other words, that the war for the suppression of the rebellion was authorized, and the soldiers and sailors who fought for that purpose performed a rightful, sacred and holy duty.*

6.-On the subject of slavery the position of political parties as they existed in 1860 has been stated.

7.-The United States has proprietary rights in all the public lands, is the absolute owner thereof, and is charged with no trust, but has full power to make all needful rules and regulations concerning same.*

The suppression of the rebellion and the adoption of the XIII, XIV and XV Amendments to the Constitution have made important changes in the interpretation of the Constitution, in the rights of citizens, in the structure and powers of

* These principles are supported by the commentaries on the Constitution of Rawle, Sergeant, Story, Baldwin, Duane, John Adams, Farrar, Paschal and other works, as in the debates in Congress through our whole history.

†The Constitution requires Congress "to guarantee to every State in the Union a Republican form of government." Art. 4, sec. 4.

* Constitution, Article 1, section 8, last clause. Of course, the powers here given can not be changed by any limitation imposed by a State, except as to its lands granted to the United States. See Deed of Cession of Virginia to the United States,

the government, and in its practical adminis tration.

It is not practicable now to trace the history or state the terms or effect of these. It may be said that slavery has been abolished, that its re-establishment has been prohibited by constitutional provision; that all citizens now are entitled to enjoy equal civil and political rights; that the "States Rights" heresies, already described, have been discarded, and the government of the United States is "of the people, by the people and for the people." The experiment of Republican government is not a failure-it is a splendid The Union did not perish, as predicted, by the arming of loyal soldiers to suppress a groundless and unjustifiable rebellion. On the contrary, "when the storming was over, the stars and the stripes on our flag were all there.”

success.

The dictates of interest, of our civilization, and of humanity, all unite in admonishing the present and the generations to come, that the heroic courage of all American citizens during the great conflict may be recognized; that the honesty of

the great mass of those who, under the influence of bad political teachings, and a mistaken belief in terrible heresies, so wrongfully and unjustly engaged in rebellion may be conceded, while we deplore their errors; that eternal gratitude is due to the heroes and patriotic men who bore the banner of the Republic and rightfully fought under its folds in a just and holy cause; that the Nation should fulfil its obligations to them, their widows and orphans, and that for all future time fraternity and good will among all the people who accept the results of the war and cherish the principles of a renovated constitution should be sacredly inculcated and maintained.

Animated by sentiments like these, we may fondly hope that the Republic may endure forever. *

WILLIAM LAWRENCE.

BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO, June 2, 1888.

* This introduction has been written at the request of the learned and able writer of the following chapters, the manuscript of which I have not had an opportunity to read.

W. L.

My First Visit to the Army.

CHAPTER I.

The battle of Kernstown, Va., was fought March 23, 1862. Several of my neighbors and friends were among the killed and wounded. I immediately determined to go and look after the wounded and see that the dead were properly buried. The day after the battle I started for Winchester, Va. As I passed through Columbus I called on Gov. Tod, who received me very cordially. He requested me to bring him a detailed report of the killed and wounded belonging to Ohio regiments who were engaged in the battle. I reached Winchester the third day after the battle. Going immediately to the hospital I found my friends who were reported as wounded. My presence seemed to do them much good. I at once offered my services to help dress the