The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1863-04-02
91sT REGIMENT o. v. I.
CAMP, FAYETTEVILLE. Va,
March 10, 1863.

Ma. BoARDIAN:-Dear Sir: | hope
you will not consider me nm intruder, in
asking permission through the medium
Of your excellent paper, to offer few
thoughts and reflections to my friends
in "Old Highland" andt to your readers
generally, on the deplorable condition
of our country. In Offering them, /
desire to look calmly and dispnssienat ately
on facts, which are obvious to every
candid, rejecting, and rhpreJudiced
mind. And while I would not upon
any consideration, deSignedly add fuel
to the fires Of political or partisan strife,
yOt l cannot refrain from referring to
an element of disunion and treason
manifested in the North. And while
I may be censured by many, for
speaking plainly, yet u hope the senti-
ments may utter will not be condemn
ed, unless found to be void oftruth.
There arc but two roads to travel in
the question under considerntion--but
two sides to this war. And as lover
of truth and right, implore the God of
truth, the God Of nations, and the God
of freedom, to direct my feet in the
right path, and to teach my tongue to
speak the truth, and in the language Of
David, "to lead me in a plain path, be-
cause of my enemies" .-f..
The condition of our country is truly
deplorable one, Yet am firm in the
faith, that it is not hopeless condition.
And while the clouds of war, like
dark pail, have spread over our nation
al sky, hiding from our vision for the
time the sun of prosperity and peace,
still the sun is not selling, as some af-
feet to believe, but only passing be-
hind cloud; and will shortly reappear,
shining with an nndimmed and in
creased brightness for having passed
through the dark cloud. "Tho night
wearoth away" and ''the morning dawn
eth" that shall be hailed by millions of
earth's anxious children with JOY and
gladness never felt before; joy akin
to that rapture which burns in the bo-
som of God and Christ and Angels in
Heaven. --
That thcro are dangers threatening
our most cherished and sacred rights
and institutions, and even our worry ma.
tional existence, I know, but that the
Union is to be destroyed by traitor
hands is as impossible as to believe that
God can forget or forsake those who
put their trtist in Him. God was with
us in the beginnirg-in our'national iH-
fancy; and while we were rocked in the
"cradle of liberty"-in the midst of
wars dread commotion, God watched
over US and protected us in our weak
ness-"until little one became q
thousand" 20 H
Our fore-fathers set up their ban
ners in the name of that God who still
presidss over the destinies Of nntions;
and as they watered the germ of liber-
ty and freedom, with their blood, God
bade 1t germinste and grow; and as it
grew and its branches spread, "The
wilderness and the solitary places were
made glad for them; and the desert re-
joiced, and blossomed as .he tose."-
Victory turned upon the side of those
who fought for freedom; the broad seal
of Gods appreciation rested on their ef
forts, and success crowned them; and all
nations wondered as they saw in it all,
the elements of future greatness, pros
perity and happiness.
But what do wo behold With our eyes
to-day? Our fair hsrltage--the price
of blood and treasure overshadowed
with gloom! Methinks, if tears are CIV.
er shed in Heaven, that angels would
weep as they bsheld the sad sight. We
hear the wailibgs of sorrow and mourn.
ing from every quarter of our land the
breaking heart.strings of wives and
children are sending forth sonnd that
will surely rise to Heaven; and plead
for suffering humanity, and God win