The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-05-13
Hooker,s Reported Defeat and Res

Hookerss Reported Defeat and Rea
treat.
Thursday, 4 o'clock P. NJ, May Z. We
have just read and laid aside the afternoon
Daily paper, containing telegraphic dispatches
announcing the discomfeiture aud retreat of
the brave Potomac Army, which was led into
the late terrible conflict by the gallant and
heroic Gen. Hooker And from the impulse
of the moment, inspired by this untoward
intelligence, we seize our pen to indite these
lines.
1t is natural in circumstances like these
to yield to dependency, if not to con-
sternation and dismay. We weep for the he
roic brave who will return no more to kim
dred and to home. We mourn for our country
distressed by bloody war. But we yield to
no despondency. or even discouragement.-
"Perplexed, but not in despair,--Cast down.
bat not destroyed s
Let the courage of the people rise higher
as the tide of disaster sweeps over us. Let
there be no thought of pause. or holding back.
Dearer then ever is our country and its cause
in the midst of disaster. Up, again, with the
ensigns of the Republic, and faithfully stand
by the Government, and its Qor the timeo
constituted guardians. Utter no dispiriting
words-but utter firm, brave. inspiring words,
from stout, faithful, loyal hearts.
Let true men stand by, and with each 9th
er. Nerve the arm. and inspire the heart of
4l,a a. lx, o,,s a,,l ~,
of brave, patient endurance, by hopeful, patri-
otic, selfsacri6cing devotion to the country:s
| cause, which calls for heartier devotion in the
| hour of disaster, than ever before. And while
wall of anguish goes up from the homes of
the loyal, for slaughtered husbands, sons and
| brothers, let the stern and just resolve go
| forth, to subjugate or exterminate the relent-
| less, incarnate devils who are laying waste
ours fair heritage, and baptising the land in
patriotic blood 49, -
Let every patriotic and loyal man, cheer
/ fully and patiently meet. without murmuring,
or repinipg. every necessary requisiton Of the
Government, put forth for its salvation, in
i this hour of its trial, and its peril.
Bet brave and faithful women, rally again,
i without WEAKNESS and without discourage
1 ment, to the aid of our wounded and sick
braves, languishing far away from their homes
in hospitals, by furnishing those comforts
which female tenderness and sympathising
assidui.y know sowell how to supply.
We yet have country-a noble, a mag
nifcent country. We yet have a Govern
ment, unequalled in the benign principles it
guarantees-a precious legacy, baptised in the
blood and tears of the old heroic fathers. Let
the people, all the people, now show them
/ selves by their patriotism, worthy of the one,
and by their bravery, able to sustain the 9TH
er.
Let the people, in their eommunings, speak
words of cheer and hope. The Ark of the
tCovenant is not yet in the camp of the enc
my.
Stand by the good old flag, which symbol,
izes the very spirit and genius of our free in
stitutions. - 4
Listen not to the croakings of the weak, o.
the hisses of the copperheads but in the high
brave purposes of patriotic virtue, meet al
inevitable allotments, and stand, trusting1y
in enduring firmness,s till the last hiss of th,
copperhead has heralded the venom of it
malignity, and till the last heel of rebel, ha
: ceased to curse the land by its pollutin!
tread. 1865 ). -.
LATER. subsequent news shows that th
/. disasters are not as great as was supposed
when the above was penned. Nevertheless
& let the words stand as first written. Thei
appositeness is not diminished. Battle
: and perils are yet to be met. The loyal ar
I called upon everywhere for both faith an,
T works. Despair not of the Republic. De
: liverance will come. though come it mus
through blood and carnage. The day of ear
nestness, of terrible earnestness, has come
1t has taken long to bring our Governmen
up to this point, but the point is at last reach
0 ed, and traitorous copperheads at home VIII
i pirate treason, and traitors in nopen rebellio
{ must expect henceforth to expiate the penal
: ty of their treachery and their crimes.