ORATION. 25 Blaisdell, we felt a new thrill of devotion. The community that sends such a man as General Stevenson to die is pledged never to desert the cause for which he gave his life. Time would fail me if I sought to recall the names of those who have fought bravely and died nobly.- Honor and fame and gratitude to their memory forever; and better than honor and fame and gratitude, unwavering devotion to the cause which has been hallowed by their blood. Nor does the call to duty come from the dead alone. The mere presence of a brave man like Colonel Guiney, the commander of “ the fighting ninth regiment,” who honors us to-day, ought to arous§ us all. Well might I be silent, and let his “ dumb wounds ” plead for the cause he loves and serves so well. One limit bounds the exercise of unconditional loyalty. It is the limit recognised by that loyal Scotchman, who “ would die to serve his country, but would not do a base act to save her.” No duty requires us to undervalue the courage of our opponents. Self- respect should teach us to cease from thus libelling the valor of our own soldiers. It is time to refrain from ridiculing the “ fleet-footed Virginians,” when we remember that their State has given to the Rebel side the misguided virtues of Robert Lee and of Stonewall Jackson. The time may come when Southern men will no longer sneer at the avarice of Yankees who have sacrificed untold millions for a principle, 4
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