Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-06-18

regret that Il Is not in my power to bo
present at that meeting, as should love to-
meet my fellow citizens of Belmont County
on that occasion, and mingle my voice with
theirs, in uttering sentiments OF devotion to
the Union, in pledges Of fidelity to the
Governmsnts and in expressions OF Conf
dence in the ultimate success Of our brave
soldiers in their efforts to conquer tho foes
Of freedom and 70. establish the Jurisdiction
Of the Constitution and Flag of our country
over every foot Of territory now desecrated
by the polluting tread Of treason, and cursed
BY the fouleSt despotism the wicked heart
Of man ever conceived.
Who a there, pfter two years experience
in the rough school OF war, inaugurated by
is foes for the destruction Of tho Union,
who would uet<Qyetc see the people Of this
hFsat copdtrj1inHSd happy, prosperous, as
now the deluded people Of the South could
their efforts to destroy it, and would peace
fully return to the enjoyment OF its great
blessings. But the fullness Of time has not
yet come. at
Without cause, they have recklessly taken
an imaginary danger-an evil founded in
ated by the charity of an indulgent Gov
erninent and people. Not satisfied with the
tscit profession, and the strong sympathy
for their pecunisry interests and respect tor
the prejudices oftheir education, that for
so long time had controlled the feelings
and actions Of the slavery hating North,
they sought to fhsten upon the charter Of
onr liberties the crime oil slavery, and make
the people oi the whole country responsible
for the evil. Failing in this, they have
tried with the sword to destroy the Govern.
ment they could not control, and establish
upon its ruins despotism Of which human
bondage should bethe chief corner. stone. i
FUt To long 90 bloody years they have
tread tie wine psess alone. Drunk upon the
fumes Of their passions and prejudices, they
have disregarded the desolation, the suf-
fering, the sorrOw, the want with, which
they have filed their beloved South" and
like Pharaoh Of old they have hardened
their hearts in the midst Of the judgments
by which they have been visited. because
their first born, tie idol Of their household,
has been lctt untouched. But the judgments
OF the Almighty are upon them the strong
arm OF the Government is after the heart
strings Of their IDOL: the source Of their
strength is about TO be dried up, and the
poor, Ignorant, down trodden slave, for whose
oppression they are contending, is about to
become the Avenger Of ibis own wrongs,
and an instrument, in the hands OF
the Government, 10 assist in Furnishing the
violators Of her laws and vindicate the su-
premacy Of her insulted Constitution and
the patriotic heart of the loyal citizen and
soldier, responds, Amen.
In the Ultimate success OF the Govern
ment there is-there can be no doubt, any
more than ntAcrs oaR be IN the justice of our
cause. Disappointed in the extent of the
evil, and retarded in our progress, by the
prejudice and false sympathy OF tho people,
the Government, perhaps, has not accom-
plished, in the two years that have passed,
all that might have been accomplished, had
the Government and people understood the
contest as they now understand it. Much,
however, has been accomplished, and to.
day the star Of hope beams through the
darkness and gloom Of the past, & brightens
up the pathway Of the future.
The armies Of the Government have sue
ccssfully carried the banner Of the free into
euery State in the so-called Confederacy,
and Capitols Of fys of those States are in
the possession OF our armies; and as yet our
military strength 10 not half Developed
Our financial affairs are 10 better condi-
nun S"e ~ "oen s,nce ,ne COM
now hocom;no fnIiv a,onssJ :" the we naoasa;,,, U
ri "snS ,ha sron:y nssns 81, ~ nv tho "oOooy oCsom,
nl;sbmsn, of tha end anJ wbo % Iii Iii s.w o,I ,ba,
when the. full stre-aPth-of tho 6ovefnment
shall be developed, when we shall fully use
the means within our reach to weaken and
blood of hardy North--from whencs con-
nuerine armies always scome-shalI ha bsat-
ed by he rooolleotion of constantly reneated
wrongs and outraees, and bv its onickened
pulsation iuf(tse nav lits and yioor into The
contest, our victories viii not be- mora mn
merous, and our successes more comnlete
IL WINS feared for a wh;ls That tho mouth. .
ina home traitors. who have been narmit.
ted TO utter their treasonnble sentiments
against the Government. and boldlv nvow
their sympathy for the South. would poison
the fountain Of patriotism. and create d;ff;.
culties and divisions that would endanger
the success Of our cause; but the bold and
fearless condemnation of their course by
the soldiers Of the army, and the stern
measures Of the Government for the treat
ment Of the brethren, have had fine Of
feet upon public sentiment, and there il but
little danger to be apprehended from their
influence, IL the ipvI citizens will do their
duty, and full, did tbariehsly meet and ex
pose their reasonable efforts to create dis.
satisfaction among the people, and embar-
rass the action OF the Government.