The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-01-07

Ea= Another Year has gone; a year O.
agony and blood The mad spirit that melted
= few politicians to rebellion, bas sjCead until
its frenzy fills the hearts of tea millions OF
people. The war, expected to be so short, is
still drawing its slow ieEgth along" and
from Maine to Texas it occupies the time and
thought Of every citizen. It has been a year
filled 10 overiownE with bitt sorrow.
Hearthstones, once bright. are now gloomy
with the pail of the absrlt fallen the father
has shed his blood for his country the son has
sickened an died, aHI the friend has gone
from US forever and no loving hand Smoolhed
his dying pillow. The timc fraught with so
much misery has not been altogether unpIo-
ductive Of good through fire we are pcrif d.
Men may disappear, but If thew have left an
enduring work behind them their meuorv will
be BLESSED in future generations if Freedom
gains the supremacy by this eifusioa Of blood
il will not have been in vain. Since the first
dawn Of Liberty in this country the despo,s
crime has blackened its fair fame the effect
~ first scarcely GiSccraabie 1t WAS expected
soon TO remove, but as years were added TO
years |: assumed greater proportions until TO-
day il covers the whole nation with darkness
and blood. Great and good men prophecied
for II 4 short life; its name was carefully ex-
were but few; its political importance was
incolsiderable; and its speedy death consid-
cred a foregone conclusion. Slavery fairly
fastened upon Us soon grew into q giant poll
tical power. Increasing with its years it at
last stood in the Senate Halls of the United
States to demand special privileges and when
mind CverpOwered matter, it struck the cow
ards blow and held the towards weapon.
With its knife at the throat of the Union its
demands have been the most inceSsant and its
;hreatS the most diSloyal. A stout resistance
10 these encroachments years ago might have
avoided much misery, but doughfaceism and
party policy in the North instead of resisting
favored the designs of these murderers it
waited but to find a President whose weak
principles would enable them to grasp the
power of the Government and perfect plans for
its overthrow. Such man they found in
James Buchanan. Fremont's election would
have deferred the war, but could not have
prevented it. The spirit that taught the South
20 hate the North never released its power
FROM the time of the unsuccessful attempt of
1882 to the more successful effort of 1861.
Freedom and Slavery were from their very
natures antagonistic, and if they existed on
the same continent it must be through fear or
partizan policy. And now, the time prophe-
cled by John Randolph, of Virginia, is upon
us and we must meet it like men. The coward
heart deserves not country, home. or friend
AS time passes along, and as victory seems to-
day upon our banners and Tomorrow upon
the Rebels let our hearts be mace strong by
victory and more determined by defeat If
we watch closely the effects of the wa we NAV
discover adyancements that well nigh pay for
the blood shed. The Presidents Proclama-
tion is only one Of the benefits accruing from
this unholy war; it is good worked out thro'
evil. The price has been a precious one. but
the end glorious. The old stain will be wiped
out, and if ever again we are united nation
1t will be purely Free Nation. Foreign des-
pots who enyied u in the Old Union will fear
US in the New. Suffering will come, perhaps
we have not had the half yet. Let it come,
the Power that sends it viii strengthen us to
live through it. Let us be hopeful for the
future Cast off all forebodings. Pray for
Aloyful heart. We will not be scourged above
what we can bear. Surely the only Republi-
can nation on the earth cannot die.