American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-02-24

flag and Government of their country IN
the hour of its severest trials. The indi-
cations are that there will be no need of a
draft in several States. What a noble
history we will have when this war is
over. and the truthful historian shall re-
cord the brilliant achievements of our
volunteer soldiers, as we'll on the fields of
battle, as the patient endurance of the
privations, hardships and exposures Of the
march and the camp. Soldiers, when
you rejon your regiments and companies
in arms, bear with you that the hearts of
a grateful people beat in unison with
yours, and will ever cheer and support you
in all your trials We have reason to be-
live that the fiery ordeal through which
we have passed and are still passing, is
the terrible road marked out by a greater
than mans wisdom that is to lead us safe
| ly through all our troubles to National
prosperity and universal liberty, and unite
US as people in principles of more even
justice and enlightened benevolence.
| have said we believe this rebellion
will be subdued before the close of anoth-
er summer. Can it be otherwise A
country reduced to waste aud threatened
famine, with an unwilling army, poorly
provided for, railroads worn out, and all
industrial pursuits paralized, the submits
sive spirit pervading the masses of their
population, their money or scrip valueless,
and their credit bankrupt at home and
abroad their flag recognized and honored
by no nation on Earth, with numerous
desertions and thousands willingly accept
ing the Amnesty proclamation, utter hope
less ruin staring them in the face every
where, such is but faint picture of the
condition of the States in rebellion.
On the other hand we have a discip-
lined army, great in all the elements of
strength, and we'll supported by millions
of patriotic and devoted people who pos
sess power in military resources and
general prosperity even greater than when
the rebels first fired upon our flag at Fort
Sumter, and willing now as then to de-
fend the National honor and unity. With
such an Army, and an unsurpassed iron
clad Navy, battling for the right and
gradually, but surely, narrowing the cir
Gle of its foes, no one can doubt our sue
cess. And may add too, that since this
rebellion commenced, we have not bor-'
rowed a dollar outside the limits of the
United States, and that all our loans are
the voluntary offerings of our own peo-
pie. Confidence in the stability of our
Government never for moment shook
the nerves even of the most timid The
monied men of the country have tested
their faith by their works. Our Diplo-
matte correspondence too shows that all
the great powers of Europe, Russia, Eng
land, France, Austria, Prussia &c, have
no doubt of the power. of the United
States to put down the rebellion, and re-
store undivided nationality to the extent
of our entire boundary. Immense com
mcrce to and from our ports, and incrcas-
ed emmigratien to our shores, cyincc faith
in the stability of our government.
In early spring we will have in the field
the best Army ever marshalled under the
banners of any nation, and concentrated
no rebel power can successfully resist its
advancing columns. Who then can doubt
that with such an army and an unsurpass-
ed Iron clad navy, reliant'upon a mighty
power that directs, shapes, and controls
the destnies of men and nations, that be-
fore the close of another summer we will
have conquered peace, and such peace,
with such benifcent results in the insti-
tutions of our country, as will be rcrma-
nent, and alike honorable to the living
and the dead
But have said more than | intended.
| rose merely to introduce to the meeting
one who has been in the service since
April, 1861, and is now the senior Chap
lain in the Army of the Potomac, and has
shared with many of you the privations
and perils of the camp, the march, and
may say, the battle field one who has been
faithful and true, ever present where duty
Alled to solace the sick and wounded,
and speak the words of kindness and
comfort to all Ineed scarcely say that
refer to the Rev. A. NJ. Stewart, Chap
lain of the 1924 Reg't, (old l3th) Pa.
Vols, who will now address you in behalf
of the great moral interests connected
with our Armies 4 subject that COM
mends itself to the deliberate considera-
ton of ALL
Mr. Stewart rose, audwas warmly greet
ed, and especially BY the veterans of the
l02d Regt., and made most able, inter
estiug and effective speech of about one
and half hour, and commanded the
most profound attention of the large au-
dience, We hope to be able soon to lay
his remarks before our readers, and we
know all willtake pleasure in reading them.
There is calm, firm, earnestness in his
manner, and beauty of expression, and
a power of facts aud argument which will
always command the attention of an ap-
preciative audience.
After the conclusion of the address. the
following persons were appointed a COM
mittee to collect contribution of those in
the meeting, to be placed at the disposal
of the Christian Commission. James
Campbell, ]. n. Purviance, G.. C. Roes-