Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-06-06

not the heart animated and the footstens
quickened by the spirit stirring music of her
heavenly eloquence?
In the history of our country. no eyent has
transpired so pregnant with Importance as
that with which this occasion is associated The
Chiet Magistrate of the Nation has called up-
on the citizen soldiery to rally in defence of
the Government and its sacred laws. Why
this sudden outcry from the sentinel on the
Watchtower of our liberty Why is our firm
ament, lately reposing in the serenity of peace,
and radlantIy beautiful with bright smiles of
promise, now darkened with war clouds charg-
ed with electric bolts of destruction and death?
Who are they that are marshalling their
hosts to destroy our nationality and eopple
into ruins the majestic temple of civil and re
llglous freedom which the good, the yrtuous
and the wise have reared in the land Of the
free and the home of the brave?
Would to Heaven | could tell you that the
invaders came from foreign shores-that the
mlscreants who aim at so direfu consum
nation were the myrmidons and mercenaries
of despotic power. Then would the conflict
be joyful one; but, alas! our foes are thew
OF our own household, brethren of our infan-
cy and manhood, whom we had loved long
and we'll. Ever cOnsiderate of their wants
ana weaknesses, our national policy has been
towards them not only liberal but eminently
protective. They have been petted and pam
pered with political indulgences at the ex.
pense of our own sectional interests and ligni
ty, and now, because intelligent and indepen-
dent minds refuse obedience to their treason
able and Infamous dictation, they rebel
against the Government, nullify its laws,
steal Its property, persecute its citizens, has
ten to supplant the star spangled banner of
blessed memories and inspiring hopes with
the hateful Palmetto, and place the rattle
snake in the aerie of the eagle
To maintain the integrity ofthe Union and
vindicate the insuted majesty of its laws.
should be the first concern Of every patriot.
To fight in a just cause, and for our country's
glory, is the best Office ofthe best of men, and
to decline when such motives urge is infamy
beneath a coward's baseness.
Soldiers, to fight in such a cause, YOU have
been pleased to tender your services to the
Government. May the Man of Galilee, who
ralmed the surging hillOws and hushed the
howiing winds, disSipate the war clouds that
lower on our horizon; but should you be sum
moned from the peaceful associations of your
mountain homes to mingle in scenes where
death holds its wild revel, be animated and
sustained with the consciousness that YOU
battle for God and Liberty.
Your brethren are already in the field -
When the first notes Of the clarion broke the
stiffness of the Juniata Valley. the white flag
OF the L3GanS was unturlcd to The breeze
The morning dawn Witnessed the registry in
Heaven OF their VOWS of fidelity to the glori
Gus Union, and the setting. sun beheld them
gazing with patriotic rapture upon the conse-
Grated banner of their loyalty and love as it
ioated from the dome of the National Capt.
tol. Could the old war chief who.e honored
name they bear appear to day at Wonder
crystal spring. amidst the beautiful surround
ings of which he loved to linger in the pride
of his manhood. how gratefully would he
thank the Good Spirit above for having vouch-
sated to him such perpetrators of his fame.
To you, Captain Mitchell and to your ra,-
liant followers. | commit this sacred gift
" hen an aged matrnn buckled the shield to
her darling Toy she babe him come back ,ciM
1t or on it. So, too, your Ensign must bring
these colors out of the conflict radiant with
honor, or make them his winding sheet. Take
them, SIR and when the revcille of the morn
ing beats 10 arms-when the MONDAY sun
looks down upon the struggle for victory or
death-when the tattoo of the evening bids
the weary soldier rest, oh, then, remember,
and at all times Remember. that those loved
ones whose pure and patriotic hearts have
that donation. will be continually
supplicating the God of battles for Your sue
cess and safety, and thus will you be nerved to
Strike till the last armed foe expires
Strike for Your alti,r~ and vnur fires.
STRIKE for the green graves of your sires,
Tod ana your native land"