The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-05-12
The Dawn Of Peace

ton. The terms granted TO the troops of
Lee and Johnston, will, doubtless, be ac-
cepted by the remainder of the rebel forces,
and thus, through the concilatory means
which we have so long contended for, peace
will be restored and the authority of the
Constitution and the laws re-establishe5
throughout the length and breadth of the
Land. We believe now, az we have always
believed, that the war might have been O.
Welded, had the Congress Of 1861 submit
ted the Crittenden Compromise to the pee
pie, or taken some other proper action to
quiet the intense alarm in the South, of
which the secession leaders were permitted
TO take advantage. Had this been done,
what misery, what untold agony, might
have been averted from the heads of the
American people. Two millions of lives lost
IN this fraternal conflict; hundreds of -four
ishing cities and beautiful villages, laid
waste, or destroyed; a country constituting,
physically, an empire within itself, deyas-
tated and impoverished; nay, what IS far
worse than loss of property, or life, the civil
conyulsion which has left chasm between
the Northern and Southern people that only
years Of intercourse and mutual forbearance
can span; these things would not now be
stain upon our history, had that infamous
Congress done its duty. Again, we believe
now, as ne have always believed, that af-
tel hostilities had commenced, it was still
possible to restore the Union by peaceful
means, and that the war might have been
ended long ago, upon the same terms TO the
rebels which they are now granted, had not
the negro question been permitted to stand
IN the way and had the commanders of for
mer expeditions against Richmond been
sustained by the Administration as it sus-
tanned Gen. Grant. Imbufd with these
convictions, we have always regarded with
feelings OF sympathy, the soldiers Of our
armies, who whether languighing in prison,
or fighting in the front, were compelled to
bear the burden of this awful war. Some
of them, near and dear to us, sleep in ever
lasting slumber beneath the sands of the
Southern coast, victims, as we believe, 10
an unnecessary prolongation Of the war.
Others, friends long cherished, have disap-
peared, leaving no trace Of their doubtful
fate. But, God be thanked, some whom
we,loYe and honor, are spared to US, and
soon will return to the homes that are dea-
.olate without them.
Thank God, the sky is clearing:
The clouds are hurrying past,
Thank God, the day is nearing,
The dawn Is coming fast.
And when glad herald voices,
Shall tell US peace has come,
This Thought shall most rejoice us
"Oar boys are coming home."
Soon shall the voice of singing
Drown wars tremendous din!
Soon shall the joy-beils ringing
Bring peace and freedom in,
The jubilee bonfres burning,
Shall soon light up the dome,
And soon to soothe our yearrng,
Our boys are coming home.
The vacant freside places
Have waited for them long,
The love-light lacks their faces,
The chorus waits their soGgj
A shadowy fear has haunted
The long deserted room,
But now our prayers are granted,
Our boys arc coming home
o mother calmly waiting
For that beloved sonl
o sister, proudly dating
The victories he has won
o maiden, softly humming
The love song while you roam
Joy, JOY, the boys are coming
Our boys are coming home!
And yet-oh, keenest sorrow
They're coming, but not ALL
Full many dark tomorrow
Shall wear its sable pail
For thousands who are sleeping
Beneath the empurpled loami
Wee! woe! for those we're weeping,
Who never will come home
o sad heart hush thy grieving;
Wait bat a little while!
With hoping and believing
Thy woe and fear beguile,
Wait for the Joyous meeting
beyonG the starry dome,
For there our boys are waiting
BE bid us welcome home,