Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-07-18
From the 9Th Regiment
CALP pear ALExAsDT1A, July /. 1862
rAE FouRTu OF JULY, 1862.

THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1862.
Mr. Editor:-I have been sitting 10 my ten,
for come time rejecting upon the history of
oar country, thinking Of what it has been, OF
what il now is, and the probability Of what it
may be. Aud invvluniurily have been led
to exclAim, my country, how changed Alas.
how changed Yes, the Fourth ofJuly, 1862
HBds it sadly changed from what it has hitb-
erto been; instead Of prosperity and peace, We
have confusion and war. War Of the most
terrible kind A war in which brother is a.
gainst brother, and father against son. A
war Of cruelty and wrong on the one side;
just, but determined and in earnest on the OH
er. history tells US that Romans overthrow
Rome" it will also record the fact that Amer
Jeans attempted to overthrow America. Yes
they who have professed to be citizens of these
United State have sought the destruction of
the Government, unmindful Of liberty, regard
less of consequences, and despising the bless
ings which our glorious institutions vouched
safe TO them, they have plotted, connived and
assisted at its overthrow; lei on by a. false aud
unholy ambition, they have sought the desirue-
tion Of this lair temple Of liberty, and thus
far have snccerdcd but too we'll. But the
true patriot of today is az much as ever, IL
not more determined 10 preserve and maintain
these principles Of freec government which
have been handed down TO Us by the patriots
and martyrs Of tue revelation, and to "trans-
init them uninpaired to pesterity" EYery
true patriot or lover Of his country, who is,
or has been, citizen Of the United States,
well understands What hallowed recolleetious
are associated wifh aud cluster around every
recarrings anniversary Of tie glorious and i'm
mortal Fourth ef Ju.y, 1T76. With it is as
sociated the lame Of a Washington, Tafa-
yette, Henry, Jefferson, a Hancock, and
host Of others no less conspicuous for the de-
voliou and zeal manifested in cause, the sue
cess Of which has bestowed upon Us all that
has hitherto constituted US great and happy
people. But the thought here occurs that
doubtless there are many to whom Fourth of
July celebrations and Fourth of July orations
had become old, stale and insipid; resting un-
der the broad banner of constitutional liberty,
and besking in the sunlight of prosperity, they
have thought such things unbecoming so great
a people; and considered those who INDUCED n
them as weak aud of small minds. Ii is to
tie regretted that such has been the case, for il
may reasonably be assumed that thus much
love of country has been lost, the effects oi
which are plainly visible. But notwiIhstand-
ing this there are thousands to whom this an-
Diversary will appear doubly dear. and they
will hereafter remember it as the day on which
their love Of country was renewed. Some
there are, no doubt, who are willing to of8cr
up all they possess as sacrifice upon the al
tar Of their country, but who have great fear:
as TO the result. would say TO them: Wha
if horrible discord is beard in portions OF oul
land, and dark potential clouds hang in biacl
folds over our devoted heads, and peals of ter
rife thunder reverberate from hilltop to hill
top2 What though "the lightnipgs red glars
is painting hell on the Fky?' Is there no
visible, through the wild terror Of this fearfu
storm, some bright spot on the horizon? Ii
there no light breaking through the SURF ouud
ing glooml 1t is manifest that there is pat
riotism with the people, that we yet have
government, and that that government is de
termined to maintain itself at all costs. Per
haps the death shrieks Of thousands of ou
copntryIs noblest and bravest sons will We
mingle with the roar Of cannon But W,
must not stop or falter now; the work must g,
on, though we turn sick at the sight of tht
slaughtered and the land be dressed in mourn
ing. 1t would be better thus than that trea
son should triumph, and the only free govern
ment be o=erthrowD; aAd mans. hope of sell
government be forever blasted. Reader,
you would do good by rendering service t
your country, then profit by the example Q
the heroes Of '76. Though you may not b.
permitted to 60 to the field, yet you can d.
much to aid and cheer those who are there
you can do this in many ways, the most i'm
portant Of which is: Cease your prating upo
The abolition of slavery-know no party-b
an honest man and not a political trickster
Be faithful to the Constitution, let your voie
be heard in opposition aud in denunciation o
treason, be in favor Of the enforcement Of til
laws and render what other assistance yo
can to the soldiers in the field; then you wi
be worthy the name ofa patriot and the eoun
try in which you live. When such become
the ruling principles, then We may look for
speedy return Of peace and predict brigh
future for our now unhappy country. Lel
therefore, no reyerses dishearten US, but rathe
prompt us to more determined action. can
not believe that so great and good a govern
unent as ours can fall; but II its does, the in
scription may read: AMERICANS DEsTRoYEl
AMERICA. Let us hope for better things; an,
while we trust in Him who directs the desti
nv Of nations, let rs look 70 it that we do on
whole duty, regardless Of selfinterest, with a
eye single TO the good Of the whole country
and we need have no fears for the result
Respectfully yoHrssss&c.,
H. G. bLDS.
Comp. Z. 66th Reg O. VI.