Excerpt from Memorial Address

The intervening years have only exalted the cause and glorified the names of those whose blood purchased the regeneration of the Republic. Tremendous, indeed, must have been that epoch, which, in the evolution of anglo-saxon liberty, gave to the world Abraham Lin coln, the greatest, the wisest, the noblest, the gentlest, the purest, the sweetest character that has visited this earth since the Son of Man walked the shores of Galilee.

The first flowers were strewn by comrades of the dead, bereft Widows, heartbroken mothers and sorrowing brothers and sisters. The flowers strewn to-day will fall not only from the unsteady and tremblinghands of those who can recall that awful conflict, but will be poured out in bounteous profusion from the arms of more than two generations of sons and daughters, who, with grateful recollection and patriotic rever ence bow before the altar made holy by the devotion and blood of the soldiers and sailors of 1861.

What association, what man, what woman, what son or daughter would not join with enthusiasm in the ceremonies of this day? Here are the sacred remnants of our army and navy - may they remain long with us! Here is a great concourse of people, individuals vying with organizations, and youth with age, to pay tribute to the memories of those whose sacrifices, however great, no one would now recall.

The preservation of the unity of the Republic was essential to the highest and most progressive civilization of the world. One Constitu tion, one liberty and a single destiny alone have made this the most puissant political force on the globe. The influence of our national spirit has touched every source of constitutional and legislative power, and is leading the world to a larger personal liberty and a corresponding personal responsibility. The deeds of our soldiers and sailors are immortalized in their effects upon the welfare of the human race. So long as the children of men shall study the science of self-government, so long will this republic, saved and redeemed by the civil war, be the north star, guiding them into the realms of international unity - into the reign of universal peace. The only true, enduring and eternal monument to our heroes is the respect of all governments and the rev erence of all men for that flag from whose constellation not a single star has ever been, nor shall ever be, erased.

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