Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-07-07
The Good News of Victory.

The Good News of Victory.
The Fourth Of July had been dlll, rainy, and
spiritless enough here until at o'clock the light
ming flashed to US the glad tidings that the army
Of the Potomac, after hard-iought battle, had
beaten the rebel Invaders under Lee, and turned
back the msrauders, in defeat, toward the Poto-
mac. This intelligence brought relief and hope
to m any hearts which had before been quite in
tune with the melancholy and weeping heavens,
and we began TO remember with thrill Of patri-
otto pleasure and exutaton, that the day was a
national anniversary, day OF jubilee. General
Meadss official dispatch, so modest, and free
from Boosting, seemed prophetic of better things
10 come, and we waited in confidence, yet with
the greatest impotence, for the next word from
the telegraph. This came Sunday morning, more
than confirming all the good news Of Saturday,
and showing the rebels in full retreat, pressed
holly by Meades victorious columns. Monday
morning the news grew still better, and what be-
fore was unofficial, and so open to a possible
doubt, was made perfectly sure over the sigma
ture OF Gen. Meade.
There is no need to critically compare the
kilograms which we publish, to ascertain just
what can be fully credited, and what may be set
down as a fight Of an imaginative correspondent
We know there has been victory and decisive
one. We know that Lees army, after assailing
the firm columns Of the Army Of the Potomac
"Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, was repulsed
with terrible slaughter, and on Saturday sought
safety in retreat. We can understand that the
rebel invaders fought as they never fought before.
They were flushed with their successes 10 over
running all Pennsylvania south ofthe Susquehanna,
while they remembered Fredericksburg and Chan
cellorsville and their victories at those places over
the same army that now confronted them. They
knew, moreover, that defeat was ruin to them,
while, if they beat again the Army Of the Polo
mac, the roads to Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Balti
more and Washington we're open. The
prize for which they struggled was a glittering
one, and for it they nigh, we'll hazard great risks.
But, II they Initiated the audacity aud strategy
of Napoleon, like him they found their Waterloo
ct last, and, instead of moving to victory on the
stricken fields about Gettysburg, they have been
compelled 10 seek safety for the remnant Of their
defeated army in hasty retreat toward Virginia
and even this avenue Of escape seems now but to
promise them entire destruction.
And, 10 this hour Of rejoicing and exultation
let us not forget to give thanks to Him who do.
eth His pleasure in heaven and among the armies
Of men, who raise,h up and casteth down, anC
whose Hand guideth the nations of the earth
The President appropriately and devoutly, OF
the reception Of the good news, called upon the
Nation to praise the Lord and, we trust, al
loyal hearts responded 10 the call, and that in ev
cry church throughout the land, the Sabbath thai
followed the battle was made vocal with pras,
to God who give,h us the victory.
And let us next remember the gallant soldier
in the army Of the Potomac, through whose stead,
courage, whose endurance Of long marches and
painful fatigues, whose bravery on the battle field
and whose devotion to the Stars and Stripes eve,
floating above them, have under God won for tn,
Republic this signal victory, aud delivered til,
fair homes, the smiling fields and the rich har
vest Of Pennsylvania from the ravages Of rebe
invaders. To them be all praise. They have
noby fought and goriOusly won the seversst battl,
OF modern times. They repulsed and shattered
the best appointed and best differed army 10 the
rebel service. And itnow only remains for them
to follow up this victory bya pursuit that shall
make Gettysburg to the rebels what Waterloo
was to Napoleon, rout and an utter destruction
to the proud army Of invaders. We believe they
will do it.
And let US not forget in this hour of rejoicing
at what cost the victory has been purchased
Thousands Of brave men have during The las,
week, met death that the Republic might live.
Thousands more have received wounds that will
disable them for life. In thousands Of homes the
cup ofjoy will be mingled with the bitter drop,
Of sorrow that will hardly be comiorted,
and that will turn rejoicing into the saddles,
mourning. Let us remember by whose blood, by
whose sacrifice this deliverance has been bought,
and acknowledge our obligation alike to the noble
and heroic dead and the gallant survivors Of
this hard-fought and brillisntly.won battle.