Ellis Speech

The Major William L.A. Ellis Collection

Post-War Speech (circa. 1865)

Below is post-war speech addressed to "Friends and Fellow Citizens". We presume the speech is written by Ellis only because it was found among his personal papers. The speech is however, unsigned and undated, although it was clearly written sometime shortly after the war.

This speech conveys great emotion and sadness. The style and words used in the speech, although quite eloquent, at times sound odd to the modern ear. Ellis was apparently quite well-read, as he quotes a variety of noted authors and poets throughout his speech. Where appropriate, we've footnoted recognizable quotes (or "near" quotes) used by Ellis in this speech. Written words we were unable to determine due to the poor quality of the document have been replaced in the transcription by a series of asterisks - ****** - if possible representing the number of letters in the word we were unable to transpose. In some cases where the word is missing due to poor quality or a hole in the page, we have inserted a word if it appears obvious in relation to the sentence. We've tried to retain the original spellings used by Mr. Ellis, although these too sometimes appear odd (or misspelled) they do in most cases reflect common spellings for words used of that day.

	Post-War Speech found in the papers of Capt. W.L.A. Ellis - Page 1 Friends and Fellow Citizens – The dreadful storm which has raged so furiously for more than four years, desolating our once prosperous and happy country has passed and gone – the dark and lowering cloud which enveloped our nation as a people and from which we heard the thunderings of destruction, have evanished. The surging waters of the mighty flood have subsided and the voice of the turtle is heard[1] again in the land. The brazen throat of war[2] is hushed. The Canon’s loud roar has ceased. The bristling bayonet has been sheathed forever and man returns to the more congenial avocation of life. Following in the pathway of the bosom of desolation[3], the heart grows sick** when we behold the scattered fragments of our once proud temple of liberty. The tall pine has been made to bow its lofty head. The majestic giant of the forest has been uprooted. The drooping willow lies prostrate and the lambs flower just unfolding its beauties has been withered forever. Truly, “Man’s inhumanity to man, makes countless thousands mourn[4]”. Nature has relaxed her vigours and we relapse into our primeval state. Footnotes: [1] “Voice Of The Turtle”, King Solomon, Son of David [2] John Milton, circa 1650 [3] “The Kanzas Region: Forest, Prairie, Desert, Mountain, Vale, and River”, Max Greene, 1853 [4] Robert Burns, circa 1780.**
	(Page 2, backside of page 1) It would be inopportine on an occasion like the present to detain you with a lengthy dissertation on the causes which induced and the effects which have followed this horrid and cruel war through which we have just passed. This we will leave to be attested to by those who will engage in the contest of parties for power. We have all experienced the sad consequences of civil war, and from this experience we may learn a lesson of heroic endurance that may be transmitted with benefit to our remotest posterity. The past should be studied, and, as it will be, remembered. The surest light by which we can be guided in directing our efforts for the present, or in speculating for the future, is a knowledge of the past. Experience is indeed the true lamp of philosophy. Man calculates the consequences of action by referring to consequences which in the past have resulted from those actions where he looks forward into the future with its mysteries, secrets, and wonders, then mysteries, secrets, and wonders flee before his experienced eyes when this past has been studied and remembred. Though our experience is a sad one, and though we have failed in the attainment of the great object in view, nevertheless the
	(Page 3 – first side second paper) study of the history of the past four years maybe made profitable and instructive. In our giant like, yet unsuccessful struggle for independence, the true manhood of America has been developed for the admiration of the world. We are taught what man unassisted may accomplish in any undertaking [by] resolution & perseverance. Although we have failed to throw off what we conceived to be an oppressive gov’t and to relieve ourselves of an unpleasant association with the northern states, and to establish our independence as a separate nation, and though this reflection may be humiliating to our proud natures yet there is much left to encourage and of which we can justly boast. Historians have recorded eulogiums and poets have sung peans in praise of the gallant sons of ancient Greece & Rome, yet their twinkling stars must hide their blushing heads when the glorious sun of Southern Chivalry [comes] rejoicing in the east. From Sumpter’s crumbling walls to Allegahney’s, loftiest peak, not a hill or a dale but can attest to the enduring philanthropy and their unsurpassed gallantry of noble southern sons. From Maryland’s battle scarred shores to the banks of the great father of water in the west not a tree or flower but has blushed with patriot blood. From the spacious mansion of the rich to the
	(Page 4, back of second page) humble cottage of the peasant, not a dwelling in the land but has lost some of its brightest ornaments. Not a family circle in which there is not a vacant chain not a carket but from which has been [plucked] or [plundered] some of its costly and most highly prized jewels. Hundreds and thousands of its very flowers of our country have fallen victims on the field of blood, having offered up their lives as sacrifices to the insatiable bad of war. “They fell devoted, but undying[5]”. Far away from home and kindred, with no mother’s gentle hand to smooth thy dying pillow or sister’s voice of love to soothe thy weary soul. Nor the fond embraces of a doting wife’s warm affection to lay [me] down to die, yet thou shall live forever in the hearts of thy countrymen. “What though no funeral pomp, no borrowed tear, Your hour of death to gazing crowds may tell. No weeping friends attend your sable bier, Who sadly listen to the passing bell! Yet shall remembrance from oblivion’s veil, Relieve your scene and sigh with grief sincere; And soft compassion at your tragic tale in silent tribute pay her kindred tear.[6]” “There honour comes a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps thy clay, And freedom shall awhile repair To dwell a weeping hermit there![7]” Yes, let us cherish the memory of the noble dead. Tread lightly, as you pass along, [over] the little Footnotes: [5] The Siege of Corinth, Lord Byron, 1816 [6] Occasional Elegy, William Falconer, circa 1760 [7] Collins. 1746
	(Page 5, front of third paper) grassy mound and brush not away the *** glistening tear, but let it flow as holy water to consecrate the last resting place of the champion martyr to freedom. And what shall I say of the women of the South. God bless their dear souls. They have [received] the fame of the noble [southern] mothers in their unselfish devotion to their country’s cause. Never did the devotes of Otaheite or Tongalaboo bow more reverently at the shrine of Ord. or offer up their infant offspring as sacrifices to the great Wars of the Pacific[8], than did these mothers & daughters offer up themselves and all that was near & dear to them upon the alter of freedom. A***** [the] **** * ** upon the highway, in the streets, on the battlefield, in the thickest of the fight [when] the canon’s roar was loudest and the glittering steel flashed brightest amidst the carnival of dealth, could her gentle voice be heard urging on with words of cheer to deeds of [nobler] daring, [him], who to her was dearer than all else on earth – and when that [*] out I *** which had been [born] to the [breast] of battle was [pierced] by death’s most fatal [misery] she became a ministering angel to [staunch] the stream of life – to cool the parched lips and to soothe the dying soul with words of consolation. “O, lovely woman, to every blessing born! For you, may life’s calm stream unruffled run;** Footnotes: [8] Ellis appears to be referring to wars in the South Pacific, including Togatapu (or Tongalaboo as it was referred to in some nineteenth century writings) versus Samoa in 1837, and Tahiti (historically known as Otaheite) versus France, 1844.
	(Page 6, back of third paper) For you its roses bloom without a thorn, And bright as morning shine its evening sun.”[9] But spared in the dispensation of an Allwise providence, the vetran soldier boy returns to the home of his childhood [alive] The Jessamine chambers in flower o’er the thatch, And the swallow sings sweet from her nest in the wall; All trembling with transport he raises the latch, And the voices of loved ones reply to his call. A father bends o’er him with a look of delight – His cheek is impearled with a mother’s warm tear – And the lips of the boy in a love kiss unite, With the lips of the maid whom his bosom holds dear.[10] [live] [he] [ **] [m] be profited by your experience and act [ * * * * * ** * * ] of life – So [bright] yourselves cheerfully to the po*s her and conform with manly disposition(s) to the established laws of the l* cultivate the moral virtues, and develop to perfection the better qualities of your nature ** ply yourselves assiduously to the task of your [own] and the happiness [of] * * be surround* **** ** **** *** mankind by your [honore] [deeds] upon the field of battle so may you win the approbation and smiles ye even the hearts and hands of the fairer sex, by a display of your knightly prowess in the [warfare] of love. Consecrate yourselves as humble not*** [it] woman’s shrine. Footnotes: [9] A popular poem of the day, author unknown. [10] Poem, “The Mariner’s Dream”, William Dimond, circa 1820