Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1861-07-18


From our earliest lie we have been
taught to lore the union of shese States
We have been taught TO be icve that our
safety and happiness were Identified with
the preservation of our Federal Union
And the thought shat this union would
indeed be perpetual we have cherished so
close TO our hearts, that It has become a
part of ourselves. Il has nodded our char
ac.cr and influenced AL our lives. often
in the imagiuings Of our hearts have We
wondered how it could be tn this Union
which has been so prolific in blessings,
aud has dispensed these blessings like the
dews OF Heaven equally on all, should
have an euemy anywhere.
We were right in thi. love to our I'm
ion, for it has enabled Us TO extend Amer
lean Institutions and laws from East to
West, from North to South. Il has given
to u, u career of prosperity that fuds no
parallel in History. It has rendered the
name oil American Citizen an honorable
title all over the world; and it has made
our country an asylum and 4 home for the
liberty loving OF every land; and the IN
Auence OF our example has been felt in
other lands, aud the oppressed of Europe
have looked to Us AS the star OF promise
that vas to guide them in their course.
But to-day, my friends, Il dark cloud is
impending over Us, AMI casting its gloom
on every heart. Amid the rrjoicings OF
to-day there is \ feeling OF mingled sor-
row that sits like dark incubus upon Us.
1t wei shs down our joyous emotions, and
fills Us with the gloomiest iorebodlngs.
+ The thought i with us by night and 10y
day, at home AMI abroad. Aud 1t comes
To Us all IL comes TO these children and
youth who have but just entered on the
bright morning OF lie, and fills them with
the tcrrOrs as OF some unknown calamity
which they can not fully comprehend. lt
comes to us in middle life whose more i'm.
mediate duty j; j. to dt lend our country at
all hazards aud If need be to lay down our
lives ia its defense. And it comes to YOU old
men who in other days have testified your
love and devotion 20 your country by
bearing aloft your country's Flag on ma
ny battle field. 1t is the thought OF
sadness suggested by the unhappy condi-
tion of oar country.
One year ago We met within these groves
to do houor to the day. Then our entire
land reposed in tranquil security, aud no
signs were seen of AN approaching storm.
/ Who of u that then met expected within
one year TO witness the scenes OF to-day ?
Some OF those who assembled with US
on that occasion, including the speaker
+ whose patriotic Grafton We heard with so
much interest, are to-day, in obedience TO
the call Of their country. far away from
these peaceful shades. Then the Future
that stretched out before Us as a Nation
was bright rs yon resplendeut sur in the
midday Heavens. Then spread out be.
fore us on every side, and tar As the eye
could reach were the calm and tranquil
waters ever which our Ship OF State was
so calamity making It's way None tho't
OF treacherous depth beneath. But ere we
were aware, ard before the cry of danger
could be given, a Dark and Burning Noun
tain of Revolution was hurled, by hands
from Hell. athwart the course Of that yes
sci for the purpose OF engulphing her in
the yawning waves. But thank God sac
still outrides the storm, though Treason
has done is worst.
To-day, my fellow citizens, We are call
cd upon, as we never before were, to rally
around the Constitution and the Union,
and save them from overthrow. In one
half our Union all is confusion and anar
chy. The Constitution and the AUTHORITY
OF the Laws have been openly set at def
ance. The property of the Government
seized-our troops besieged and slaughter
ed while in the performance OF their duty,
and thousands of citizens compelled to
flee from their homes and country solely
because they were loyal to their Govern
ment. But ere long a righteous retribu-
tion will overtake the men who are thus
seeking to destroy the fairest fabric oil
Government with which q people were
ever blessed.
'.Remem e. him the villain righteous Heaven
In Tn, great day Of vengeance Blast the Trai-
tor
And his pernicious couuseis. who for wealth.
F'rPo~er. the pride OF greatness or revenge
Would plunge his native land in civil war.
But we ought not to despair of the Re-
public while We see such evidences Of de-
vOtion to it by the people as We have wit
messed the last ninety days. Most nobly
have the people testified their devotion BY
rallyiag around the Banner of their coun-
try in the hour of its peril. Two H1u-
dred and Fifty Thousand true men have
already gone TO the tented field, with
brave hearts and strong arms fully deter.
mined to sustain the integrity Of the I'm
ion, and the honor OF lis Flag. Such an
army as this fighting for the maintenance
OF our Government-with Right and jus.
tice on their side--with
Freedoms soil beneath their feet
And Freedoms Banner o'er them"
And above all, with, as believe. the ap-