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

he of Good Cheer.
The nation is rapidly recovering from tn,
shock of events the most terrible in its his
tory. The appalling nature of the calamity
which has befallen us is deeply and solemn
ly comprehended but the same wonderful
elasticity which has sustained us under all
the pressing rsvcrses oi the war is yet serv.
ing its purpose, and the people are looking
to the future with earnest and hopeful eye.
The life Of this Republic is dependent upon
no person or dynasty, but upon millions OF
honest hearts and intelligent minds. The
deep trouble at Washington develops the
strength of our political structure. Though
every member OF the General Government
had been stricken down, the Union Of the
States would have. remained, and each
would have brought to the national rescue
its full Executive and Judicial force. We
may be paned-we may be humilated-we
may shudder at this bloody smirch which
shows so grimly upon our annals but we
bate not one jot of heart or of hope. We
would make no arrogant boast, but we feel
and know that the people will rise to the
great occasion. The destinies Of this Re
public were never confided to the hands of
tinsel play-actor.
We have noted as it was our duty to do,
the evidences Of public feeling throughout
the country. We find profound grief, bitter
regret, and a painful and passionate emo
ton. We have seen tears in the eyes of
strong men; but they were the Witnesses
| net OF weaknesses, but of firm and uu-
| hinching purpose. If the wretched man
who has brought mourning upon the nation
had been capable of reasonably estimating
| the otnr,l rac,,lt ~ IL L.
bave seen the folly if not the guilt Of his
rarely been followed by ro, ,olution, because
it naturally turns the minds of men to the
value of law and the necessity of ORDER
We believe this must be apparent to the
hastiest observer. Great meetings have
been convened in all parts of the country
the pulpit and the press have S, oxen in no
uncertain tonc the public authorities every
where have taken official cognizance Of these
events and in every speech, message, pro-
clamatIon, sermon or article, we find not
merely wholesome dread of anarchy, but
a stern determination to resist it in its very
beginnings. We have not contended with
treason so long without learning the sacred
ness and value eff intelligent loyalty. The
murder of the President makes all classes,
the so-called high and the so-called low, the
rich and the poor, those who are moro and
those who are less cultivated-it makes all
conscientious men wisely conservative. Inf
deity to the Constitution never showed SO
grimy as to-day. The blood of the martyrs
has been called tho seed of the church-the
murder of the President may prove the sal.
vaton of the nation. Hereafter, we must
count liberty and order as costly possessions
and be very mindful Of the price which we
have paid for them. The time may come when
bloodshed 81 all not be the condition ofhuman
progress and of personal rights, certain and
unquestioned and nothing will hasten the
day of placid security more surely than the
desperate and bloody business which, while
it has shocked, has also instructed us. 1t
is astonishing to find the country so quiet,
so firm, so self-sustained. Never has it been
so fixed in it's spurpese-never SO determined
at once and forever to extcrminate treason
to its last trace. We mean to have coun-
try. We mean to have Government
We mean to have peace, order, security
We mean to have obedience to all just and
necessary laws. We mean to have true
civilization. We mean to blot out the last
signs Of barbarism in our institutions and
our legislation. To effect these honorable
purposes, we mean to make all events,
whether adverse or fortunate, our helpers.
So, with firm mind and inhexible purpose,
stands the American people to-day. Men
may be murdered but not Truth, Justice
and Humanity.
We trust that there may not be too much
anxiety respecting the feeling with which
tidings of this heavy event will be received
abroad. We can afford to bear illiberal and
unintelligent comment, and not be restire
under uncharitable criticism, while satisfied
of the rectitude Of our purposes. When
Bellngham shot Mr.. Percsval in the lobby
of the House of Commons, the British
Government still went on. When the Cato
st. conspirators came within an ace of muir
dering the whole British Cabinet at min
isterial dinner party, the British Government
still went on. When mad woman fired pis-
tol at George III. at the theator, the Brit
ish Government still went on. A just con
stitutional government bears charmed life
it is only autocracies that the dagger or
the pistol of the conspirator can overthrew.
Ii would be strange, indeed, if at such
moment we should despairof the Republic.
Gov. Andrew of Massachusetts, struck the
key note of the hour when he said, in his
Message to the Legislature communicating
the death of the President, ''Let the Gov
ernment and the people resolve to be brave,
faithful impartial, and just" If we have
been subjected to grievous and unexpected
trials, we have still unlimited resources. 1t
is not in the power Of regiment of skuk-
ing murderers to reach the brave popular
heart The Constitution is bullet-proof. -
Liberty is locked up in complete steel, and
is iu danger only in the house of her friends.
We beg Of all who are disposed to despond,
fairly to survey the condition OF the country,
and to mark the subdued but noble spirit
which everywhere prevails. We have not
battle against shipwrcck so long to meet
With it now. Those who have eyes to sac
need not despair of a future which is full Of
hope and Of promise. In. Y. Tribune.