Randolph journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1862, 1862-08-22

%tionary Fathers be ore our independence
was won. Ia the shade Of its bright folds
the Republic was born. Ia the constellA-
ton Of I'M, there were but thirteen stars;
It's heaven Of blue is now radiant with
thirty four glittering symbols Of Liberty
and Union. In that day three millions Of
true men wrcsted civil and religious lb
erty from Great Britain;-to-day twenty
five millions Of Freemeu are struggling 70
retain a patrimony rich with countless
blessings. You 90 fo.th To the field ID
secure to each star It's equal place upon
this proud old flag, and to each citizen Dis
equal right TO share in the bountics Oh this
great inheritance.
The American flag was first displayed
in battle on the memorable It'll day Of
October, l777, on the field Of Saratoga,
where our arms achieved suck imperisha-
bic lauels. 1t vas then, as j. has ever
been since, the bannrr'of victory. 1t had
a beginning suspicious and glorious. From
the day atsaratoga it has been borne from
battlefield to battlefield but to secure
one triumph after another. 1t hOated over
the nights Of Yorktown where the veter.
an suldiery of CORVALLIS surrendered TO
our superior prowess, and it waved in tri-
umph over the ancient Halls Of the Mon
tezumas. Ii was at Monmouth, at Cow
pens aud at New Orleans. Washington,
and Putnam and Jackson fought in its
shadow. British soldiers in two sanguin-
airy wars have acknowledged its majesty,
and the swarthy Mexican has covered be.
fore it. 1t has been borne across a broad
ocean, where u coerced respect from Tu-
mis-, Algiers and Tripoli;-it has protected
our commerce on every sea and in every
port, and the rights Of the American citi-
zen in every country in the world. 1t has
unlocked the prison doors of the proudest
monarchies of the Old World, and struck
Off the chains from the limbs Of the cap
tive. il v.ndicated the rights of the
humble Martin Costa, and the oppressed
and down-trodden Of every ~despotism find
shelter and protection beneath it. 1t was
baptized in fire and blood on the fields Of
the Revolution to secure US a Nation;--it
is now passing through the same fearful
ordeal to save a National existence to
thirty millions of free people.
Take this flag and bear it with YOU
Bear it with courage and bear it in honor.
The dead who fell Sc gloriousiy in its de-
fierce at Donelson, at Shiloh and before
Richmond appeal to you, and bid you do
so. You go to the rescue Of your broth
ers and friends who have gene to the field
before you, and who now loudly call upon
you for aid. You 90 to preserve the Con
stitption Of our country-to secure the
indiyisibility of the Republic, and to vim
dictate, in the face Of European despots,
the great truth Of your capacity to govern
yourselves. You do not battle for a king
or for a starred and pampered nobility, but
for a country where every man is the
equal of a king. You do not fight for the
"diyine right Of kings but for the God
given rights of human nature. Every
blow you strike will be heard and echoed
and re- echoed through the countless years
of the future. You act not only in the
present, but for Immortality. The Nation
is attacked-you have rallied in its de-
feusc;-rebcls threaten to subvert Consti
t%utional gov eminent, and it is your glori-
Gus mission TO assert its supremacy. Go
with the strong resolve to conquer that
. Liberty and Union" shall be zone and
inseparable-now and forever
But another word and ! am done. It
has been well said "thas Of the book Of
lie there can be but one edition-as you
write il SO il shall remain forever" The
types ret MP to-day for your lifc-history
ere to- morrow comes are st,rcotypcd for
Eternity! TO day you are writing an inn
portaut page. Let no blot mar the bright
reconcile no unworthy action blacken
il, but make il as YOU may, and as hope