Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-23
WHEELING WEDNESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER %, 1861

adding fresh lustre to that galaxy already
precious with so many recollections, she'd
ing their light far out beyond the isles of
the sea Nations come from far and mon
arch's brows pale at the sight, and the
haggard and worn sons of toll glow with
hope as they gaze upon its folds.
Through the influence OF ourinstitutions
Britain has advanced i'll the cause of free
dom, and her king apparent stands with
| uncovered head and mOistened eye at the
grave of him who, with his own trusty
sword and heroic heart, braved his ances.
tors wrath. Well may Americas sons be
proud of her greatness. Well may stran-
gers of every cline flock to her shores.
Behold her then in her greatness, but
brief period has elapsed since she shook
off the yoke of bondage. Some of the he
roic sons of 10 yet live, while from the
hearts of millions of her children the cry
goes forth 1.-THE UNION MUST AND
SHALL BE PRESERVED Shall this
fair fabric to be destroyed? Is cur adopt
ed land to be made desolate? Never J.
Shall sectional strife dismember our land?
Mol The thoughts of the nation must
be like her rivers, dependent on each por-
| ton alike, mingling and comiuglng freely
lending intensity, depth and volume to our
national influence. Treasure is hard to
obtain; life is dear, but liberty alone makes
life cheering. Let US not then Withhold
our means let US not yield to faction;
perish everything but save our country; death
to traitors but our country must HUe. The
same flag that waves from Bunker's Hill
must float DER Cowpen's field.
What, as aliens, brought us here? The
prospect of freedom. Oar own homes, en-
deared to us with the recollections of
childhood, still live in our memory; but
over all could be seen and felt the foul
hand of tyranny. Like serfs we toiled as
paupers We should have died. Can we
then stand idly by and see our country lie
torn and bleeding? Will we allow our
liberties, our only legacy, to be taken
from us?. We are poor but we are FREE.
Need we direct our attention to the designs
of the Rebels-have they not already de-
cIared that the Germans, English, Irish
and Scotch are not capable of exercising
the right of suffrage. Thank God we are
capable of .fghtingr and 10iIliny, if need be,
to shed the last drop of our 6toOdi in liberty's
cause. Have not the commissioners of tie
rebels sought aid of the British crown on
the conditions that an English Prince be
received as their King? Have they not
impressed and adopted citizens into their
ranks against their earnest protestations?
Have not helpless women and iuocent
been driven from their homes? Is not the
land already baptized with the blood of
our noblest men? Does not the wave of
rebellion roll on, leaving desolatiou and
destruction in it's train? Has not the
shuttle stopped, the plough rusted in the
furrow, while vandalism and cOwardice
light the incendiary torch, burning our
homes, destroying our bridges, and par
alyziug the enterprise of a nation?
We know that they of the South are our
brethren. With many of them we have
broken bread the same roof has sheltered
US; the same fire has cheered, yea, the
same couch has waved us to sIumber. Yet
this should not keep us back. Look into
that happy household. The aged sire,
with silvery locks, gazes lovingly upon
son and grandson. The demon of envy
enters there; envy leads to hatred, hatred
to frenzy; the parricidal hand is raised
against that aged sire. Every hand is
raised in his defence A brothers hand
saves fathers life, but the would be
murderer perishes in the struggle. The
voice of an enlightened nation justihes
the act, while they mourn ut the calamity.
Thus our misguided brethren of the
South, with deadly weapons, and more
deadly hate, have plunged our country in
war. The sword is drawn, but tits drawn
in justice; it's welded with power, but
yet in mercy. Your safety demands it
my liberties are threatened.
The hopes of the world rest upon this
struggle. The grea; problem must now he
solved, and the world convinced that an
enlightened people are capable of. self
government. 1t may be that, as aliens,
we may have nothing at stake. We might
pack our trunks and return to our own ma
tive homes. But recollect our glorious
flag has been desecrated by traitorous
hands; it is Knocked by perjured lips its
light is dimmed its rays are shortened;
and we should find ourselves beneath the
pail of tyranny, with no beacon light to
invite us back to liberty. Let us, then,
brave every danger, dare every foe, who
ever he may be, and see our flag floating
over every foot of our entire republic, or
die in the attempt.
W. C. STEVENS.
2nd Lieut., 77th Reg. o. V.