Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-07-28
WHAT IS ALL THIS FORp

The war is over-the rebellion crushed
peace restored. For four long, anxious years
we have been in conflict, face to face, with a
mighty foe bent on the destruction of all we
hold most dear on earth. In that desperate
conflict untold thousands of our bravest and
best have given up their lives on the bloody
field of battle, or died in hospital prison.
Bereavement and grief have been carried into
homes more than we can number, and the
treasures we have expended surpass our power
of calculating. And, looking back upon all
this suffering, loss of life and expenditure of
money, we may naturally ask, What is all this
forP What gain to compensate for this lossp
Much, in many ways. We fought for our
nationality, for the integrity of our Union, for
the preservation Of our Government, the best
on earth, and our object is gained. Our flag
waves in triumph over all the territory that
was ever ours, over all the States that rebe!led
and seeded from us, Jefying our power, dis
honoring our flag and scornng our authority.
Our Union will never again be broken by re-
bellon; no traitorous hand will henceforth aim
deadly blow at our national life; no arm will
be outstretcbed to pull down our glorious flag.
Henceforward our government will stand on a
foundation strong as "shore of rock"
But more than this have we gained. We
have struck the shackles of slavery from mill
ions of the negro race, and emancpated from
thraldom other millions of ignorant and de-
graded white men and women. For two weary
years we contended only for nationality, for the
integrity Of the Union. The contest was then
doubtful. The enemy were as often victorious
as we. Our armies gained no decisive victo-
ries, won no signal triumphs. Our cause hung
in the balance. Doubt and uncertainty brood
ed darkly over us. 1t was too apparent that SO
fighting we should not succeed. And then il
was, in that dark hour, that in the good provi-
dence of GOD Abraham Lincoln became divine
ly inspired. The spirit of Liberty, of Enamel
patton was breathed from on High into his hon.
est and truth-seeking SOUL and forth came hi:
immortal Proclamation of Emancipation. A
new life was breathed into loyal and liberty
loving hearts; new power was given to the
nation; a new idea was added to that nation
atty for which alone we had been waging war
Now it was "Liberty and Union, one and in
separable." Liberty and justice for the en-
shaved and trodden, white or black, thai
inspired our armies, gave strength to our cause
and placed us on Gods side. And then it wal
that our armies were furnished with command
ers worthy their trust, and our arms began t
be victorious. From that period we grew
stronger and stronger, our foe weaker anC
weaker, till the final downfall of that so-calet
Confederacy which was conceived in sin, brough
forth in iniquity, and ended in shame and dis
grace. And now the land is free. Slavery
"the sum of all villanies," the burning sham
of our country, and the cause of our woes, i
numbered with the barbarites of the ages tina
are past, and its foul carcass is forever to b.
hidden from the sight of American citizens
And is here no gain no boon worthy the sac
rifceP no blessing to compensate for GU
lossesp
But further STILL We shall henceforth stan
as beacon-light to the liberty-loving and th
down-trodden Of all lands; and from the sue
cess of our arms in the cause of freedom, an
free institutions, and democratic ideas, and re
publican government, they will derive heart an
hope and resolve that they too will some da
enjoy similar blessings. The monarchs an
despots Of the Old World will begin to see tn
handwriting Of their fate blazing in letters {