Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-07-09


mont which could protect them, and in the
use of force against national troops holding
a national fortress. he efface the insult
offered to our flag, to save ourselves from
the late Of the divided republics Of Italy
and South America, TO preserve our Gov
ernmeut from destruction, enforce its Just
power andlaws, to maintain our very exis-
tonce as naton-these were the causes
which impeled US to draw the sword.
Rebellion against Government like ours,
which contains within itself the means Of
self adjustment and a pacific remedy. for
evils, should never be confounded with
revolution against despotic power, which
refuses redress OF wrongs Such a rebel-
ion cannot be justified upon ethical ground,
and the only alternatives for our choice
are its suppression or the destruction Of
our nationality.
CONCLUSION.
At such q time as this, and in such a
struggle, political partisanship should be
merged in true and brave patriotism,
which thinks only Of the good oltho whole
country. 1t was in this cause and with
these motives that SO many of Oh comrades
have given their lives,and to this we are all
personally pledged in all honor and fidelity.
Shall such devotion as that of our dead
comrades be of no avail Shall il be said
in after ages that we lacked the vigor to
complete the work thus begunl That after
all these noble lives freely given, we hesi.
tated and failed to keep straight on until
our land was saved Forbid it Heaven,
and give us frmer,. truer hearts than
that.
Oh spirits of the valiant dead, souls Of
our slain heroes, lend US your own ndomi.
table will, and if it be permitted you to
commune with those still chained by the
rsmmels of mortality, hover around US in
the midst of danger and tribulation-cheer
the firm, strengthen the weak, that none
may doubt the salvation of the Republic
and the triumph of our grand old flag
In the midst Of the storms which toss
our ship of state, there is one great beacon
light to which we can ever turn with con-
fdence and hope. 1t cannot be that this
great nation has played its part in history /;
ii cannot be :hnt our sun, which arose with
such bright promise for the future has al.
ready set forever. 1t must be the intention
of the overrulipg Deity that this land, SO
long the asylum OF the oppressed, the ref
uge Of civil and religious liberty shall again
stand forth in bright relief united, purif-
ed, and chastened by our trials, as an ex-
ample and encouragement for those who
desire the progress of the human race. 1t
is not given to our weak intellects to un-
ders.and the steps of Providence as they
occur I'VE comprehend them only as we
look back upon them in the far distant
past so it is now We cannot unravel
the seemingly tangled skein of the purpos.
es of the Creator--they are too high and
farreachipg FOR our limite' minds. But all
history and His own revealed word teach
us that His ways, although inscrutable. are
ever righteous. Let US, then, honestly and
mauiully play our parts, seek to under
stand and perform our whole duty, and
trust urwaveringy in the benefcient God
who led our ancestors across the sea, and
sustained them alterward amid danger more
appalling even than those encountered by
His own chosen people in their great ex-
odus.
He did not bring US here in vain, nor
has He supported us thus far for naugbt.
If we do our duty and trust in Him, He
will not desert US in our need. Firm in
our faith that God will save our country,
we now dedicate this site to the memory of
brave men, to loyalty, patriotism, and
honor. Loud applause.
The band then performed The & Star
Spangled Banner" and yankee Doodle"
after which the benediction was pronounced
by Rev. DR. Sprole.