The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-07-19

bta county, Pa, rPon The Fourth Of July
1865.
Fellow CITIZENS: We celebrate once
more the anniversary of Independence al
the end of a great domestic war in which
we have been engaged for four years, and
when we have reason to congratulate our
( selves upon the changed condition oi our
! public affairs. Peace is restored TO US with
| lnnumerable blessings, and the Union which
was broken by revolt is substantially re es-
lablished Not in vain have our citizen SOL
| diers undergone labor and suffering in the
public service during these weary years of
contests for the object for which their SER
vices were enlisted has been fully secured
II is true that the casualties of war have
thinned their number; they do moi all re-
tura 10 their homes and friends many
among them have fallen victims to battle
| and disease, and their places in the home,
circle will remain vacant forever Never
| theless, those who have died, as well as
those who survice, did moi serve in vain. 1t
was by the common efforts OF all, under
intelligent military direction, THAT The result
was achieved and those who survive will
always stand prepared to assign a due share
of honor tn those who have fallen.
What is now 10 be desired and sought for
by our People,:is, the complete enjoyment
by them OF The proper fruits of victory
And these are rot the qualification of re-
venge and the exhibition OF boastful pride,
bui The re-esiablishmenl of just and peace
fuI rule throughout the land, and The reslor-
alton OF amcable relations and commercial
intercourse between the populations which
have been hostile 10 each other. The days
Of contest have passed, We may hope never
more TO re urn, and the arts OF civil govern
ment aud The exercise of the social and
civil virtues have a complete and proper
field opened for their exhibition. He is an
enemy of his country who now seeks TO
prolong the days of violence, or 10 create or
continue questions o. sectional difference
and dispute.
What were our reasons for engaging in
the war, or, in other words, what we're our
reasons Tor refusing 10 agree that the South
ern Stales should secede from the Union
and establish Government for hem.elves
A briet review OF these will be instructive
and is necessary TO enable US 10 determine
our proper policy al ihe..close OF the war.
We found ourselves unable 10 concede
Southern Independence, because il was i'm
possible 10 fix or conceive satisfactory boun-
darles between the Two Republics which il
was proposed TO establish from The former
one. Neither mountains nor rivers present.
the Northern and Southern sections, and
great rivers. particularly in the Mississippi
valley, arising in one section had their out
lets located in the oiher. Ii was qniie OBJ
vious that in this case two powers with a
common boundary would not be able TO
maintain peace with each other; that a
thousand causes of quarrel woul1 speedily
arise, and that both would be greatly ex-
haused aud injured in attempts to solve
them by force. Besides, they would be RI
walls in commerce., and through their re
specive regulations would inflici evil upon
each o'her. II was also foreseen or feared,
and with good reason, that the natural jeal
ousies of the two powers and the dauger OF
collision between them, would induce boh
TO keep large armies on foot exhausling TO
their resources and fatal 10 their Liberties.
The Governments of each would assume a
military or imperial form and The experi-
menl of free government, begun by our an
cestors, come TO a speedy and ingloriols
conclusion. Besides, il was obvious, that
if this division were agreed 10, the time
might not be distant when other divisions
liar grounds, and thus the Union be dis
solved into many fragments. Nor was the
fact overlooked that in case of war between
the United States and a foreign power,
neighboring and rival power like the
Confederate States might give lhe enemy
admission TO The heart OF the coUntry there
by enabling it 10 chastise and subdue Us.
High considerations OF policy and OF interest
therefore stood opposed 10 The concession OF
Southern Independence, and il was steadily
refused BY US, and The war entered upon, 10
prevent lis 2Iishment. That war
grew into gigantic proportions, but under
an abiding consciousness Of the dangers and
evils of disuniou it was prosecuted by Us in
spite OF difficulties. discourag emenls and
frequent failures, 10 triumphant conclu-
sion. 10 history it will be justly described
as war for Union on our patl, begun and
waged under the most solemn conviction
of its necessity and justice. And this will
be our Justification in all future time for
The part we have acted in this great emer-
gency OF our national affairs.
Having by success in The war avoided the
dangers which threatened ne from disunion,