The American spirit.
In consideration of all our traditions and our present vantage ground as a Nation, let us cherish a strong American spirit.
Not a proscriptive or prejudiced, but a characteristic Americanism in both the native and the naturalized citizen.
Our country is not isolated from other nations, but it is indeed differentiated from them by its form, its policy, its people and probable destiny.
It was not born great and had no greatness thrust upon it; but it has achieved a greatness that is not
European, nor
Oriental, but purely American.
The blood of all
European tribes has been pouring into our National body, and we have feared the development of foreign traits; but the predominance of the
American spirit will secure the
American character.
The laws, the institutions, the ideas and even the language of this country will be distinctively American.
A peculiar people, bearing in character, manners and views the impress of strong American individuality, has risen, and will reign in this country from sea to sea. The type is not in process of formation; it is already formed and the development cannot be arrested.
The typical
American has unbounded faith in the wisdom of his country to devise its own policy, in its power to execute its own will, and in its goodness to preserve the liberties of its people.
My Southern Comrades: When the victorious veterans of the
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Northern armies formed their great association I was charmed by the modesty with which they adopted the title of the Grand Army of the Republic, for I supposed they felt that a people could be grander in defeat than in triumph, and therefore left the survivors of the
Southern side the privilege to be called the
Grander Army of the Republic! But when both armies are found united as they now are in the fellowship of the
American spirit, and emulating each other in eulogy of the
American soldier, they present a sublime spectacle while passing in review before the
American people, and win for themselves the right to be called the grandest army of the
Republic!
I feel sure, therefore, by this fraternal regard for each other's valor, patriotism and convictions, you will not be asked to strike no more the resonant, tuneful chords of memory in proud recall of marches, bivouacs and battles where the columns in gray added new martial glory to American chivalry.
Your battle banner, stripped of all gory significance and meaning only the memory of a comradeship in arms, although radiant yet with stars that bejewel the red cross, signifies the luster shed upon the whole
American name by the intrepid courage of the brave young Southerners who bore it aloft through storms of fire.
That emblem need not be furled, for it has no honorable foe who demands its disgrace; shows no stain upon its bullet-riven folds, means no fight, frightens no man of sense, and only inspires the
Southern patriot to love, follow and defend the star-spangled banner of his country.
My Southern Countrymen, your fathers gave our nation much of its territorial greatness; they evolved into chrystallized beauty the elements of human liberty under constitutional safeguards; they bore their part in the material uplift of this land to the present crest; they shed their warm, rich blood freely in all wars for your country's sake, and therefore, by all well acknowledged reasons and rights, your voice will be potent in the councils of your countrymen, and your influence felt in the future achievements of the
American people.
May God speed you on your patriotic way, my native
South!
May our whole country trust you, my noble Southern Land, and millions yet unborn rise up and call you blessed!
