The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1863-01-08
Yet we can glvs,a as Is most Justly due,
Fer all our thanks unfeigned; end ever strive
To do His will, and trust Him while we live.


To do His will, and trust Him while we live.
How sad tb picture Rs we turn each page. :.
A nd trace the record there so deep engraved
OF the past years history dark and deeply stained
With the life blood Of freedoms pOblest slain
A nd though twould seom the vias OF Gods wrath
Are on ihisiand accuued, now pouring forth;
A nd heavy clouds ofdark, porteutious gloom
Hang like pail, enshrouding all In gloom;
hough fearful tempests threaten every hour
To burst upon us with resistless power.
A nd surging bilows dasbing wildly, rave
Around our shatter red bark each swelling wave:
With force terrific, threatening to overwheim.
Yet Hrm we stand and fearless--forat the helm
There is pilot whose unerring skill
Can shield from harm tho raging tempest stilil
And in his own appointed time and way,
This fearful struggle end-ts terrors stay
Behold our country! once the Joy and PRIDE
OIevery happy land; and far AVID wide
The boast OF ofnaons! Its stars and stripes unfurled
In honor waved triumphant DER the world
And as band OF brothers, brave aud free
Around the emblem Of our liberty,
United rallied; and overy patriot son
Revered the boon, so proudly, bravely won!
How dark The picture now ! distracted, torn, ..
nd rent by trato rous hands, fair froedom's homo,
Is now land of blood, and deep and wide
The crimson tidchas rolled Its surging tide
Has swept resistlsss DER the mighty West,
That rich in beauty Ike a garden vast,
In fragrant freshness biuomed, now stripped and
with sad mem ntOs scattered here and there, f.
or the aerce battles strife o'or all its plans
The deSoiattng scOurge ofterror regns!
and In the footsteps oc this armad host
| A ppears barren and desert waste
While through the borders of tho sunny South,
Where peace aud plenty hand in hand went forth, ,
DiSpe nsing every good now famine, want and crime
Stalk forth unblushlng; and from freedoms shrine
Where heart with heart in sweet communion bow cd
And loves endearmen nts round its altars flowed
Lit up by FRIEND ships pure ard sacred fame,
Which through long years unbroken had remained
We n ow behold dissension, deadly hate!
NJ ost horrid destitution and revolt
anL echoing DER It's Howery, vine lad hills
The drums long roll, the bugleloud and Shrill,
Summons to arms! while ,mld the cannon's roar, .
with hurying tread, thousands on thousands pour
Mid shouts defiant, leaden showers like hail, "
Making tho stouteSt heart with terror qnail, .f
| As falling 'rouLd them hick on every side, -
The young, the noble, and the brave are laid
While agonizing Sroans ring wildly out,
| A Above the battles din. or victor's shout.
While rebels, traitors aim u deadly blow,
And seek by every means to overthrow
What once their fathers uobly, freely gave
Their hOnors, fortunes, aud their liyeslto save!
And thus have thousands 10 the field been led,
Like dumb beasts to the slaughter, uncared,
| lIr..,. Cos hy thnGa aofaF
Who through long and weary days aud nights of fear
Mingled with hope. watchedf for some tdngs borne
But vainly watched. from the long absent one;
Till faint and sick at heart, at length they reat
| Among the list Of "killed aud missing" words
That seem to make the very hearts blood chill
Snd cause lifs's beating pulse to stand quite still
And all for what? And oh! how long-how long
Must this terrific strife be yet prolonged
low many more who seem our country's hope,
Must be upon her altar yielded npS
How many sorrowing hearts and anguish ed toar',
And widows piteou, cries, and orphan'stears;
How many homes still dcsolated made,
Ere this wide, deepening tide can yet be stayedf
Oh! let us hope that soon this darSsome night
win pass away, aud the clear, morning light
OF happiness aud peace be uSberedin
With joyful accamations and this nation'ssin
As now 'twoud seem so deop atoned for-be
Forever bioltcd OUT from memory!
: nd dare wehope the glorious day will dawn
The day Of jubilee! When the oppressed al
wronged
Shall joyous hear the long sought welcome sound
Proclaimed to each? y ben those with feiterj bour
Down troddcn and enslaved shall rise to claim
Among mankind the hOnOred rights of men?
No longer held as " "chatues''-sold nd bought,
Aud save in value, deemed a thing o fnaughil
But ransomed with price, how costly made,
Thousands on thousands, who have freely laid
Their lives on Freedoms altar can fnli well
Auestl God grant il may be so Farewell.