ORATION. 19 ter to what party or faction he belongs) purposely thwarts the efforts of Government in crushing Rebellion, — if he opposes its policy in war simply because it is the policy of Government, — if for personal or political ends he rejoices in its failures, and makes light of its success, and magnifies its losses, and exaggerates its errors, — if any man, from whatever motive, seeks to weaken the arm of his country when it is lifted against Rebellion, that man is a traitor to America. Here the civilian may learn a lesson from the soldier. When the first day at Shiloh is to be retrieved, or Fort Donelson is to be carried, or Missionary Ridge is to be climbed, then is no time to quarrel about pay or rations or promotions, no time to make ill-founded complaints or well-founded complaints. Then is the time to advance with one tread and to strike as with one hand, till treason yields before united loyalty. I borrow my confession of faith from the lips of one brave soldier, as I find its best illustrations in the lives of all brave soldiers. “ My creed,” said Burnside, “ my creed is brief. This Government must be sustained. This Rebellion must be put down.” And no words can equal the lesson of single-hearted devotion to country, taught by the lives of such patriots as Grant and Meade and Hancock, who seek no end but their country’s good, — who know no politics except her salvation.
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