will remain to observe and learn whatever we shall teach them of the mystery of human elevation, and of the progress of the race. Can you weigh, then, the responsibility which rests upon this and all coming generations in this favored land? Let every man among us resolve that he will act worthy of his high place as a citizen of this Republic, in his own individual character, and in the blessing that he may be to those around him. To spread intelligence and religion, — this has now become the duty of every one of us, to that extent which God in his providence has given us in trust. Now, more than ever, we should learn that no man. liveth unto himself, but that we are all our brother's keeper. But let us not forget in our meditations, that this is a day of fasting and humiliation. And this implies that we have sins to mourn over, in judgment upon which God has taken away him whom the people delighted to honor. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may lift you up. Let each man repent of his own individual offences, and deplore the wickedness that, alas! abounds in our midst. Let him, in the spirit of deep humiliation, pray for our rulers, that they may be men after God's own heart; for our people, that they may be established in righteousness; for the noble army that has fought our battles, and won our victories, that, now that they are disbanding and returning to their homes, they may still be citizens in whom we will delight, and, by their civic virtues, as by their martial prowess, become the bulwark of the nation. Let us pray that the benevolence of the nation may flow forth to those who return stricken and wounded; that they may not suffer through those misfortunes which, in our cause, they have incurred. In the words with which that noble paper, to which we have already referred, concludes, "Let us strive to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphans; to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations." The thoughts of this day and this hour will inevitably fade away. It is the fate of all things earthy. But let it not be so with the truths that it teaches, and the impressions that it has made. Let them remain, to be the guiding stars of our national course, and the inward forces by which it is impelled on to its highest destiny! And, resting our thoughts once more on him who has gone, we may well say, "O God! we thank thee that, when needed most, Thou raisedst this priest, this leader, for our aid, - A nation saved thy labor's vast reward." Daily Evening Telegraph, Philadelphia, Pa., June 7, 1865. SPEECH OF MAJOR-GENERAL N. P. BANKS: AT NEW ORLEANS, LA., APRIL 21, 1865. MR. TR. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW-CITIZENS, - It is only since my arrival upon this platform that I have been informed of the part I am expected to take in the ceremonies of this occasion, and could wish for longer preparation, with the view of doing more perfect justice to the subject of the hour; but, in accordance with the wishes of your committee, I will proceed. God knows why it is, or how it is, or for what purpose it is, that we have been summoned here; but now, indeed, can we feel the nothingness of man, and that it is best for us to bow in supplication to God for his counsel and support. The language of the hour is that, not of comment, not of condolence, not of consolation, but of supplication; and we should stand before the throne of God to-day, in sackcloth and in ashes, in silent petition to him for that counsel and support. Human plans are failures: the ideas and purposes of God alone are successful. This very week was spontaneously and unanimously set apart by the American people as a season for thanksgiving and joy, for the great relief which the people had experienced from a terrible war, which had bereft nearly every family in the North and South of its dearest, and draped nearly every family altar as is now draped the national altar. Suddenly |