The weekly union record., 1864-07-09

NO man should ever become mlltSry
commander, or follow the business Of war as
profession who does Dot understand the science
or is too tender hearted 10 put bis knowledge
into execution when necessary. When the
slave States determined to divide our empire,
and raised armed and equipped armies, they
meant wsr-tbe slaughter OF the defenders Of
the Union. They have always done their work
10 sober earnest 10 the fullest extent Of their
ability. General Grant is the 6rst commander
of the armies Of the republic, who has shown
the same determined esrnesiness 10 this work
Of war. He has infused bis own spiri; into all
our armies. He has gone to work with terri
ble zeal Like consuming pestllenoe be clings
to Lee, who vainly tries to throw ca this de-
s;royIug sngel. executing the DEGREES OF Justice
upon traitors in arms. Inspired with his aw-
ful mission, Grant sezes bold Of his antagonist
and never relaxes bis terrible grip. Lee falls
back 10 escape such Intimate connection
Grant with redoubled energy Of purpose keeps
up this close, this alarming relation. II Grant
loses immensely, il is no, contrary TO his ex-
pectstions. while be inticts proporiiouaie de
pleiion upon his antagonists He has set out
10 capture or destroy two hundred thousand
men, comprising the rebel armies all the force
the rebels can ever put into the field against
the legions of the republic, and this work he
will inevitably accomplish.
Soon this horrd this unnatural war will be
over. The armies of the republic are certain
10 triumph God has so ordered it. Grant
viii accomplish it. The coming man" is now
iu the field. The army has leader worthy of
its confidence Governmen, patriot de-
serving Of its highest trust.
We bail with JOY the near approach ofpeace
of The peace that will bring with it the tn
umph of freedom; that shall disenthral and for
ever iberate this great nation from the curse
of slavery; of the peace that shall give our
country tha, place among the Governments of
earth, tha, God designed free republic TO
occupy-great in moral power-lberal 10 its
political privileges.
We are told, by the apologists of this re-
belhon, that nation can derive nc glory from
a civil war. This depends entirely upon the
character Of the issues involved and the con-
duet Of the struggle.
1t is dlways becoming to defend with life
and property q noble principle and the fame
of those engaged in lis defence is measured by
the courage and devotion they exhibit 10 the
world. There has been no denial from any
impartial source. that the armies of the Union
have been fighting for the perpetuity of free
institutions. The fathers of our revolution
taught Us, their descendants. in the most SOL
emn language that human lips could utter, to
bold and guard these Institutions as special.
sacred trust; and TO defend the Union, as
son would the honor of his mother. Every
citizen in the free States, especially, was thus
taught from childhood and the impression
thus made is as enduring as Immortality. This
fact explains the cause of that wonderful de-
votion and persistent courage, in defeat or 10
victory, which have distinguished the soldiers
of the Union in all the stages of this momen-
tous struggle. Nor can We discover any moral
difference, in stalking life and fortune in defence
of the sacred trust" whether the conflict has
to be maintained against the invasion OF a for
eign foe, or the bloody insurrection of internal
traitors. In dying for ones country, there is
a Sweetness and moral grandeur whether
the fatal missile OF death is received in repel-
ling the invaders or in suppressing more
dangerous foe, the domestic traitor. Where
lies the difference? The devoted soldiers OF the
Union deserve rmperishable renown. We can
never show sufficient gratitude to our country's
defenders
To the living among them. let it hereafter
be sufficient passport to the highest honers,
that they valiantly fought in ore or more OF
the terrible battles of this war for national
preservation. Let the memory of all the noble
dead, who have fallen in this mortal sanguina-
ry conflict, be perpetuated TO the remotest
ages, by our monuments and historic records
They have filed the measure OF fame Martyrs
to the sacred cause of liberty, they acknowl
edged the right of their country, in its hour Of
need, to devote them to danger and to death
bearing their naked bosoms to the iron storm
Of battle, they offered their lives q willing sac
ri6ce for the salvation of the nation.
And oh. If there be on this earthly sphere,
A boon, an Offering, Heaven holds dear;
'Tis the last libaton Liberty draws
From the heart that bleeds and breaks in her cause
The deep wounds which the Great Rebellion
has inflicted upon our beloved country will be
soon healed. The blessings Of restored Union,
like the showers of heaven, will refresh the lsDd
burnt and wasted by the consuming flames Of
war But what infamy is reserved for the
active agents in this wicked attempt to perpe
trate the greatest crime of the sge-the de-
struction of a great. free nation The rivers
of blood that have been shed the misery, the
unutierable woe and devastation spread over
the land the homes made desoate; the widows
and orphans bereaved of their natural protect
ors all this fearful work. aud more. will be
charged by faithful history, through all coming
time upon the traitors their aiders and abettors.
The fate of the Tories OF the revolution awaits
them.
'.Oh for tongue TO curse the slave
Whose treason, like deadly blight.
Comes 0 'er the councils of the brave.
And blasts them in their hour OF might
May life's unbest cup for him
Be drugged with treachries to the brim-
With hopes that but allure to fly,
With joys thai vanish wnie be sips,
Like Dead Sea fruits that tempt the eye.
But turn 10 ashes on the lips,
His Country's curse, his ehildren's shame,
Onteast of virtue peace, and fame;
May he, at last, with lips of flame.
on the parch'd desert thirsting die,
While lakes. that shOne in mocking nigh,
Are fading of. untouched, untssted,
Like the once glorious hopes he blasted
And. when from earth his spirit flies,
Just Prophet let the damnd one dwell
Full in the sight of Paradise,
Beholding heaven, and feeling he'll y
The great and good of heaven and earth are
looking with breaihless interest upon our con-
duct in closing up the struggle. There must
be no yielding new. The conflict must go on
until the imperilIed principles Of freedom and
justice triumph. There is but one great and