Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-07-08
FELLOW CITIZENS -

FELLOW CITIZENS -
We celebrate once more the ami !
Of Independence at the end Of a
great domestic war in which we have been
engaged for four years, and when VIC have
reason to congratulate ourselves upon the
changed condition Of our public affars.-
Peace is restored to US with its innumer-
able blessings, and the Union which was
broken by revolt is substantially re estab
lished. Not in vain have our cit zen sol
diers undergone labor and suffering 10 the
public service during these weary years
Of contest; foi the object for which their
services were enlisted has been fully Sc.
cured. Il is true that the casualties of
war have Trimmed their number they do
not all return 10 their homes aud friends
many among them have fallen victims to
battle and disease, and their places in the
home circle will remain vacant forever.
Nevertheless, those who have died as well
as those who survive, did not serve in
vain. 1t was by the common forts Of
all, under intelligent military direction,
that the result wa, achieved and those
who survive will always stand prepared to
assign due share Of honor to those who
have fallen.
What is now to be desired and sought
for by our people, is, the complete enjoy
ment by them of the proper fruits of vic.
tory: And these are not tho qualification
of revenge and the exhibition OF boasful
pride, but the re. establishment Of just and
peaceful rule throughout the land, and
the restoration of amioable relations and
commercial Intercourse between the popu-
lations which have been hostile 10 each
other The days of contest have passed,
we may hope never more to return, end
the arts of civil government and the cx-
ercisc of the social and civil virtues have
a complete and proper field opened for
their exhibition. He is All enemy of his
country who now seeks to proong the
days oil violence, or to create or continue
questions of sectional difference and dis
.putc
What were our reasons for engaging in
the war, or, in other words what were our
reasons for refusing to agree that the
Southern States should secede from the
Uuon aud establish Government for
thcnselvesl A brief review of these will
be instructive aud is necessary to enable
US to determine our proper policy at the
close of the war.
We found ourselves unable 40 concadc
Southern Independence, because it was
impossible 10 fix or c1uceive satisfactory
boundaries between the two Republic,
which it was proposed to establish from
the former one. Neither Mountains nor
Rivers presented themselves as natural
barriers between the Northern and South
ern sections, and great rivers, particularly
in the Mississippi valley, arising in Que
section had their outlets located in the
other. 1t was quito obvious that in this
case two powers with common boundary
would not be able to maintain peace with
each other that thousand causes of
quarrel would speedily arise, and that
both would bo greatly exhausted and in
jured in attempts TO solve them by
force. Besides, they would bo rivals in
commerce, and through their respective
regulations would inf'et evil uEon each
other. 1t was also foresaen or feared +,
and with good reason, that the natural
geaousies of the two overs and the dan
ger oil collis between them, would in
duce both to keep large armies on footex
haussiDg to their resources aud fatal to
their liberties. The Governments OF each
would assume military or imperial form
and the experiment of free government, be-
gun by our ancestors, come to a speedy
and inglorious conclusion, Besides, it
was obvious, that if this division were
agreed to the time might not be distant
when other divisions would be demanded
and obtained upon similar grounds, and
thus the Union be dissolved into many
fragments. Nor was the fact overlooked
that in case of war between the United
States and foreign power, neighboring
aud rival power like the Confederate
States might give the enemy admission to
the heart of the country thereby enabling
it to chastiso aud subdue US. High con-
slderatlons Of policy aaI Of interest there.
fore stood opposed to the concession OF
Southern epeudence, and it was stead
lily refused by Us, and the war entered up
on to prevent its accomplishment. That
war grew into gigantic proportions, but
under an abiding consciousness of,he dan.
gers and evils OF disunion it was prosecut-
ed by lis in spite of difficulties discourage
monts and frequent failures, to q trium-
phant conclusion. In history it will be
justly described as war for union upon
our part, begun and wagcd under the mort
solemn conviction OF its necessity and JUS
tice. And this will bo our justification in
all future time for the part we have acted
in this great emergency of our national
affairs.
Having by success in the war avoided
the dangers which threatened us from dis
union, the question Of onr policy for the
future in our inter state relations presents
itself for consideration, and it is one oflhe
highest moment. propose to state the
answer which has been given thus far, to
this great question by our military and
civil authorities, and to submit some con.
slderations in support oi their policy so far
as II has been announced
The agreement of capitulaton negotin.
ed between General Graut and General