Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-04-28
The End.

patriots and heroes, energies from thu
night Of baleful war into the sunlight o
peace, purer, stronger, freer, nobler thar
ever. A country reunited, country
FOREVER FREE, is restored to US. Thank
God.
Upon the loyal people of this Union
devolved the mighty task of preserving
not only for themselves and their pos
terity, but for all the peoples of the
whole world, the priceless blessings oil
free, republican government. A failure
on our part would have riveted the
chains of the oppressed, would have Sc
cured the thrones of the despotic, the
world over, for indefinite years to come.
Nobly, obviously have our brave armies
and our patriotic people discharged The
great work. They have set up light
which shall send its rays to the utter
most parts Of the earth. The people Of
all nations shall sec it, shall rejoice AT
it, shall kindle similar lights for them
selves, until the world shall be bathed in
the brightness OF free government, free
schools, free press, free church for
all,-popular liberty everywhere. For
four years the loyal American people
have struggled against powerful foe,
against opposition at home and the
cnmity of monarchies abroad, against
Encouragement and doubt and defeat,
and behold now the day of their triumph
and great reward ! 1t was the greatest
stake ever fought for and it is won
Now let the people rejoice, and thank
God. The oppressed Of all climes will
give them thanks and honor; genera
lions yet unborn will rise up and call
them blessed.
The glorious old Army of the Poto-
mac has finished its gigantic work. For
long years it has heroically toiled and
fought against the flower, the strength,
the bulwark of treason. II has won the
victory. We would not depreciate by an
iota the great, important and brilliant
services rendered by the other armies of
ta TIatAa a., H. III
the great event of the day. Bot we re-
joice that it was that grand old Potomac
Army that has fought the unequaled bat
ties and made the unequaled marches
which first decapitated, and then destroy
ed the remains OF, Rebellion. The rev>
erence and honor of the people, in the
fitting language of Secretary Stanton,
will be rendered to 1t. General Grant
and to the brave and gallant officers and
soldiers of his army for all time.
The victory has come in Gods own
time, and we may be sure it is the best
time. His mills grind slow, but they
grind exceeding fine. Great success on
our part in the first or second year Of the
war would have left the great curse Of
this country, the one disturbing element,
the one great antagonist of republican
institutions, the begetting "sum
of all villanies Y--compara-
lively intact. Compromise then would
have left the viper still coied about the
heart of the Union, ready again to strike
at its life. Much as we strove for earlier
success, deeply respondent as we were at
repeated failures, we can now look back
and thank God that He in His all.wise
providence overruled the wishes of His
people to their good. With the destruc-
ton of the rebellion is the destruction OF
its cause, wrought out in Gods good
time. The Union, freed from its incubus,
purified of its guilt, rendered homogene-
Gus in its institutions and interests, secur-
ed against future treasons, is to enter ups
on new stage Of development, new
career of progress and prosperity, and is
to commence new era in the history of
the world
The cost Of this has been great, but 0,
how great the compensation, how inec-
fably great the reward to US, TO our pos
terily, TO the whole world.
Let the people rejoice and give thanks.
Never will they see another SO grand oc-
casion. The event is one, the like of
which occurs twice in the life.tim of no
nan. 1t an event the like of which oc,
ours once in the lifetime OF comparatively
lew. 1t is an event of ages. Let the
people who are permitted to see this day,
then, rejoice as they expect never to re-
joice again.
Rejoice and give thanks TO God. The
glorious American Union is saved. and
peace has come.
Our fathers God, TO thee,
Author of Liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With Freedon,,s holy I;obt.