The weekly new era. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1870-????, June 08, 1870, Image 1

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The weekly new era., June 08, 1870, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextTHE VOLUME IV. ATLANTA, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE 8, 1870 NUMBER 12 .sii this mon interesting < i Monday In xercises all o i the of * kind < g the fall ©monies at Auder- the day set apart r the nation. The ig one, in view of general demonstra ted (wc believe) ctioi orgn The ekes de livered by Governor Bollock, Dr. Collier and otke rs, will be read with interest, ns affording an Index to the feelings and emotions of those in Georgia who appreciate the fact that hence forth tbic should bo a united country, and os a fitting tribute to the memories of tho men who held their individual lives secondary in importance to the life of the Nation. This demonstration implies no reproach of the memory of the brave men who died in the Cause against which these sleeping heroes of AndersanvilH contended The roll of the heroic dead of both armies, was not made up of cowards and suifflers who shirked duty \ the hour of peril, and then became boisterous and bellicose in inVerse ratio as danger became remote. It is a striking circumstance, that, since the surrender, the soldiers of both armi- s constitute the mo>t moderate, reasona ble and conservative element in our political organization; and none are more prompt to honor tho memory or decorate the last resting place of tho fallen hero, than the chivalrous foe who met him on the field. Some of the strongest and most sacred ties of friendship have been formed by and be tween the living representatives of the once hostile armies; and it has grown into proverb that, were the distracting questions growing ont of the Issue of the war, referred to the men of both sides who did the fighting daring the war, Reconstruction upon the basis of the plan proposed by Congress, would have long since been a settled fact. It is not the Con. federate soldier who would desecrate the grave of the Union martyr—not the Federal Soldier who would insult the memory of on honorable foe. It is the man of panic faith who never had the courage to go where he urged others; who yielded a dogged acquiescence in the de cision of that tribunal to which he was first to appeal; who took tho oath of allegiance with the mental reservation never to keep hm word; and who would renew a controversy which he solemnly and publicly acknowledged to have been previously adjusted—this is the repre sentative of that type of “honor” which sneers at the Confederate soldier for simply surrendering with his sword, all intention of ever using it again against that Government to whose magnanimity he now owes his life and property. The Cemeteries of Bannockburn and Runny- raead, so far from affording on occasion for factions and angry disputation, were regarded by the English people as common altars of a common country, where amnesty was given for the past, and faith and allegiance plighted ' .for the future. The issues which culminated in national Cemeteries, are issues no longer. The physical conflict is over—the decision is . irrevocable; and wise indeed is the man who can realize this fact, and live with respect to tho present and future, rather than moodily brood over that which he can neither recall or amend. the Republic OIUvOfUMi. There appears to be a sort of belico.se epi demic all round, just now; and the liver of journalism seems specially disordered. There is much bile afl jat—too much of it to admit of a healthy and harmonious exercise of the edi torial fraction. Tho brethren are all getting sensitive, snappish, peckish, feverish and “cantankerish;” and although nobody has been seriously hurt, there is no assurance **** this win bo the case long. Was 1 * -McLean wauts to bum “villainous gin* powder " under the nose of Marat ; Hugh Hastings wants to rick T»' J ^ U < *md now, to descend to less matt* » couple of Washington corres pondents. each representing an historic name, Wive had a misunderstanding and want to blow taeh other’s brains out—“according to the code.” We believe no blood b&s been spiUed as yet, and perhaps there may be none expend ed in reparation of wounded honor. Rat there is a fearful amount of caterwauling, cartel writing, demanding, threatening, denouncing, pouting, raving and blustering. “ Only this and nothing more,” The Bryant organ does not seem to know what an argument is. I£ never uses arguments itself. It never troubles itself to answer the arguments of nn opponent It has never oc curred to the Organ that a man ought to be able to give some better account of the way in which he has arrived at his opinions, than merely that it is his will and pleasure to hold them. It has never occnrredto the Organ that here is a .difference between assertion and de monstration ; that a rumor does not always prove a fact; that a ainglo fact, when proved, is hardly foundation enough for a theory; that two contradictory propositions cannot be un deniable truths ; that to beg the question is not the way to settle it; or that when an objecl is raised, it ought to bo met with something more convincing than an array of stupid epi thets. Unities of (he Bar. And now ex-Judge Mead insults Judge Pntethough, while on the Bench, at Peoria, Illinois, and follows itnpby assaulting him aflet the Court adjourned. There has been too much of this within tho last few week?. Mr. Graham disgraces himself daring tho McFar land trial, and then Bradley and Fisher, of .Washington, have a roll-ond-tumble fight in the gutter, and now a Western jurist attempts to make fame by a public profession of bis pugilistic proclivities. In tho better days of our history, tho judicial ermine was uni versally respected, and the person of a Judge was considered as sacred os that of a tribune, In those days, the stately etiquette of tho “old school" prevailed. Now, the tendency is to respect nothing. Neither names, institutions, nor persons command veneration. Not yet can we look upon this with approval. We shall always believe that justico is more likely to be “iudiciaDy administered” when the officers of the Courts remember" that they are gentlemen, and act accordingly. Bunions and Spowtk Making Dickons has a bunion. It was this, and not “business,” that servccljtke great novelist so conveniently at a recent Press banquet It did rot at all diminish his appetite, but when the wine began to flow and the speech-making also began, that bunion began to be painful, and so he hobbled away. But for this bunion, he might have illustrated the Hon. Elija Po- grurn. We instinctively honor all such bnn- ious* and if corns and hang-nails may be turned to the same account, and thus made to contribute to the cause of silence when the wine runs merril; we might very readily dismiss tho chiro podist. For we apprehend that nothin is more intolerable to ears polite than this American propensity to grab at tho dinner table, and “pop up” upon tho slightest provocation. “Carpet Baggrr*”^ When the war closed, a number of men came to Georgia from the more densely popu lated Northern States for the purpose of bet tering their condition. They came here just as men migrate to Kansas or Texas, for the pur pose of making money and obtaining homes. They came with the determination to identify themselves with the State; for the pnrposs of making it the home of their children, and therefore not as disinterested spectators who had no interests in common in the transition from the old to the new order of things. The new system of Labor, regarded as im practicable by the planter of ante-bellum times, presented to the Northern immigrant an opportunity for laudable enterprise. The owner of the soil, believing Free Labor to be illy adapted to the planting interests, aban doned the business, and leased his form to the Northern immigrant who had been educated to believe Free Labor the more profitable of the two systems. Thus it was that the Northern man became the Southern planter, and thence the patron of tho. late slave. And ha assumed this relation ship with the full knowledge and sanction of the late master! There was no misunderstand ing on this point The fact was not concealed that the new proprietor entered upon his du ties with all his Northern ideas, theories and prejudices, it may be, respecting Free Labor, Free Ballot and Political Equality. All this was well understood. There was no snap judgment here. One had abandoned the plantation and the negro in hopeless disgust; the other assumed the duties of the position in the full confidence that his theory of social and political economy was the true one, and that it needed only a fair trial to demonstrate thi8 to the satisfaction even of Southern men. To be consistent with his past record, and to justifiy his present position, the old pro prietor had to oppose any proposition look ing to the extension of Oivil and Political equality to the negro. Likewise the new pro prietor, to be consistent, must advocate these. Thus they became the representatives of anti podal political parties, and this almost un consciously. The one by opposing enfran chisement, nlligncd himself against the de sires, tho aspirations and the hopes of the negro. The other, by advocating it, became the representative, the friend, the counsellor and the political ally of the negro. Upon all political topics, the black man naturally sought the counsel and advice of those nearest him whom he deemed the friend of his race; and os between the man who opposed, and the one who advocated the elevation of his race, he naturally enough sought and acted upon the counsels of the latter. This made the new proprietor a political leader; and, when elections were had, the black man naturally expressed his prefer ence for the new proprietor in whom he recognized an advocate of Political Equality. The result was, that many Northern men who came here solely for the purpose of engaging in agricultural And business pursuits, found themselves elected to positions of trust and emolument in tho Government. As they had not sought the position, why should they not pt -the trust and responsibilities thus tendered them? Is it consonant with human nature to.decline such positions? Do aw young men from Georgia who have fonnd homes in Texas or New Mexico, decline offices of honor and emolument when thus volun tarily offered them ? would not the young men from toe New England States, who hod found &omos in Georgia, have been more th»*> Human bad they pre-emptorily declined the positions thus offered? The consequences of this fatal mistake upon the part of the Democratic leaders, was not fully realized until after the election in April 1868. At that election, tho Repub lican ticket was carried by about eight thou sand majority. The analysis of tho election shows that tho ninety-five thousand Blacks voted almost in solid phalanx for the new Constitution and the Republican ticket; and this, with the white Republican vote, carried the State. The fact was thus disclosed that ninety-five thousand colored voters, led os they were supposed to have been by Northern Immigrants (L e., “carpet-baggers”), constitu ted the political balance power of tho State. It was further evident that, unless this power could be broken, and the influence of the new leaders destroyed, the sceptre had departed from tlfe Democracy, perhaps never to return. Hence it was that, about this time, we began to hear of mystic rumors of a secret political organization, afterwards known as the Ku- Klux Klan. This organization preceded the expulsion of the colored members of the Gen eral Assembly; and, that it was the inception of a scheme planned by older and wiser heads than those charged with iu execution, no well informed or observant man is now prepared to doubt. The organization of these Clubs or juntas, prepared the way for the expulsion of the col ored members; and tbis ensured success, by placing tbe State Government in the hands of a revolutionary and reckless Democratic ma jority. The result is known. Outsido of Atlanta, there is perhaps not an efficient Republican or ganization in the State; and, under these circumstances, an election now, before the new Government can foirly enter upon its legiti mate functions as a Constitutional body, would result in a repetition of the canvass of Novem ber, 18G8. Nothing is more certain. And yet nothing is more susceptible of proof than that, with a fair election, tho Republicans would carry the State by at least ten thousand ma jority. Platol* and Wines for Two. Shooting is not considered one of the first arts in England, and our British cousins do not sec the some intimate connection between gun-powder And insanity that is recognized on this side of the water. A recent case af fords a striking illustration of the way they do things in England. A “gay Lothario” ran away with another man’s wife, carrying for her, during tho flight a small bundle of her clothing. Tho disconsolate husband took his revenge. The English law gave him no rem edy on tho criminal side of the Court He could recover damages, but he dis dained filthy lucre as a compensation for his wrongs. To shoot the villain never occurred to him. Bat ho could prose cute him for larceny, in carrying away the clothes which were prima facia his property. And this he did. But the astute lawyers for the defense showed very clearly that a married woman is entitled at all times to a certain necessAry amount of clofhing, and her lover certainly had a right to take charge of the little bundle at her request So tho prosecu tion broke down; Don Juan returned to his mistress, and the disgraced husband went to a homo made hideous by the wailing of in sulted Lairs and Penates. If men will adopt the Byronic maxim “Hate your neighbor, and love your neighbor’s wife,” let them meet tho consequences, but above all, let the conse quences met t them! The “Democracy” ami tlic Colored Pe r.a-t Card. Having opposed the XVth Amendment, from the day in which it was first proposed up to the hour of its ratification, the Democratic press could but assure their readers that it would never be enforced, ever after it had been promulgated as part of the Fundamental Law of the land. Many of the leading Demo cratic papers of this State, took this position, and pointed to the California frauds ns proof positive of the wisdom of their conclusions. One Georgia paper naivety exhorted its readers to patience and hopefulness in view of the fact that “our Northern Democratic friends’* would never submit to “this gross outrage I upon the liberties of a free people;” and it closed its exhortation with the comforting assurance that the time would come in Geor gia in which that Amendment would bo dead letter P All this was highly satisfactory; and so the “Democracy” concluded to accept the situa tion, and bide the promised good time, when a colored voter should be “simply a free nig ger,” with political rights which no “respecta ble wlni* man” would be bound to «*!**•* t Bat, soon after this manifesto, that son “Radical Congress” which proposed the Amendment, and which seems provokingly oblivious of Democratic interests, had the temerity to pass a bill providing for the en forcement of the XVth Amendment This “enforcement bill,” (as the Democrats call it,) is an exceedingly unhandy affair in many re spects. It strikes at the root of Democratic polity, in that it seeks to break up and dis perse all organized conspiracies against fair elections! It imposes severe penalties for the identical measures for party success, which were adopted in California and New York, and which were so cordially endorsed and commended by the Georgia Democratic press! And now, as if to add insult to injury, the “enforcement bill” has received the signature of the President. This, then, is the “crowning act of Radical usurpation.” Of course the “Democracy” howl over it They have even discovered that there existed no necessity (mediate or remote) for such a monstrous iniquity! Nobody pro posed nullifying this XVth Amendment; no body wanted to evade its mandates; nobody thought of resistance; nobody even cherished a hope that it ever would be evaded or “be come a dead letter.” Nothing of this kind was ever contemplated! Under these circum stances, therefore, the Enforcement bill” was simply a piece of Radical impertinence. It was more. It was a scheme for the perpetuity of “Radical rule," because it was designed to intimidate the virtuous Democracy! It was a species of ursupation; a sample of par tisan legislation of gratuitous origin and mis chievous intent. And now what ? The “ white man’s party ” announced for Delaware, Maryland &nd Phila delphia, having for its object uncompromising hostility to the “blasted nigger ” as an elector, was an abortion; and the consequences thereof will be fatal to the scheme (since devised) for “dividing the colored vote.” Every colored in California and elsewhere, where Demo cratic tactics have been fully developed, is in stinctively a-Rcpublicau. The steady, invete rate, universal hostility of tho thing called “Democracy ” to the y nlwiHon of Are millions.- a£—A— citizens, !»«■ length culminated in defeat the most ignomin ious. This opposition—desperate, hopeless and inveterate—is a strange phenomena in American politics. Ten years ago, its advo cates favored the extension and perpetuity of Slavery. It even wrought a Rebellion and went to enforce this dogma. When the Slaves were emancipated, this party opposed their right to testify, or to sue or be sued, in the Civil tribunals. When the Civil Rights Bill settled this point, the “Democracy” next opposed their elevation to citizenship. When they became citizens, it opposed their enfran- nk Enfranchised, it next opposed their enjoyment of the franchise. And now, finally, it opposes all enactments for guaran teeing this enjoyment What is to be the next phase of this persistent opposition, has not, as yet, transpired. A'Rcnsou Suggested. It u onlJ (under other circumstances) be dif ficult to render a reason for the opposition to the repeal of the Income Tax, offered by one or two Democratic leaders. It might bo diffi cult eren for them to giro a reason, except upon the bare (act that Republicans generally advocate its repeal, and hence its repeal would, in some yet undefined manner, work injury to the party of virtue and respectability! Sven admitting the proposition that, had Republi cans not advocated the repeal of this Tax first, the Democrats would now do so, we can see a reason for this singular attitude of the party of Repudiation. It is a puerile reason, we ad mit; bnt it is such as the facts would seem to justify, and its very stupidity makes it all the more orthodox with the Democracy. A party, then, that proposes nothing, but which opposes everything, can very consist ently advocate Repudiation because Republi cans do not; and it can, at tbe same time, very consistently oppose the repeal of tho Income Tax, because that 13 advocated by Republicans. And, for the same reason, it can very consist ently oppose the Protective Tiriffi That Tariff, and other mcans'iff Indirect Taxation, is proposed os a relief measure to the poor man, whose Income or Salary is now taxed to commute the taxes on luxuries, consumed by his more opulent neighbor; nevertheless “De mocracy ” must needs oppose this also, for the reason that it is proposed by the Republicans. In other words, Democracy acts upon the con verse of Paddy O’FUnagan's proposition, and declares itself to be whatever you are noV Gambling as a National Amusement. The New York Tribune asks: “Does the House mean to legalize gambling, *such as faro, rogue et noir f vingt ettot,’ Ac., by adopting the sug gestion of the California member taxing each table thus used $1,000? Certainly the enforce ment of a tax on any branch of business is a recognition of tho legality of such business. Or does the House believe such a tax will prove prohibitory? It is bad enough to have municipal authorities like those of New Or leans licensing gambling. The public senti ment will revolt against the mere contempla tion of such an enormity by the National Government.” BrlgUam Young in tlie Sulks. Notwithstanding the fact that the Mormons have a sort of judgment suspended over their heads in the Cullom bill, they seem disposed to be reactionary and churlish in their deal ings with the United States authorities. They have been somewhat profuse in their threats of late; and quite recently, they closed the Court room of a Federal Judge while he was temporarily absent. More recently still, they refused to let the United States prisoners be confined in the Salt Lake City jail; and the general attitude and bearing of Brigham and his disciples is represented as being anythin: but agreeable or pacific. ANDERSONYILLE. MEMORIAL CEREMONIES ON THE 30th. His Excellency, Governor Bullock, General Kryzyauotvski, Rev. Dr. Collier and a large concourse of citi zens present. Speeches by General Kryzyanowski, Gov. Bullock, Rev. Dr. Collier, and General Lewis. The Oration of the Day by Rev. Dr, Collier, Chaplain-in-Chiefof tho Grand Army of the Republic. Scenes and Incidents of ihe Day. (Reported expressly for the Atlanta Daily New Era, hy H. C. Conan.) A general order having been issued by tbe Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, General John A. Logan, for tHe decoration of graves at Andefsonville, ‘prepar ations were immediately made by the officers of the Grand Army Association in this city, as sisted by prominent State officials and citizens, to provide for appropriate ceremonies at that place on the 30th. Governor Bullock and family, accompanied by General Lewis, Rev. Dr. Collier and a num ber of our leading citizens and officers of the United States army, with the ladies of their families, started from this city at seven o’clock Sunday evening, and proceeded to Macon.— At Macon they were met by General Kryzy- anowski, department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a large number of citizens, ladies and gentlemen from Macon, who, with a special train, proceeded to Andersonville. The train having arrived at 12 o’clock noon on Monday the 30th, the party, headed by the band of the 18th Infantry, formed in line—First, His Excellency tho Governor, accompanied by the officers of the State government, followed in order by dis tinguished citizens of Atlanta and Macon, with ladies; officers of the United States Army; officers and members of the Grand Army of the Republic, citizens gener ally, and marched to the flagstaff in the centre of the cemetery. The line was then broken and the people, assembled around a stand which had been erected oh one side of the grounds under the shade of the oak trees, where the following programme was announc ed. PROOBAiOIE OT EXERCISES. 1. Opening by Department Commander Grand Army of the Republic, 2. Music. . 1 3. Prayer by Rev. Dr. H. W. Pierson. 4. Music. 5. Reading orders Grand Army of the Re public by comrade M. M. Moore. lutatnry by His Excellency' Bullock. 7. Music. 6. Oration by Chaplain-iu-Chief, G. W. <Jpl-' lier, Grand Army of the Republic. 9. Music. 10. Personal reminiscences of Andcrson- ▼ille prison, by Lieutenants W. H. Miller and A. H. Benner, U. S. A. 11. Benediction by Rev. Mr. Snead. 12. Decoration of Graves. **#• 13. Lunch. 14. Assembly and short speeches. 15. Return. General Kryzyanowski then appeared on the stand and spoke as follows: SPEECH OP GENERAL XRYZYANOWSKL Ladies and Gentlemen: have assembled together here to-day-‘jjfron'a- solemn and im portant occasion.. Tile 3dth of May has been set apart by the Grand Army of the Republic as a memorial day to decorate the graves of fallen comrades. Throughout the whole land to-day you Will find those whose hearts sympa thize with us, and whose hands join us in placing floral offerings upon the graves of our dead comrades. We are here to-day accom* panied by our patriotic Governor, and the officers of the government, and by those who sympathized with ns during those terrible years of struggle for tho life of the nation. It is our sad duty to-day to deck with-wreaths and flowers tho graves of our poor comrades who have suffered privation, and starvation, and death t>> pr.-serve the eoimiay. It is the first time that such a concourse as this has assembled' here at Andersonville Cemetery. In setting apart this day to the remembrance of onr dead, the American Nation has shown that it is not unmindful or ungrateful to those who defended her liberty. They have fallen in the defense of that country and of those liberties which were left them by their sires^ ;r .!-::y to-day not only t . pr - r\ and treasure that inheritance, but to pay our tribute of love and gratitude to those brave and loyal hearts that sleep so calmly and peacfully here. All I have to say is, for I do not wish to detain you long, let ns cherish their memories in our heaits all our life through. Let us remember their suffering, privation, and death, and let us leave their ashes to rest in peace beneath the banner for which they died. [Applause.] These remarks were fellowedby appropriate music from the band, when the opening prayer as offered by Rev. Dr. EL W. Pierson, as fol lows: rrates: With reverence and with awe we come into Thy Divine presence. O, Thou who art the God of nations as Thou art the God of men. Thou hast been tho God of our fathers as Thou art our God. Thou didst give them wisdom to lay broad and deep the foundations of our government, as Thou hast given to us, their children, fidelity, and Thy benediction in maintaining the institutions so cherished by them, so baptized with their tears and their blood. We adore Thee, we worship Thee, as a God of Justice, as a God of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and that will not look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. As a nation wo have incurred Thy just dis pleasure. For our sins Thou hast visited us with this fearful baptism of blood. Thou hast vindicated Thy majesty as our Maker; as the Father and protector of all Thy children, Thou hast fought us that every attribute of Thy Om nipotence is pledged for the protection of the humblest of Thy creatures—made in Thine image—and that Thou wilt avenge all their wrongs, whether inflicted by nations or by men, by tho roar and clash of contending armies, by burning cities, by desolated fields and households, by the groans of the wounded and the dying, and by the graves of thou sands upon thousands of onr beloved dead. Thou hast taught us that whosoever shall offend one of these littlo ones made iu Thine image, it were better for him that a mill stone were hanged about his neck, and be drownfed in the depths of the sea. We thank Thee that Thou hast lifted us up as a nation to the recognition of the sublime Christian truth —tho Fatherhood of God, and brotherhood of Oh Thou great Jehovah, Thou who Btillest tho sea and stoppest the sun, Thou who lias hung up the stars as the garniture of Thy glo rious throne, we thank Thee, that we, Thy creatures, have such a God and Father as Thou art; a God so holy, a God so powerful, a God so able to protect, defend and bless us. And here in this awful presence, hero amid the si lent graves of these thousands upon thousands of our Kdoved and martyred dead, here in this our natjou’S sod Gethsemane of anguish and of woe, vr' would consecrate ourselves anew to the se#. jce of God, our country and humanity. Accept Then the offering of ourselves, that we thru; iJake to Thee. Here we pray that all the bitterijpso, all the discoid and all the violence engen kred by the sad scenes through which we bu\V passed as a nation, may cease through out nb/our borders, and that henceforth peace and irj.ndship and prosperity may be our na tional inheritance. And for this end wo ask Thy blessing upon thy servant, - the Presidrnt of the United States, uj>on his Cabinet, -upon Congress, upon the tho juiiciary, upon the army, upon the navy and vpon all- officers, civil and military, throughout all our land. Wo ask Thine es pecial blessing upon this entire Common wealth; upon Thy servant, the Governor; upon the military commander; upon the Leg islature; upon tho judiciary; upon every fam ily, add upon every soul in our State. May all bitterness and wrath pass away, and peace, and friendship, and fidelity to our flag wA country once again dawn upon this Ion_' distracted people. Am now, as with these solemn services we decorate the g raves'of the noble heroes who died that the nation might live and a race be disenthralled, we ask Thy richest, choicest blebsiiigs upon all the fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, widows, orphans, and loving friends, wh dead we thus honor. Wherever in deso late- _omes far away, stricken hearts turn sad ly to this spot, we pray that Thou, who art th God of all consolation, the widow’s God, and the i v Vr of the fiitlierless, wilt give them that comfort that Thoa alone art nhle to be^ StOVL, Ti vr n.il nil other blessings for ourselves, our country, and tho world, we hnmby ask, in the name of Jesus Christ, our adorable Re- deeiuer. Amen. At the dose of the. prayer the whole vas; audience, led by Dr. jollier, joined in singing “ Old Hun dr i*I,” accompanied by the band, -orders of th^ Grand Army were then by" comrade M. M. Moore. ie reading of orders was concluded eraor Bullock appeared and was received with warm demonstrations oi satisfitetion and approval. He sainted the officers of the Gmnd Army of the Republic and extended a E to them in the following words: I'EECn oi- GOVEBKOB BULLOCK. nor Bullock was then introduced and follows: .Ladies, Gentlemen, Soldiers, Fellow-Citizens: It is of course not my intention or my pur pose to .attempt an address or an oration upon ah occasion. I am here simply to manifest tv my presence the sympathy which I feci -ith the sentiment that has brought ns all to gether heVe to-day, and also that in person and in my official capacity I might extend a wel- ijomo to the distinguished gentlemen from this ind other States, who represent the organiza tion of the Grand Army of the Republic. There is perhaps, my friends, no spot on tho American Continent which is so noted as this upon which we stand. The terrible trials and sufierinjuj, the indescribable horrors through which those now dead wero compelled to pass, has made their memory more warmly cherished, perhaps, in tho hearts of the Union people, than that of the dead whose remains are gathered in any other cemetery over which our flag floats. >Vhile referring to the horrors which have been-endured by tho bravo hearts who died in this prison to securo the blessing of liberty to this whole section of onr country-, I feel that it is proper for me to say that I believe tho-grent responsibility for the wrongs done here rests upon tbe officers who wero placed in command, and not upon tho whole people of tins State or of tbe South. Bnt they are gone.- The" Great Commander of ns all has ordered a -court-martial, am\ these dead wit nesses null put in their charges and specifica- tlOHS*--XuA-m! IfMVUA fhAtn* In inaf. jrtilp'- ment Let the “dead past Duryitsaead r so far as this wrong is concerned. \ We are here to listen to the distinguished -Efov. Dr. Collier, of Ohio, Chaplain of the Grand Army of the Republic, and I will not detain you longer, but after tho appropriate ceremonies will present him to you. The bond then played “ America ” and the people joined in singing. Whereupon the Chaploin-in-Chief, Rev. Dr. Collier, was pre sented and said: ORATION OP DR. COLLIER. Jfr. President, Comrades, Ladies and Gentle men : I would better meet the duties of my own feelings if I were to remain silent; if I were to pass among the silent graves and stand in tho presence of the noble men who hare suffered so much for our country. When the question was started at the City of Washing ton, can these graves be decorated? and as the question has often been asked in the far North, is it possible to decorate all these S ves? I answered that we would place at It one flower upon the grave of each hero at Andersonville. Then the objection was made that it was too far. It was said there was no one whose heart would be responsive to the call, and there would none gather there. I am glad in this sacred presence to-day— suirounded as I am by the Governor of the Stifle, by tho soldiory, by the citizens—I am glsd to-day to recognize the fact that this, even in Georgia, is not true. I may as well say here, thfit while consulting Governor Bnllock upon thiBsubject, he said tome, “Ifyou come to th« State, we will not only render you all the assistance that we can, bnt I believe we can plelge the people that they will moke the •emces such os they ought to be.” I am proud to say hero to-day that that pledge has been most fully redeemed. I hold in my hand tho manuscript that I penned in my study, at home in the loyal State of Ohio. The standard of the manu script is not tlfb standard of the feelings that bum in my heart at this hour. It seems to me that there is a sacred presence here to-day of the grand army of 13,000 strong who are encamped around ns in silent array. It seems to me that this sacred presence awakens in our hearts an inspiration that mak«s the oc casion peculiarly solemn and peculiarly glorious. We are assembled in this strange city of the dead to perform a sad and sacred duty. Hom- S e paid to the illustrious dead who have len in their country’s service, has been re cognized as just to the dead, and honorable to the living. It was fcaid on the 30th of May, last year, “of the many public demonstrations to-day, none can equal in solemnity that at the Na tional Cemetery at Arlington, near Washing ton.” We admit the peculiar importance of that great city of the dead, with*its twenty- two thousand silent inhabitants, with over two thousand whose names are even unknown on the records of the dead, but are cherished by a greatful country and loving friends. Andersonville has become one of the most important National Cemeteries on the conti nent. There is a book lying at my feet—a book of simple names. It is not a book of deeds—it is not a book that contains the burdens of these hearts. It docs not contain the bur dens of tho loved ones at home; it simply con tains the names of tho martyred dead whose sacred presence is about us to-day. Fron this book containing the names of the dead, ve learn that almost every language, country, city, village and town, has its repre sentatives. The farmer from his prairie home in the West, or from his woodland clearing in the North, from the shop, the store, from the schools and the mines; all classes and climes mingle together here. If at this hour communication could be opened with the sorrowing hearts of parents and children, of wives and friends; and if by any mc.uis their rich floral offerings could de scend upon this sacred spot, the air would bo filled with sweet odor, and the ground for beauty would be as the garden of the Lord. On this National Memorial ’ Day. many fathers »ud mothers will place bright flowers upon the graves of their sons. Many widows, with thdr orphan children, will linger at the sacred spot that contains the sacred dust of the braVe husband and father. To us is con fided thi sacred duty of honoring these dead, as they have honored their country, in the name of - their distant loved ones and their comrades in arms. We come to deck the graves o’ the noble men who endured as well as dared If upoi the blue sky above us there could have been written, as* upon the book of the Angel of God it is written, tho terrible agony that burned in the hearts of these men, as the .ry days and weeks passed away, the burn- grav, uu above them, the scorching sands be neath, the hunger that gnawed their the gaunt wolf gnaweth his prey, dist was poisoning all the blood iu their ve the heart sick, and the pulse faint, i direction:— A thousand aching, breaking hearts, were sighing, sobbing here, And thousands more, for hope was o’er—had sunk in calm despair. And some were dying, some were dead, and some with maniac's rave Called for the dreamless sleep of death—the quiet of the other; while I stand here in the far South, far awav from the uls as i scones of my childhood, aiutynirronuded by one & that that is strange in its character; standing in the i,with j presence of-that flag redeemed by struggles every j such as no men have endured before; standing iu its presence to-day; standing here as a North- ghing. j era man; standing here with a heart that beats for all tliis nation, I am prepared to shake hands with my heart of hearts with every man in this republic that can -■>v v his In a l and make bare his heart, and Le hands under that flag, and recogni; Tiomt And heard a sweet voice often ask, “When will father come ?” He saw the tear on her pale cheek—tho mother of his child. He vainly strove to start, to speak, but only wept and smiled! Unsheltered and un£ed, there lay the widow’s only No hope beamed in his sunken eye while dying there But still he breathed tho name ho loved, and then ho Aud O, the fitful, feverish dreams of homo, and love ho played when he was and joy I Ho saw the spot where but a boy; He eaw tho cot where he was born—so beautiful it seemed: And mother, sisters—all were there; but, ahf ho only For well he knew that morning light would find him ; let thy unchaug- with the “Jesus,” he cried, “remember inglove Sustain my soul in this dark hour, and waft it safe above,**"— I repeat it, if all these heart yearnings could have been written, and all the sighs could come to our ears to-day, we should go away faint with the record and sad with the song; for all this had to be endured without the ex citements of the camp, the march, the bivouac, and the fight, for The hero that wars on the tented field. With his shining sword and his burnished shield. Goes not alone with his faithful band; Friends and comrades around him stand. The trumpets sound and the war-steeds neigh To join in the shock of the coming Bray, And he flies to the onset, he charges the foe, Where the bayonets gleam and the red tides flow. And he bears his part in the conflict dire. With an arm all nerve and a heart all fire. What though he fall at the battle’s dose; In the flush of-victory won ho goes, With martial music and waving plume. From a field of fame to a laureled tomb. Bnt the soldier removed from the excitements of strife, With faint hope to cheer him in the battle of life, Alone in his weakness or strength must go; He may not fly on this fated field; He must win or lose, he most conquer or die. This terrible agony is better understood when-wo learn that this vast army, thirteen thousand seven hundred and sixteen strong, followed so rapidly iu close column that it took but a few days over one year to march this long column through the gates of death to the silent bivouac of the dead. This constant funeral procession had no nodding plumes, or gazing crowd, or weeping friends—no word of prayer or song of praise. We come to-day to blend all these sacred rites, and tender expressions in the services of this hour. If Simonides could inscribe on the monu ment erected in the Strait oi Thermopylae, to perpetuate the memory of tho Spartans who died so bravely for Greece, “Go, passenger, and tell Lacedremon that we died here in obedience to her scored laws,” we may write upon the monument which should be placed in the center of this sacred spot, “Go, passen ger, and teU the world that we gloriously died as martyrs to freedom.” In the presence of the graves of such men who sought the distinction of doing their duty that their country might be saved, party and sectional strife, and the mad ambition for place and power should be rebuked. That our work may be well done to-day 1. Let us plant upon the graves the flag of our redeemed country—a flag respected in all waters, revered among all nations—the flag under winch these men wero marshaled, and iu defending it were made prisoners of W© Honor These men ^vuvn ire huuor the we honor the flag so long as wo protect the weakest when doing right and punish the strongest when doing wrong. 2. With evergreens. To keep in mind tho patient waiting, the heroic suffering, and the noble daring of the honored dead, and to remind us that ail heroes are immortal Iu the tribute I pay to the silent dead I would not forget that heroes met heroes. They were men of our race, bora under our flag and worthy of our steel. 3. With sweet-scented, yet frail flowers: To remind us that our memory aud offer ings for these brave men will perish like the beautiful wreath, except it is enshrined in some permanent offering to their dependent widows and children left to ns as a sacred legacy. These flowers have value for the beauty of their colors and the richness of their fra grance. Our offerings to the memory of these men will have value if in the presence of their graves we resolve to make their depend ent children the honored, educated children of the Republic. These graves of the dead, like a mighty host scattered in every part of this land, are mute witnesses to tho mighty power which has moved this great people, showing resource, skill and ability to endure, dare and suffer. Thank God, and our brave comrades, gwe stand before Ibo world a nation, regenerated, united, baptized with the baptism of blood. To-day we come and the sacrament is the sweet incense of flowers, tho messenger of spring, the poetry of the Lord. The great principles that unite the Grand Army of the Republic, and should character ize every law-abiding citizen, are fraternity, charity and loyaltv, “with malice toward none and charity for all.” We welcome the blessings of peace and pledge ourselves by every proper means to main tain it If the brave men in the visions of the future could have seen this gathering of the loyal men and women of Georgia, this beautiful decoration of flags aud flowers, it would have brought some light where all the fords of the river were so dark and dreary. If by any means this noble army could come back and look down upon this scene, they would sing as did the angels “Gloxy to God in the highest, peace on earth and good will to men.” Let us turn away from the battles and sufferings of the past to the better, present and more hopeful future. There are those whose perversities become consecrated altars before which they worship, where reason and justice can find no audience and a redeemed country produce no joy.— There are those who see nothing in the. pre sent to enjoy, or in the future to hope for, con stantly crying in their sorrows, “wherefore have ye brought us up out of the land of Egypt to die in the wilderness, for there is no bread, neither is there any water. And our soul loatheth this light bread.” The Red Sea is passed and the Canaan is before us, and we are fully able, in the name of the Lord God, humanity and liberty, with the inspiration of the departed heroes, to go np and possess it We are already gathering glorious fruit— Not only have we “secured a more perfect union, established justice, insured domestic tranquility” but the general welfare will be promoted by securing the blessing “of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” to the millions who inhabit our rich and beautiful Through the fortunes of war your kindred are buried in the North and ours in tho South. May the presence of the silent dead still every angry passion; and as we exchanged man for rnnii during the war, so let us exchange the heartburnings and burdens engendered by the strife until they shall all be mustered out of the service. How besutl/ul falls From human lips th*t blessed word forgive! Forgiveness! ’tis the attribute of God; The sound which openeth heaven again. Thrice happy he whose heart has been so schooled In the meek lessons of humanity That he can give it utieranco: it imparts Celestial grandeur to the human soul And maketh man an Angel!” Let us gather beneath the ample folds of our glorious banner, which represents more do main, power, and resource, more sterling men, with a grander future than any other banner that floats in tho breeze. Men of Georgia, men of the South, men of the Nation, I (joint you to the terrible price of conflict as well as to the price of enfranchisement Freedom to act to possess and to vote does not of necessity give nobility or possessions. You must act well, live right, be diligent in business,aud you will make success and compel respect. And here lot me depart from iny manuscript and say that while I stand in the presence of that banner on one side and the authority,and promise to make obedience to its laws the rule of his life. [Applause.] I stand here to-day, also, and say, and 1 want it recorded, that having passed with these men who marched under that banner through four long years of war; having spent days in prison wait ing for tho order-of execution; having witness ed the heroic daring of the men who fought under our flag; surrounded by men with whom I prayed; surrounded by men to whom I ad ministered the sacred sacrament—having wit nessed all this, and remembering tho record of those four lofig dreary years of war, tho man in this Republic who has a heart that not in keeping with the spirit of tho flag of our country, let his voice be silent aud let him be no more heard. I have no use for him. I have no sympathy for him. There is nothing in my heart that beats in unison with his.— May God forgive his heart. I may be charged with coming hero to pro fclaim our victory and to fling my sentiments and opinions in the face of onr Southern brethren. I come here for no such purpose, ftttpkd benfeath the flag of toy country here to-day ready to embrace in open communion ovt.-ry man in this Southern land who will pledge himself to honor that flag and to be loyal to tho government and the country over which it floats. "When I utter this sentiment I utter the sentiment of thirty million of freemen. The sentiments that I utter here are outside of my manuscript I said to my friends when I left my home that I would venture to say nothing down here in Georgia that was not contained in my manu script But when I come here and stand in the presence of the men who 'suffered and died, and whose graves are around us on every side,-1 am constrained to utter the senti ments that bum in my heart, sentiments that I am sure are but the echo of every loyal heart in the land. And now, my colored friends, let me say a word to you. I thank you in thej name of these brave hearts that when some were try ing to escape from these dreadful prison walls, you gave them bread and succor. [Applause.] Their way was dark, their chance almost hopeless, yet yon were their friends, and pi loted them through. I want to say to you that while all is not as bright with you as we could wish, though the day seem dark and the light afar off, yet God will undertake to pilot you through the wilderness. We are bound for Canaau. [Applause.] And we are not boumFalone. The Lord is with us, and tho promised land is right before us. your duty. Be diligent Not only learn to read and write, but learn to read your Bible and the history of the country, and stand up and be men. You are enfranchised. The shackles are off, and we stand here to-day in this grand and glorious presence, freemen, one and alL Governor, I am proud of your constituency. It is a glorious one. Colored men, I ask you to bo true to your noble record of the past I thank you for your loyalty and devotion during the struggle. God bless tho loyal men of Georgia. I come to you to-day from tho North, and say that the North and the South and the East and the West will gather about this glorious banner. And when the final reveille shall break np the bivouao of the dead, may we all have the countersign and pass the sentinel and enter the city of the living God. [Applause.] The forcible and earnest eloquence of the speaker aroused the feelings and the enthusi asm of his hearers, and his remarks were in terrupted by frequent and continued expres sions - or apprcrtMlluur nflcr"Trtilch il» andi ence joined in singing the “ Star Spangled Banner," accompanied by the band. - The personal reminiscences of Lieutenants Miller and Benner, U. S. A., while prisoners at Andersonville, w’ere then related by General Lewis as follows: REMARKS OF GENERAL LEWIS. General J. R. Lewis was then introduced and spoke as follows: Ladies, and gentlemen, and friends: I am called upon to say a word for the glorious he roes who have survived the toils and hardships of Andersonville. I feel all unworthy to repre sent them, though a part of my body lies buried in Southern soiL I was kept from being token prisoner by the bravery of my comrades. Fortunately for us, we have here with us two brave men who have passed through the horrors of this prison. From them I learned, to-day, for the first time, their simple stoiy which they themselves are too modest, or their swelling hearts, stirred by the sight of this place and the remembrance of all they suffered and endured here, will not allow them to re hearse to you. I feel that the story, if told as it ought to be, is more glorious, more heroic, more exciting, than the tales of the Scottish Chiefs or the stories of classic times. lean best represent these men by telling their sim- plo story, as related to me this morning. Lieut Miller, formerly of the 8th Kentucky Volunteers, now of the 18th Infantry of the United States Army, was severely wounded at the battle of Chickamauga and brought a prisoner to Atlanta, where he recovered from his wounds, and from there was carried to Danville, Virginia, where he remained for a long time. Finally by stratagem and by feigning sickness, he managed to escape. Traveling by night and lying by in the day, he made his way to Salem. There, worn out, his hands and feet frost bitten, he was obliged to seek succor in a house, and while sitting by the fire dropped asleep from weariness. When he awoke he found himself again a prisoner, and was confined in the jail at Salem. From thence he was earned back to Danville and from there to Andersonville. He was brought in chains a prisoner, and with hosts of others suffered through tho weary summer of 1864, all the horrors of this prison. He was en gaged with others in an attempt to escape, certain number of prisoners united together and thoroughly organized themselves to make a tunnel under the stockade by means of which they should undermine it and then rush upon the batteries and turn them upon their enemies. They worked at the tunnel night after night until everything was nearly in readiness for carrying out their plans. By the treachery perhaps of their party, or as they think more charitably, by spies secreted among them, as they are unwilling to believe that they had such traitors among their own number, their hopes were blasted. Lieut Miller, then, with four or five other comrades, old soldiers with himself, conceived the idea of digging a tunnel, which should be known only to themselves. They worked at it long and patiently and faithfully until they were near the surface. When it was com pleted they waited for a favorable night to make their attempt. Unfortunately they were not so near the surface as they had supposed, and it took them until 4 o’clock in the morn ing to break through, when they had hoped to reach the surface soon after midnight Two out of the five who commenced tho tunnel died of hardships before tho tunnel was com pleted. Three of them made their way through the tunnel and escaped. Lieut Miller was overtaken by the blood-hounds that were sent upon his track, and was driven to a tree. The soldiers came up and ordered him down, wish ing to see him torn in pieces by tho dogs, but herefused to come down unless the dogs were called away. He was then shotat three times, and finding that he preferred to be shot rather ihw to be torn in pieces by the dogs, they were called off and he was taken back to An derson ville and confined in the stocks for a time; and finally, ho with many of his com rades was sent to Charleston and Florence, and was finally exchanged and sent to Annapolis Maryland, and from there to his home. 1 wish you could hear the description of joy and grat itude with which they greeted the old flag again when they arrived at Annapolis. °Xhe other noble soldier who is also with us here to-day is * Lieut Benner, of tho 18th I»- I'.’s Army, formerly of the 31th Illi nois Volunteers. He was wounded* severely at the battle of Dallas, and token prisoner and brought to Andersonville. When there he ook part in the various attempts to escape that were made. He was finally sent to Florence, and while there he, with other of his brave comrades, made their escape from the prison went to a vessel lying in the river which they supposed was a loyal vessel, but on reaching it they found that it was a rebel cruiser.— Again captured, they were brought back to prison, or at least while on their way there they were guarded by two men. Before reach ing the prison they attacked their guard aud took their arms from them, and a second time made their escape. They traveled only during the night, and I wish I could give you a de scription of their condition at that time. Without shoes, their feet swollen fearfully, and cut with stones and torn with briars, without a hat and with only a pair of old ragged pan taloons, and no other clothing, they made their way for a hundred miles through tho mountains. Turning off from the road in the night to seek shelter for the coming day, they unfortunately crossed an angle ot the road and camped too close to the road again. _ One of their number, worn out by hardships and suffering from tho cold, agaiqst their advice and contrary to the orders, bruit a fire which was immediately seen by a pass ing traveler aud reported to the nearest village. Seeing tho traveler pass, tho camp was moved further from the road immediately, but they were tracked by tho Infernal blood hounds,and were again captured and brought back to prison. Then when his comrades who were worn out by disease were being selected for exchange, he by strategem got himself in the number of those selected, and by careful con duct obtained his release without any dis charge or without any exchange. This, my friends is their simple story. How glorious it would be if it wero painted iu prop er colors ! How many like them there are, all over tlia land! How many unwritten histo ries there are only recorded in the register on high. Dear friends, the beautiful flowers that wc* bring here and strew over these* graves, are but a poor tribute to tho memory of these men. I feel as I speak to you, that hero on this sacred ground we are covered with a halo of glory, spreading ont from them like the glorions aurora, or the blessed bow of promise spread in the heavens. Ladies and gentlemen, the two gallant men of whom I spoke, are here among you, and I am snre that this entire audience desire to have an opportunity to see them. I now have the pleasure of introducing to you these two gentlemen. Dr. Collier—Not ashamed of their record, nor ashamed of their clothes. Lieutenants Miller and Benner were then brought forward and were greeted by the au dience with enthusiasm and emotion. Their handsome resolute faces and gallant bearing confirmed at once, the touching story of their trials and sufferings, so ably told by Gen. Lewis. Dr. Collier then said: Jtfr. President: You will please excuse me for interrupting the order of exercises, but I would tike to say a jvord in regard to these flags. I am sorry we have not enough of these flags to decorate all these graves. If General Collins had come from Washington, as I had expected, there would have beeufa flag for each grave. Now, I would like if they could be distributed, and the flowers also —I hardly know how it can be done—in such a way that the people in every part of the North could feel that they had been represented. We know that the people of the country would not only place one flower upon each grave, but they would cover them with flowerrs that would bloom every month. Every community in the North has its repre sentative in this city of the dead. Let us distribute the flowers over the grves of tho loved ones as best we may, and say to the friends at home that we did the best we ceuld. A friend at home requested that I would find the grave of a dear one and place flowers upon it I promised her that I would. I wish we could deck all these graves to-day with onr floral offerings, but let us do the best we may. BENEDICTION. The benediction was then pronounced by Rev. Mr. Snead: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and tho fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with you forevermore. Amen. ” Tho band then filled the air with the- famil iar strains of “ Auld Lang Syne,” as the vast multitude spread themselves throughout the cemetery and decorated each of the graves with flowers and flags. AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. Just here an impressive scene occurred. As the Governor left the stand hundreds of the colored men and women of that section of the country who had never before seen him, gath ered closely around, grasping his hands and asking the blessings of divine Providence on his head. It was nearly half an hour before the Governor was able to proceed from the im mediate vicinity of the stand, and as he passed along the main avenue, the people ranged themselves on each side, waving their hats and giving vent to their expressions of affection for him. After the ceremony of decoration had been concluded, the crowd separated, many of them passing through the stockade of the old prison, guided by Lieuts. Miller and Benner, who pointed out the old wells and tunnels that had been made for purposes of escape, and gave personal and graphic descriptions of their ex periences while prisoners. TDK RETURN. At 4 o’clock the whole party re-assembled in the cars and the special train returned without accident to Macon, and those from‘this city re turned by the night train and arrived here Tuesday morning, all well satisfied with their experience, and gratified with the opportunity that had been afforded them to do honor to the graves of the martyrs of Andersonville. Enforcing tl»e XVth Amendment. The Bill to Enforce the Fifteenth Amend ment is unquestionably one of the wisest en actments that a nation ever placed upon its statute books. The Amendment itself is a law, and snch is its peculiar nature that, with out additional legislation, it is subject to gross abuses, which would result in evils of serious magnitude. The Democrats virtually admitted this when they opposed it Now that it is adopted, it is to their interest that the antici pated evils should be guarded against by salu tary laws. This, Congress has done, and the entire pack of Democratic organs at one© pro ceed to grind out a discordant protest against anything of the kind. A careful perusal of their objections will convince any on© that they are raised merely because it is a Republican measure, and for no other reason whatever. Snch a coarse is unwise, disgraceful, criminal. Democracy standing by principle is respecta ble; bnt Democracy digging errors ont of tho graves of tho past, and striving to inject into them the poisonous venom of disloyalty, is a spectacle over which “angels might weep.” Progress of Science. The exigencies of meat eating are bring ing into use a very singular table utensil. It is called a trichinoscope, and is almost as es sential to gastronomical comfort as a plate or spoon. Having arranged your napkin, token a slice of ham or saUssage, and prepared it for mastication in the usual way, you lay down your knife and fork, aud lift the trichinoscope to your eye.* The next step may depend some what on tho nature of your discoveries. If the dainty little morsels of pork are alive with those interesting creatures called trichina?, you can go on with your eating with the satisfac tion of having made their acquaintance before taking them iu. The mere sensuous pleasure of outing will thus be joined to tho intellectu al pleasure derived from the study of natural history, particularly the looks and habits of edible parasites. Vine le trichinoscope! No well ordered family should be without it,”