The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-01-21


their fathers or brothers are; some will
tell you they do not know-they left |
their homes to escape the punishment
inflicted upon oil loyal citizens =
Whether they are dead or have made
their escape, they know not One poor
woman, in answer to the question,
pointed to grave near the house,
which she said contained her husband,
who had been hung for no other crime
than that Of being loyal to our Gov
ernment. This, one would think,
would be as far as people protesting
to be civilized and enlightened, dare
carry their acts ofcruelty and Unjust
ice. But even here their tyrannical
and despotic power does not stop
Not satisfied by the injury. inflicted
upon helpless women and innocent
children, they even 60 SO far as to
insult the dead and wounded upon the
battlefield. The sufferings of the I'm
ion prisoners in their hands, is anoth-
er proof Of their cruelty and inhuman-
ity. In view of these facts, it is evil
dent that as long as they maintain a
power, they will use it to the utmost,
The cruelties of barbarous nations,
when we take into consideration the
difference of the two, are inferior to
those now inflicted by our enemy. Re-
taliation is the only method by which
they can be made to feel and know
that we, too, have a power, which,
when called upon for q redress of wrong
heaped upon us, can inhct deep pun
ishment upon them. That our Gov
ernment has been too mild we all ad.
nit; yet the past should be no criter-
ion upon which to base future opera
tions. If the North should arise in
its majesty, and vindicate its rights,
and assert its power, as it is able to do,
this wicked rebellion would be crush.
ed in few months, and the world
convinced that Government found
cd upon pure and holy principles will
stand permanent, though opposed by
its most powerful enemy.
In view of all these plain truths, l
am surprised to see so many Withhold
ing their aid and sympathy from a
Government that is acknowledged to
be the best in existence, and giving it
to one whose power is tyrannical, and
its principles both degrading and
shameful. Men of Ohio, will you thus
shamefully disgrace your State, your
country, and yourselves Pause and
reflect before you go too far. Remom-
ber that Ohio has thousands of brave
boys in the field who are noting your
actions Forbearance with them will
soon cease to be virtue. They have
endured the hardships of soldiers
life for more than two years. Their
bravery in many hard fought battle
is tested by the graves of their fallen
comrades; and when the last battle has
been fought, the rebellion put down,
and they return to their homes, those
who have been marked as traitors will
be called to an account. The way is
yet open for you to redeem what you
have lost, and that is TO hereafter up
hold and sustain the integrity of our
noble Government. Your country
again calls upon you for help. AS an
Army, We now have the advantage Of
our enemies. All that is wanting now
is prompt and energetic action. The
army, whose ranks have been thinned
by disease and battle, whose hcroism,
!, bravery and endurance none dare dis
pute, NOW chll upon you to come and
help strike the last blow at trcason.-
The cry from Richmond's foul dun
geons shouldhrouse every loyal heart,
and nerve the arm for the coming con-
fict. Our friends and brothers now
in rebel dungeons were captured while
: : nobly defending the Government our
fathers gave It's. They now call upon
their friends to rescue them from q
slow and torturing death. Rouse, free
mon To the rescue Let it not be
said by future generations that we al
lowod,our noble brothers to starve and
!, die in rebel prisons, when we had the
. power to release them. We stand
ready to receive you. Throw aside all
:. else, and fill up our thihhed ranks
then, "on to Richmond" will cease tc
be by word, A few more decisive
blows, and the now tottering and trcm
bling fabric of Secession will fall tc
rise no more. It's downfall, and Q
= Just punishment of its treasonabl(
y supporters, will be warning to al
9 future generations. He who in after
years may think of betraying his