Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1864-01-26

kepublic hopeless for it's own protection
officers. educated, commissioned Az
sworn to defend the Government sgsins
any foe, became deserters, defpd Hesver
10 shameless perjury, and with frafricida
hands drew their swords against the coun
try Of their allegiance, and when treason
had thus completed its preparations. van
ton, wicked war vas forced upon our loya
people.
Never was va, 50 cauceless. The Snrtl
had sough, not sectional triumph, invaded
To rights, inflicted no wrongs upon tb,
South. ltsime1 to preserve the Republic
not to destroy it, aud even when rebellion
presented the sword as the arbiter, VI
exhausted every effort consistent with the
existence Of our Government to avert The
bloody drama Of the last three years
The insoleDt alternative presented by tfea
son OF fatal disme N bermeut or in'ernecius
war, was met by generous efforts to avert
the storm Of death which threatened to
fall bot the leaders Of the rebellion
spurned peace. nnless they could slus their
internal ambition over the ruins Of the
noblest and freest Government ever devils.
ed by man.
Three Years cf bloody. wasting var, ard
the horrid sacrifice Of a quarter Of mill
ion lives attest the desperation of their
purpose to overthrow our liberties. Mourn
lug ard sorrow spread over the entire
nation, and defeat and desola,ion are the
terrible trophies won By the traitors hand
Our people have been sorely tried by
disasters, but in the midst of the deepest
gloon tksy have stood with unfaltering
devotion to the great cause Of our common
country. Relying upon the ul'lmats tri-
umph of the right, they have proved
themselves equal to the stern duty, and
worthy Of their rich inheritanee of freedom.
Their fidelity has been we'll rewarded
In G God's own good time, He ha. asserted
his aveuging power and if this war is
persisted in by the leaders OF the rebellion,
as has become evident, then slavery and
treason, the fountain aud stream Of discnr
and death, must soon share a common
grave.
In this great struggle for our honored
nationality, Pennsylvania has won immor-
tai fame. Despite the teachings OF the
fai,h!ess and the hesitation Of the timid,
she has promptly and generously met
every demand made upon her, whether to
repel invasion or to 6ght the battles of the
Union whenever and wherever her people
we're demanded. Upon every field made
historic aud sacred By the valor Of rur
troops, come of the martial youth Of Penn
sylvania have fallen. There is scarce
h ospitaI that has not been visited by our
kind Offices to the sick and wounded, there
is not department in which brave men
do no, answer with pride to the name OF
our noble State, and while history endures,
loyal hearts will turn with feelings of na-
tional pride to Gettysburg, where the
common deliversnce Of Pennsylvania and
the Union will stand recorded in the uu-
surpassed glory of that bloody field.
| need hardly renew my pledge, that
during the term of Office on which | am
about to enter, l will give my whole
moral and official power to the prosecution
Of this war, and 10 aiding tho National
10 every effort to secure early
and complete success over our malignant
foes.
For the preservation of our national
life, all things should be subordinated.
|. is the first, highest, noblest duty OF the
10 his protection IN person,
and all civil and religious pri'i-
eges, aud for its perps,uity in form and
power, he owes all his efforts, his infu-
,nce, his means, and his life. To COM
promise with treason, would be but to
1--WE i. renewed existence, and enable 1t
,gain to plunge US into another causeless
var.
In the destruction of the military pow
r of the rebellion is alone the hope of
,eace for while armed rebels march over
he soil Of any State, no real freedom can
prevail, aud no governmental authority,
consistent with the genius of our free
Institutions, can properly operate.
The people of every State are entitled
lnder the Constitution to the protection of
he Government, and to give that protec-
ion fully aud fairly, rebellion must be
sarmed and trcdden in the dust. BY
hese means, and these alone. can we
ave enduring union, prosperity and
eacs. As in the past, will in the fu-
nre, in faithful obedience to the oath |
ave taken, spare no means, withhold no
over which can strengthen the Govern.
,ont in this conflict To the measures of
,e citizens chosen to administer the Ma
onal Government adopted to promote our
reat cause, l will give my cordial appro-
Al and earnest corporation. 1t Is the
'u.e of constitutional liberty and law.
Powers which are essential to our COM
on safety should now be wisely and fear
ssly administered, and that Executive ,
ould be faithless, and held guilty before
e world, who should fail to WELD the
ight of the Government for its own
The details Of my views on
9 measures which recommend are con- e
ined iu my recent annual message, and j
ed not here be repeated.
l beg to return to the generous people I,
my native State my hearty thanks for "
cir uufalteriog support and continued B
ufdeuce. They have sustained me amid d
.uy trying hours Of official embarrass- u
mt. Among oil these people to none +,
l l more indebted than to the soldiers of -