral worth regardless of rank or wealth. Where titles are despised and oppression unknown. In such a country patriotism is in the very air. It is rooted in every heart. Race, prejudice and sectional hate must yield to it. Political strife cannot destroy it. The Republic stands to-day the greatest nation on earth, confident of her own strength, the irresistible power of fifty-five millions of free and enlightened people. We feel an honor to be citizens of such a country. We are glad to have lived with those who preserved it for our children. We rejoice to see every people on earth unite in honoring the silent soldier who led you to final victory and whose tomb is to-day covered with flowers from every state in this union. May his words, " Let us have peace" find a response in every heart North and South. Let brotherly love prevail, and let us hope that the republic may never again be convulsed by internal strife. That every section may prosper. That wisdom, patriotism and a broad and generous statesmanship may hereafter, and forever prevail.
Gen. GIVEN feeling obliged to leave by the five o'clock train substituted for his prepared address an extemporaneous speech our only criticism of which is that it was too short. The audience heartily appreciated it and wanted more. The General was particularly happy in picturing the soldier of 1861 to 1865 in camp, on the march or in the battle—and the scenes so vividly portrayed were perhaps as near the reality as is possible for tongue to picture. To appreciate the blessings and profit by the teachings of the day,