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to special measures, and been wholly regardless of the views or claims of individual men. While it has often disappointed the eager partisan, it has never offended the just patriot, and has won golden commendation even from those whom it would not lend itself to serve.
That its work has been well and faithfully done—that it has been fairly and impartially done—its records and its publications show "Scripta manent." They remain for the inspection of the Society, and of all who are interested in its success.
What mental and physical labor have been bestowed, none but the members of your Committees can know. Few public offices have received more constant, unwearied, and intelligent attention. How gratuitous and disinterested that attention, is patent to all.
But to pass from the labor to the result. "Finis coronat opus"—the end is the reward. Many a member of your Committees, as he closed his eyes on the night of the memorable 8th of November, 1864, to the glare of a local triumph in which his heart bore no share, felt, at least, that calm serenity which the sense of duty all fulfilled always brings; that having left nothing undone to win success in the great moral battle he could calmly surrender the issues to the God of Nations, and feel that however they should be solved, he, at least, would escape the pangs of self-reproach.
This alone would well repay the effort. How much more the awakening to the glorious spectacle "which flamed in the forehead of the morning sky;" the spectacle of a nation rising from its trials and its dangers fresher and stronger than before; more perfect in its unity, more fervent in its patriotism, and invigorated by the very struggle which had threatened its integrity and its life.
In this triumph, in this regeneration, each and all find their sufficient, nay more, their abundant reward, for much of what were otherwise but hard, dry drudgery—a drudgery performed in somewhat of the spirit in which the bravest or the most gifted performs what were else a menial office for a kinsman or a friend.
So has it been with us. Our country, always nearest our hearts, now doubly dear that she is suffering and torn with
