Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-06-30

7 and resolution which animate their bosoms
: L answer-No: Never, neaer ! l will no
seem to admit by dwelling upon this though
that consider the final result as at all doubt
ful. In this year Or the next, or in some one
! which will succeed it, this atrccious, thi:
: wicked, this gigantic rebellion will be crushed
amid the ruin, the dismay and confusion O.
: those who inaugurated it. The stars in theil
courses fought against Sisera they will like
wise fight against this unholy, this wholly
unIustihable rebellion.
Soldiers, | will detain you no longer. Am
mistaken when imagine that you are impa
tent to see the end of this days proceedings
grateful as they must be to your feelings
Am ID an error IN supposing that while you
favor me with your attention and listen to my
words, your hearts are elsewhere? Am I
ID error in believing you are very anxious to
reach your homes and see the dear ones there
now impatiently waiting your coming? Go
then to those homes, brave Defenders of your
country, and enjoy your rest under the con-
seriousness of duty well performed. May you
lind those homes the abodes of health, COM
fort, contentment and peace, and may they
long remain so. May you live to let the world
see tetuted in your persons the disparaging
| remark that Republics are ungrateful"
May your eyes soon see these clouds
OF gloom and blood which overshadow our
! country roll away forever, and the sun
OF peace once more shining upon US
May you speedily behold the Union restored
and the just authority of the Federal govern
ment re-estabished in all our States and Ter
rltories where treason has expelled it, May
| you also soon see the credit of the National
Government, now suffering sad eclipse, re-
stored-its faith ever maintained incorrupti-
BILE in all its transactions. May you likewise
| speedily behold all the ruin and desoIation
which the war has made in our country, re-
paired by the activities, the industries, the
spirit of free people. May you see the
| springs and sources of national wealth and
| individual prosperity soon again flowing in
increased volume and strength. May you see
| commerce retrim her trembling sails and
again performing her important mission of
contributing to the wants, while she eivlizes
the nations of the world. May the wonder
tul activity of the pillow, the incessant clink of
the anvil, the constant hum of the spindle,
greet your ear and meet your eye everywhere
IN the land. May you see all our educational,
charitable, and religious institutions again
fourishing and in full operation; multiplying
and extending their appropriate works with
the increase OF their resources and throwing
across this continent and around the world a
constantly widening belt of intellectual, NOR
al and religious light to bless and illumne
the abodes OF men, May you see that
flag which derives new lustre from your
achievements, everywhere respected and
Heating over only race of freemen. And.
finally, may you see spring up and grow, until
1t pervades every place like the atmosphere,
healthy public sentiment, which shall infuse
It's spirit into and dominate over all our poll
cles and systems, permeating our national
and state laws and iurisprudence-a senti-
ment utterly intolerant of legalized y-onq and
oppression to even one of the lowest and weak
est OF mankind-a public sentiment which
will demand for all and secure to all in this
land the imprescriptive rights of nature-the
right to "l!te, liberty, and the pursuit of happi-
ness, and secure those rights to every hui
man being, regardless of the place of his birth
or the color of his skin, BECAUSE he is Nan
and not Chatte
The immortal Second, finally hail and sa-
Lutte you!
"Welcome thy work of glory done;
Welcome from dangers greatly dered''
Mr.. RUBLEE, II ON the Committee on Reso-
lutions, then read the following, which were
unanimously adopted
Resolced, That the warm and heartfelt welcome
which we here extend to-day to the returning vet
Grams of the Second Wisconsin infantry VINO for
three years past have stood, living wall, perilng
their lives in the defense of their country is but
an EXPIRE ssion of the deep and genuine sentiment
of affection, gratitude and admiration which is felt
for tn EN- by the whole people of the State.
Resolved, That no language is adequate to ex-
press profound sense of the weight and value
of the services and the magnitude of the sacrifices
made by the faithful soldiers in national ar
mics. The history of the world can furnish no
brighter examples of feryid patriotism of seadfast
resolution and self-sacrifcing heroism than have
riora
preservation of the Republic and the perpetu aton
of its free institutions by the rank and file of our
patriotic soldiery, No pecuniary considerations
could secure such services. They have sustained
the toll of weary marches, the privations of the
camp, the SLOW and tedious days of sickness and
pain in hospital, and the terrific risks of battle not
for the pittance of their nthly pay but that the
Government, which their fathers founded in wis.,
dom and sealed with their blood, might be main
tanned, indicated and transmitted with all it's
blessings unimpaired to posterity.
Resolved, That in the annals Of this war, abound
ing with the evidences of the courage and patriot
ism of the people OF the loyal North, there is no
chapter more glorious than that which records the
illustrous vaor and distinguished services of the
Iron Brigade in the Army of the Potomac mainly
composed OF Wisconsin men, and of which the cold
Second - constituted an important part; and,
while we welcome these returning veteran with
the honors they have bravely and SO richly
merit, do not forget, but invoke Gods blessing
and protection for their heroic comrades who still
tarry cat the 'front.'" and who, on the perlous
edge of battle, with inveterate purpose, still con-
front the enemies of their country.
| Resolved, That how ample soever in other re-
spects may bc the resources of this great people,
national debt has been already contracted during
| the progress OF TINS war which can never be dis
| charged--the debt of gratitude which owe to
| the heroic defenders of the RepuGGc-to the gal
| liant boys in blue-to whose mistaken fortit ude
patient endurance, and persistent faith which in
the darkest hours have never known what it to
| despair, than to all besides, the country
| owes its preservation from the wicked designs of
treason and rebellion. They deserve and will re-
| ceive the thanks of all good men, the applaudng
smiles of fair women, and the lasting love and
| gratitude Of succeeding generations
| ReSOlUed, That the memory of the brave men
who have fallen in the service of their country in
this great national crisis, is mbamed in the hearts
| of a grateful people and shall never fade.
| ReSoLUed, That all hope of permanent peace or
| the restoration of the Union, until armed resis-
| lance to the authority of the National Govern
| ment has been crushed beneath the tread of our
| victorious armies, is delusive and dangerous, and
that the foremost duty OF the hour is to hurry for
ward rcements TO the tried and faithful gene
rails laundering at the gates of the rebel cap
ital, and forcing with lndomltable resolution, their
| way through the mountain passes of Georgia to
| the vital centre of the rebellion.
After music by the Glee Club, the old and
new colors of the regiment were brought for
ward, when Gen. FAIRcHILD proposed to give
three cheers for them, which were given with
wild enthusiasm.
Nothing occurred to mar the harmony of
the proceedings. The soldiers were well
pleased with their reception, while to all it
was an occasion of unexampled interest. God
grant that the yet gladder and more glorious
day may not be far distant when other Wis
consin regiments shall return, not because
their term of service has expired, but because
| the rebellion has been crushed and perma-