The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-07-14
CORRESPONDENCE DAILY JOURNAL
PRINCETON, IND, July 9, 1868.

PRINCETON, IND, July 9, 1868.
Editors Of the Eraasrile Journal:
Independence Day vas celebrated
here with the usual amount of rejoicing,
speeches, and powder; but as big
day" it twould &C. compare with yester-
day. y e received the news that VickS-
burg, the Sebastopol of the South, had
fallen, by the morning Journal, no tele-
gram having preceded it. The bells
were rung, and soon half our people
were on the public square. After din
ner fully six hundred people-men, wo-
men, and children-assembled under
the shady trees in the beautiful grove
that environs our courthouse. A plat
form was erected, from which John
McMaster, A c. Donald, S. N. Barton,
D. Stott, and half a dozen others of our
prominent citizens, addressed the peo-
pie Mr. Barton suggested that, as a
large crowd was present, rejoicing over
the brilliant victory achieved by our
brave soldiers, that we should do some
thing for the friends of those who had
fallen from our own immediate vicinity.
A committee was Immediately appoint
ed, and the speaking continued while
they were at work. l have since learned
that about $500 was raised. The first
meeting we held in Gibson County to
raise troops for the war was in the same
week Sumter fell. That night 81 400
was raised to support the families of
those who went into the service. Some
of the men who then went out to battle
will never return Their bones now lie
sleeping far from their kindred and
friends, and the moaning wind, sighing
through the Southern forests, alone sings
their requiem. But their bravery will
ever be remembered, and our people will
see that their wives and little ones they
have left behind, weeping over theiI
memories, shall never want for kind
sympathy or material aid. Let US never
forget these brave men
''Shower ON them our sweetest flowers;
Let tue air ring with their praise"
In the evening the public square wa:
finely illuminated-more than one thou
sand lights were burning rendering i
almost as light as day. Our fine band
paraded the streets drawn s. spirited
horses, giving US "Star-Spangled Ban
ner," "Hail Columbia, ETC. Imme
diately followed similar wagon con
tanning thirty-four school girls, bearing
transparencies with appropriate mot
toes, and enlivening US with "Rall,
Round the Flag, Boysl" and other pat
riotic songs. After this followed festi
val in Devin's Hall. The day and mos
of the night was one continued round O
rejoicing. Business was forgotten. Al
met as friends rejoicing over great vic
tory, that opens the way for an early ant
honorable peace. The backbone of tn
rebellion is broken; but as Swender
borg, when he looked into the othe
world, saw gross spirits that had bee
] wandering about for years and had nc
found out they were dead, so it may tax
us one year to convince the gross spirit
of rebellion that their Southern Confet
eracy has played out. Let the pres
urge vigor in the management of tn
war Let US follow up the victories W
have gained while the armies can b
moved, and before the enemy can +,
cover from the blows he has received
If more men are needed, let them h
called for, and they will come, as we al
now beginning to see the end. Let tn
speakers and press of the party in powe
be tolerant of the views of those anon
us differing with them, and let those T,
us VINO have ideas of policy differei
from the Administration preserve a co
responding spirit of forbearance. l.
us have less strife and party contentic
at home, and we will have more uni
and efficiency in the army.
Let mighty effort now be made
quickly crush this disunion monster.
can be done best by our combined {
forts:
When midst tho wreck of fire and smoke,
, When caunous rend the skies asunder,
And fierce dragons with qHickening stroke
Upon the reeling regiment thunder,
The ranks close up to sharp command,
Till helmets feather touches feather
c Compact, the furious shock they stand,
And conquer, for they STICK T0GETHE