Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-07-29
Fer the Delaware Gazette.


NEAR KENEsAw MOUNTAIN, GA. Sd
July Sd, 1864. i
You are aware, dear Gazette, that this is the
anniversary of the glorious battle of Gettys-
burg. One year ago to-day the rebel army
now fighting at the gates of Richmond fierce
ly plunged itself against the Army of the Po-
tomac on Pennsylvania soil. One year ago
to-day that proud rebel host spent its fury
and its strength in one last desperate effort to
sweep over the serried barrier of Union bayo-
nets which alone prevented its unlurling the
embems of treason over Faneuil Hall and
from the pinnaeles of the Monumental City.
One year ago tonight that army began TO
march Seuthward, and has moi since reversed
its direction. o-morrow-Ibe nations birth
day--also brings the first anniversary of that
glorious day when Grants victorious army un-
flrled the standard of the Union from the
frowniDg battlements of Vieksburg. Verify
this should be our national thanksgiving time,
the holy week of the Republic.
True our cause is not yet wholly triumph
ant and the rebellion is not only not crushed
but presents q strong and dangerous 'front.'
The past year has beer marked by reverses as
we'll as crowned with victories, and there yet
remains much to fear as well as hope for
But it is none the less true that the clock OF
the world has moved forward since July 4th,
1868, and the shadow of the dial-plate of civ
ilizatien has since then advanced many de-
grees. Were there no other object in this
war than merely the overcoming of resistance
to law, and the restoration of the supremacy
of the central government, we might have
reason to be discouraged. But it is not 80
much to save cur government that we fight as
to establish the principle that underlies it
We fight to demonstrate the great truth that
men have the right and the ability to frame
and to administer their own government, and
are not born to be the creatures of 40 arbitra-
rv will. We fight to prove that the principles
of Justice, humanity and patriotism are strong
er in the hearts of men than injustice, inhu-
manity and treason. We fight, in short, to
prove that the form of government which
comedies that man is free, that government is
made for him and not he for government, and
that his own mind and heart are the safest re-
positories of justice and law and liberty, is the
correct form. 1t is for this that we expend
our blood and treasure-for this our great ma
tion groans and travails in bloody sweat.
The progress of truth has always been slow
and tedious. We should never be over-sau-
guine of speedy triumph when right is array
ed against wrong. But this should be no
cause for encouragement We should exhib-
it patient irmness and an inAexible deter
mination worthy of the great and glorious
cause committed to our keeping. Kven if it
takes score of years to re-establish this ma
ton free and undivided, let US sternly resolve
to fight on until we achieve that cOnsumma-
ten.
Such, Mr.. Gazette, is my 4tb of July ora
tien. And now the last sentence is hardly
penned until here comes the stirring order to
march. Again the enemy has abandoned his
formidable lines of intrenchments aud We are
to pursue him. therefore respectfully beg
pardon for this abrupt leave-taking, promising
however to renew our interview at the first
opportunity which the exigencies of campaign
ing will afford me.
A II. SECHAND.