The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-02-17
ton from Philadelphia to this place, it has at
LENGTH ARRIVED and the rasult Ia before VOL


ed and will be controlled by no motive of per-
sonal aggrandizement it's editor and all the prin-
ters engaged in its publication being, like those
in whose interest it has been established, volun-
teers in the service of the country and it will be
our highest aim to render it a pleasant and in
structive companion to those who have left home
and freside to exchange them for the vicissitudes
and dangers of military life The soldiers and
citizens in patronizing the paper will contribute
toward one of the most commendable enterprises
that has ever enlisted the sympathy received
the support of the patriot or humanitarian. 1t is
intended that of the monies arising from the sale
| of The SOLDIERS JOURNAL there be created
fund for the relief of those children the lives of
whose fathers have been or may yet be sacrific-
ed in the sacred cause of liberty and the Union,
during the present war. Could there be nobler
object for the cooperation of the soldier and the
philanthropist? We think not.
That we shall have occasion to refer from time
to time to the conduct of the war; and the general
interests of those upon whom the nation depends
in this hour of trial and danger for defence and
preservation, it is but fair to presume. Of the
war we will say this much at present, "and by
this shall we know us. 1t is our conviction and
| it shall be endeavor to establish, that the
| Southern people, who have always enjoyed the
| lions share of the benefits of this government
have been guilty of the highest crime that can be
committed against any nation, and as it is an
eternal decree that sin go unpublished,
they deserve and must receive that retribution
which their causeless rebellion and treason shall
bring upon them. When men talk of comprom-
Uses and peace commissioners, they treat upon
| subject which neither the dignity of the nation
or the cause of common humanity can recognize.
| Let our peace commissioners be Gillmore's par
rot shells, charged with Greek, American, or any
other kind of fire; and while they convey to the
rebels "declaration of our Intentions their
shrek of transit will convince the arch-traitors
of Charleston and the entire would-be Confeder-
acy that the ire of Uncle Sam, once excited, will
not be soothed short of unconditional submits
| sion. AS for compromise, it is vapor, which if
| adopted would vanish the first time the winds
of popular dissension would assail it. The COM
promise which the future safety and peace of this
nation demands can only be written with Union
bayonets dipped in the blood of the traitors who
seek it's overthrow. This conclusion has been
arrived at after candid consideration of the
causes which have produced the present war,
and we can say with confidence based upon al
most two years constant intercourse with the
troops of the army of the Potomac, that the SOL
dier's unwilling that any other should be
adopted. Let the war go forward, and the rebels
retreat, but the government-never.
The publication of the reports of the United
States Sanitary Commission in the different de-
partments of the army, will constitute promi-
nent feature of our paper. By these reports the
soldier will see what efforts are being made for
his comfort, and they will be equally interesting
to the citizens who contribute of their substance
toward this most laudable of all Objects in that
| tIot will tI,o;r