Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-07-20
Mr.. TH3s. S. J
ADDRESS.


FELLOW CITIZENS, &c-The great day OF
our National festiyity, hGs again returned,
and once more we have the happy opp0rtu-
nity of showing our attachment to the gov
ernment Of our fathers by a celebration OF
the 4th of July, under the protection of the
old flag. That flag which has been the en-
bIem of our country's pride, for many long
years-that flag which amid the din and rear
of battle was borne proudly over the gallant
armies of the revolution while the Immor-
talized. time honored Washington, led the
heroes of freedom and independence, on to
| glorious victory. We love to honor the IL
iustrious departed-those whose names are
ever bright upon the history Of our country, 5
! fame-thOss whose deeds Of greatness made
| lis a nation.
Whatever may be the views and opinions
! of Others as regards the imprOpriety Of the
observance Of this day by US as people and
! a nation, we do not believe they are found
ed upon argument From the days of the
early patriarchs, we have accounts of feast
ing and Joy And at the present day near
| ly, if not all the nations OF the civilized
world. have their days of mirth and rejoicing
And shall America, the star nation OF the
world alone remain silent and not show one
token of gratitude for the numberlesS bles-
sings which have been iavlshed upon her? !?
Not at all 'Tis not consistent with reason.
Although that old ship of State, launched
by the Eeroes of I776- and which Is manned
to-day by their brave descendants, has been
contending with the rough pillows of rebel
lion against the properly constituted author
tiles Of the land, yet of her safely Outridipg
the storm there is hope. " hile we beh old
that noble craft in the hour OF peril, as the
waves OF opposition beat nightly against
her, and fears are entertained of her safety,
how quickly are we cheered by the sight Of
that beacon-light of liberty which floats
proudly from her masthead, and which trail
tors have not the power to destroy. L here
is no day which we welcome, as a Nation,
with as much enthusiasm as the day of our
country birth from the despotic power of
tyranny 10 the free government of the peo-
pie. And while We attempt to celebrate
this day there are those that claim our at
tention: and not least among them are the
heroes Of the present day.
One year ago to-day with a darkened sky
and the rain descending in torrents dawned
the morning of the 4th OF july But what
different aspects did that day present-what
different scenes transpired during the short
revolutions Of that day upon american soil?
While we hailed it as day Of rejoicing and
jubilee, others who once appreciated the
privilege Of celebrating it in a similar man
nor, had the high privilege of spending the
day IN the gloomy cells of Richmond pris-
on-maHy suffering from wounds, disease,
and starvation Others wounded bleeding
and dying might have been found in the
streets, hospitals, or upon the bloody con-
tested battlc-f field of Gettysburg. But why
all this gloom and sadness on a day OF such
celebrity day of such high renown-a
day which has Tor almost a century been
memorialized as the birthday of nation to
which we are proud to assert cur attachment?
All well may we make the Interrogation
1t was because our National defenders
brave, patriotic, llberty-loving sOldlers-had
encountered a vindlctlve foe (who was at
tempting to invade our Commonwealth
upon the field of carnage; and while the
roar of artillery made the hills of Pennsyl-
vania tremble and her soil was being stained
with the blood of patriots and traitors they
faced that foe bravely on that ever memora-
bic spot, put to flight the enemies of right
and universal freedom, and were the cause
OF the glad news being heralded back to us,
that the old Keystone State-ths State we
l0ye--WaS again free from the armed min
ions of hell-begotten rebellion.
The year which has just pasSed-comple
ting another year of our Independence-ha
been fraught with interest to the American
people. Nicksburg and Port Hudson have
been added to the list of neyer-tO-b be-forgot-
ten victories The bloody, but indecisive
battles OF Charlottesville and Chickamauga
have been fought. Burnside has been vic
torious in East TenDessee-Steele and Blunt
in Arkansas-and Banks in Louisiana and
Texas-while the brave, courageous Grant,
is pressing the army of the Potomac in the |
very face of Richmond, and the fall of that
city appears to be a mere question of time.
Our National credit has been nobly sustain |
ed. and our financial prosperity was never |
in a better condition. To the yalor OF the
common soldier we largely owe, under God,
these great successes But many of those
soldiers will never return to us. They were
od-hearted, brave and kind. Afew letters,
a photograph, and thousand sacredly cher
ished recolections, is all that is left to their |
friends Day after day we are receiving the |
sad communications that some one-who has