The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1864-04-20
spRECH OF HON. J. NJ. ASHLEY.
tCOntiuucd fc,m First paEcl


couutryp AT length amid the ecoutending struggles
Of patriotism, duty and affection, it is settled.
Two brothers make the stern resolve. Quietly and
methodcally they prepare for their uncertain alb
sence. When that's done, they enter their names
as volunteers and await, aud that not long, the or
ders which summon them to the field The day
Of parting comes. AT the railroad station are gath
cred fathers, mothers brothers, sisters, and friends
to bid these and other brave spirits farewell. The
approaching train is crowded with other volunteers,
who reul the air with shouts as they catch
glimpse OF the new recruits-shout which modify,
perhaps but not entirely repreSs the tears and
sohs of those who now about to part, and poSsi
bly, forever. The last shake Of the hand is given,
the lastlSiss imprinted upon manly brows the last
farewell uttered, the train moves swiftly away
and this patriotic family, who have given mp their
sons, turn TO wend their steps to their now less
cheerful Aome. Let us accompany them, aud
strive to realize their condition. listen, as they
gather around the evening altar, to the prayer
which from heart and lip aScends to the God of
nations aud of men-a prayer that the country
may be saved and that the precious lives Of the
beloved ones who have gone to fight Tor 1t may be
spared and they, in due time restored to their fam
lily and home.
One phase in the scene we are contemplating Is
over. Time has healed the pognaucy of the sor.
row which attended the parting, and the household
moves on in accustomed routine. Weeks have
elapsed. A fash along the wires Announces
battle in which the absent ones have participated;
but, alas, 1t is to mcagre to allay their anxiety.
a company on horseback to get fuller details from
the papers. Behold, with what trembling anxiety
the father gances along the column Of killed and
wounded to see if the name Of either Of his sons
is there And when the dread intelligence is found
go now 10 that tbeTcaved family CIRCLE and witness
the more than Roman forttude, with which IL is
accepted, and tell me, in what former period OF hui
man history the world has afforded more exalted
exhibition of valor and patriotism. Sir, these are
common scenes.
Thousands of homes thus bereft, have uttered
no complsint, but have sent forth other sons 10
bleed and die, perhaps or perish by disease, in
some future campaign of this dreadful struggle.
Nor he's the voice of complaint vet reached us from
the battle -tcld--from the hospital, or from the
horrible deus of the Libby or Belle Island, ten
fold worse than either. Our fellow citizens have
only asked that the war might be prosecuted
with vigor, until the rebellion was oiitctually
broken, and triumphant peace was achieved.
At such time, amid such scenes, and in the
presence Of such people, how indetensible, how
criminal, is all personal and partisan strife, Sir,
when witness, as | must, wherever | 60, such
scenes as have so poorly delineated, my heart is
filled with the deepest sympathy and sorrow, and
involuntary ask myself what there is, that can
ever compensate for all this affliction, this endu
rance and this self-sacrfce. There is but II sin
gle answer. Nothing, absolutely nothing, but the
entire regeneration of the Republic, by making
| "Liberiy and Union, one and insoparable." That
the earnest men Of this great nation will accom-
plish this work, have never doubted. To me- it is
the simple logic of the contest. | have believed
from the first that II must come, because have be-
lieved that Providence would bring to naught the
councils of the wicked and the crafty. Indeed /
contemplate the future of this struggle with rap
ture. The clouds which to the eyes of many have
darkened our political horizon for three years,
have all had their silver Innings for me. No hour
has been dark enough to cause me to feel one throb
or to utter one wall Of despair. My hope has been
that justice would at last triumph, and the pro-
gre,s we are making assures me that it will |
advocated from the first the emancipation of all
slaves, because believed ideas were mere forinid-
able than armies, justice more powerful than pre-
jId c., and truth weapon nj yhier than the sword.
Thank God, that as nation and people, after three
years of war and mourning we are beginning to
comprehend duty and to feel in this life strug-
gle for national existence that
The laws of changeless justice bind
Oppressors and oppressed
And close as sin aud suffering joined,
We march to Fate-abreastp
have believed that as nation should grow
stronger and gain victories only we become man
ly and just, and that at last liberty would emerge
triumphant from the conflict changing constitutions,
customs and laws, to meet the requirements Of a
higher and better civilization, and that thus emerg
ing, she would vivify by her magic touch every
desoiate waste, and cause to bloom every spot con-
secrated by the blood of her fallen sons. Anything
short of this would be hollow mockery; with it ac-
compshed,
"Who will mourn that in these dark days
His lot is cast?
Gods hand within the sh aduw lays
The stones whereon His gates of praise
Shall rise at last.
Turn and o'erturn, o. outstretched Hand
Nor stint, nor stay;
The years have never dropped their sand.
On mortal issues vast auI grand,
AS to-day"