American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-06-08

patriotic devotion the grandeur Of his
namesakes wishes.
There is nothing to be foundin the his
tory of the past SO dark and bloody, moth.
ing 50 atrocious in crime, as the rebellion;
and nothing so grandly sublime as the
unceasing struggles of this people to pre-
serve aud perpetuate their Government.
No heroism like that of our gallant men
in the field? Death is met, as if in such
a cause, it were welcome; pain aud suffer-
ing is borne with calm fortitude beyond
all conception; and the decimated ranks
of our armies are filed, as required, with
an ardor and devotion which seems un-
ceasing and the benevolence Of our peo-
pie, without the cOmpulsion OF arbitrary
power. or directions Of passionate infu-
ence, enlarges with the wants Of the hour;
and they pour into the uninterrupted
stream Of their liberality, endless offer
ings Of patriotism and love (Applause.)
Oh. how suggestive the thought that
the mother whose son has perished for the
Constitution that wife may now hear
me, whose husband is numbered with the
mighty dead and that fathers and broth
ers and sisters, now stand around me- who
have lost their nearest and dearest in this
cause; and yet they continue proud ex-
enplars Of the patriotism Of the day. and
are here to find aleyiation from theirtrou-
bles in these works Of benevolence. Aye,
men and women, rich and poor, are allen
gagged in this great work, and will be ad-
mired for it while charity has a yotary, OF
religion a teacher or afollower. The har-
DIV soldier. while he PAGES the lonely and
cheegless picket. or fingers on the field
wounded and bleeding, cheers his sad
heart with the reflection that those who
are at home are preparing, constantly pre-
pairing. the means which are to provide
for him. whether sick or wounded; and
chat. diving. those near and dear TO him
are TO be kindly and literally cared for,
This OUGHT not. therefore. to be left to
individual effort. but. working in admira-
bic system. the Sanitary Commission and
its kindred co-worker the Christian Com
mission. are eudeavorinq to make all these
efEorfs of tba HIGHEST nracfical effect
In.aIl This there is a hirh phllosophv
These free offerings of men and wealth.
these sacrifices of health. ease. and domes-
tie comfort-iu word. Of life itself vol
UNFAIRLY made. without stint or drawback
this General Annexation of individual
sentiment, upon uoints which. at other
times. and under different circumstances.
have kent men apart in the warfare Of
opiniop-this Joining of hands bv those
who had hitherto been divided upon ques-
tiops Of local ipterestor qoyernnIentaipo pol-
icy-allshoW tbatwe U,usfsucceed: Tcheer,
and arplause.7 They demonstrate that
having been imbued with the spirit Of Four
institutions. and grown wise. strong and
faithful we are willing. able. and deter
mined. totransmit them to coming genera
tions. at whatever present cost. and surely
never was work done for nobler object.
The soldier Of the Republic! The true
nob,emep of the State The flower of
the land who braves long marches. ter
rife encounters. the storms of cold and
winter. the pestilential miasmas Of the
Southern climate For him we labor ;
for his victories we send up our thanks
giving: and we pray the Lord of battles
that he may be saved from disaster. 'Tis
for the army we work-we applaud its he
roes. we mourn for its dead. and deeply
sympathize with the sufferings OF those
who are wounded. or consigned to the
nightful affection Of southern prison.
And we rest not here for in every com
munitv that has contributed its youth and
manhood. in every home that has parted
with one Of its treasures. there, are busy
hands ut work. The hearts that throb
with anxiety. are ministering to their
wants. and endeayoring to alleviate their
sufferngs.
We trace the eourseo of these volunteers
throughout the war. We see them as
they come from their homes from the
borders Of the lakes from the ocean
bounded States; from the valleys of the
West: from the mountains and tbe fields
of agriculture in the Middle States ; req
iment after regiment they move onward.
mirbty host. with its representatives
from every CITY and town. and hamlet in
the loyal communities of the land. We
f. How this army in its campaigns from
first to last, and when the sods OF the val
lev are mouldering over the gallant slain.
! a grateful people will. | trust. forever