Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-02-18

rifice offered to it than the life Of
this pious, patriotic noble youth:
Goals MoUTH,l
Nov. 23d 1862.
M Dear Parents and FrieRds:-
Trusting and hoping that this let
ter may reach you in health and
prosperity, l have to ask for your
indulgence in leaving you so long
without any news from me.
1t is with regret that 1 notice
from the tenor of your letter that
you feel great anxiety on my ac-
count. Let me beg ofyou not to dis
tress yourselves. The same God who
has shielded and protected me
before this war broke out, still
holds his protecting hand over
me. 1t appears that you entertain
the opinion that because 1 have en-
listed in the army as volunteer,
must have forfeited the grace of
God. My opinion is quite the re-
verse.
Having made America my home,
and wishing to enjoy the protection
of its government and its laws, it is
my bounden duty that l should de-
fend that Government whose pro-
lection claim; and 1 believe it to
be the wish of the Lord that whose
ever has it in his power so to do,
should stand up and fight for the
rights of his government and to
crush slavery which yet exists and
which is the origin of this war.
You say that he who draws the
sword by the sword shall he perish?
Now my friends we have an army of
over 1,200,000 volunteer soldiers in
the field, who have rallied around
their standard to defend their rights.
Is it the will of the Lord think you,
that all of these shall perish because
they have drawn the sword in defence
of their country, the most glorious
country God has created?
No my friends the time has
not yet arrived when this great
country shall fall to pieces, or its
Government shall be destroyed
1 know what you will say. You
will say that l am a real Republican
and the name Of Republican being a
stigma with you itfills you with hor-
ror. Were you here in America you
would with admiration behold the
fruits of Republic and its freedom;
yes, then would you change your
opinion.
Is not America the wealthiest
country in the world? and is there not
more real genuine and true religion
in America than there is in
Europe.
Is not there more light in Ameri-
than there is in Europe?
l say America possesses more
wealth because of its free institutions
and liberal Government and is not
burthened and crushed down by taxes
and imports, as is the case with your
tyrranical Kingdoms and Principal
ties in Germany where every poor
man is a slave.
l further contend there exists in
America more genuine and pure re-
ligion than in Germany and even
in all of Europe together Of this 1
am honestly and conscienciously con-
vinced. In Germany the Americans
are looked upon as q reckless aban-
doned people. If my people at home
were half as good as these are,
things would look quite different in
Germany. That there is more light,
more genuine an6 sound judgment
and understanding here is proven by
all the surroundings. Look at the
hundreds Of steamers crowding
every river look at the ramifcation Of
railroads through the width and
breadth Of the whole country, look
at the numberless manufactures
giving work to millions, where the
poor man will always be able to make
a living. Why is all this to be
found in America, far more than in
Europe?
l answer because we have free
Government and its people are not
crushed with unbearable taxes