Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-05-11


rallied to sustain favorite theories or dynas-
ties; but the armies he called into being
fought for Liberty, for the Union, and for
the right of self-government and many Of
them felt that the battles they won were for
humanity everywhere, and for all time, for
/ believe that God has not suffered this ter
rible Rebellion to come upon our land mere
ly for q chastisement to us or lesson to
our age. There are moments which involve
in themselves eternities. There are ustants
which seem to contain germs which shall
develop and bloom forever. Such mo.
ment comes in the tide of time to our land
when question must be settled. The
powers Of afliiction, all the earth, the con-
test, vast for human freedom-not for the Re-
public merely not for the Union simply, but to
decide whether tho people, as people, in
their entire majesty were destined to be the
Government, or whether they were to be
subject to tyrants or autocrats, or to class
rule of any kind.
This is the great question for which we
have been fighting, and its decision is at
hand, and the result of the contest will af
feet the ages to come. IF successful, Re-
publics will spread, in spite of mouarchism,
all over this EARTH Excamations of
'Amen!' Thank Godl"l | turn from
the Army to the Navy. What was it when
the war commenced2 Now we have our
ships of war at home aud abroad, to guard
privateers in foreign sympathizing ports as
well as to take care Of every part Of our
own coast. They have taken forts that
military men said could not be taken, and a
brave Admiral, for the first time in the
worlds history lashes himself to the mast,
there to remain as long as he had a particle
of skill or strength to watch over his ship
while il engaged in the psrilous contest Of
taking the strong forts of the enemy.
turn to the Treasury Department -
! Where should the money come from Wise
men predicted ruin, but our National credit
has been maintained, and our currency is
safer to-day than it ever was before. Not
only is this SO, but through our National
bonds if properly used we shall have per-
manent basis fer our currency, and they are
also an investment SO desirable for capital
lists Of other Nations, that under the laws
OF trade, believe, the center OF exchange
will be transferred from England to the
! United States
But ,theI great act of the mighty chief
tain on which his fame shall rest long after
his frame shall molder away is that of Civ
ing freedom to race. We have all been
taught to revere the sacred character of
Moses, of his power and the prominence he
gave to tho moral law, how it lasts, and how
his name towers among the names in Heav-
en-, and how he delivered three millions Of
his kindred out OF bondage, and yet we may
assert that Abraham Lincoln, by his proca-
nation, liberated more enslaved leople than
ever Noses set free, and those not OF his
kindred or OF ns race. Such power or
such an opportunity, God has seldom given
to man. r
When other events shall have been for.
gotten, when this world shall have become
a net work of republics, when every throne
shall be swept from the face of the earth,
when literature shall enlighten all minds,
when tho claims of humanity shall be re-
cognzod everywhere, this act shall still be
conspicuous on the pages Of history; and
we arc thankful that God gave to Abraham
Lincoln the decision, wisdom and grace to
issue that proclamation, which stands high
above all other papers which have been
penned by unipspired men. Applause. l.
Abraham Lacoln was good man. He
was known as an honest, temperate, forgiv-
ing man, just man, man of noble heart
in every way; as to his religious experience
| cannot speak definitely, because | was not
privileged to know much OF his private
Ny acquaintance with him did not give
me the opportunity to hear him speak on
; this topic. know, however, be read the
Bible frequently; loved it for its great truths
and for its profound teachings; and he tried
to be guided by its precepis. He believed
in Christ, the Saviour of Sinners and
think he was sincerely trying to bring hi,
life into the principles Of revealed religion.
Certainly, If there ever was n man who
illustrated some of the principles of pure re-
igion, that man was our departed President.
Look over all his speeches. Listen to hi,
utterances. He never spoke unkindly of any
man; even the Rebels received no words oil
anger from him, and the last day illustrated,
in a remarkable manner, his forgiving dis
position. a dispatch was received that ai.
! ternoon that Thompson and Tucker were
| trying to make their escape through Maine,
and it WAS proposed to arrest them Mr..
Lincoln, however, preferred rather to let
them quietly escape than seeking to have
the very men who had been plotting his
destruction; and this morning we read the
proclamation offering $25 900 for the arrest
Of these men as aiders and abettors of his
assassination. So, that in his expiring acts
ho was saying Father, forgive them; they
know not what they do" Asaruler doubt
il any President has ever shown such trust
fin Cod or in public documents so frequent
ly referred to Divine aid. Often did he re-
mark 70 friends and to delegations, that his
fhopeftor our success rested in his conyic-
tipp that God would bless our efforts be-
caase'we were trying to do right. To the
address of large religious body he replied.
Thanks be unto God, who, in our national
trials, giveth us the churches" To u min
lister who said he hoped the Lord was on
eur side he replied that it gave him no con.
Germ whether the Lord was on our side or
not, for, he added. II know the Lord is al.
ways on the side of the right" and, with
deep feeling, added: "But God is my wit
ness that it is my constant anxiety and
prayer that both myself and this natien
should be on the Lords side." In his do.
mestic life he was exceedingly kind and af-
fectionate. He was devoted husband and
father. During his Presidential term he
lost his second son, Willie To an officer
Of the army he said, not long since: "Do
you even find yourself talking with the
dead?" and added, Since Willie's death
catch myself every day involuntarily talking
with him, as if he were with me" On his
widow, who is unable to be here, | need
only invoke the blessing Of Almighty God
that she may be cemfortod and sustained -