Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-03-04

TO-DAY Americs comes of age. To
day We employ anew the greatest Of our |
servants whom We have tried four years
and not found wanting
This is Of right q joyous occasion,
when our feelings cannot be expressed
in mere WORDS time tor heartfelt
thankfuIuess and review of the past
Today we look from q standpoint Of
comparative safety, and it is ct time TO
look back TO our seasons Of dependency
and gloom, when "God was leading us
By way which we knew not" Amid ths
general rejoicing What loyal man does
not feel bis heart 90 back With start 70
foar years ago, to the gloomy winter Of
81, when al was doubt and uncertainty
both among rulers and people. Then
We we're not yet certain that the many
we're willing to do anything in support
Of their country's honor; VIXEN the patriot
felt as though shut in q temple whose
foundations were shaken With storm,
and which might ct any moment bury
him 10 its ruin&
Then the very Capital of the nation
was menaced, while Union Soldiers we're
held close prisoners in Southern forts
built 10 defend the very people who nov
stood in hostile array against them; and
yet Cancellation and compromise we're
still discussed in the halls of Congress
Again, Who does not remember, hal
with sorrow and half With shame, thoss
terrible days Of July, 1851, when W
felt 10 oar Utmost souls that our arm,
was whipped, that the exnlting South
ernsr had The mastery over Us, ana
danced in triumph over the graves o
our slaughtered brethren.
And yet IL We could then have ha'
eur wills swift victory and an cas-,
peace--the nation would have beel
ruined, As far as a high and holy mia
sion among nations was conce rned, W
would have been lost { hollow true
would have been patched up, prid
would have usarped the place Of nation
al justice, thee nations sin would haV
gathered strength, and ruin, st las
would have come, deserved and erusl
ing. But God had work for as to ds
, path for az 70 walk, and though II TAI
' our frat defeat we groaned in spiri
knowing moi Shai TO ask for as We oaghi
yet mightieF spirit made intereessio
Tor IS " with groanings which could nj
!, be uttered F"
After = season Of inAction came
succession Of victories, aud We ono
!. more fondly hoped for . return Of peacl
But We bad not suffered enough. Viewer
4 not jet ready to discard our idols, an
n disasters again overlook our arms, so
the end of one year Of active war foun
; the Capital Of the nation again in DANCE
aud the enemy confronting "a almost :
our doors Then We awoke to the reali
9 that war vas upon ua. Border State ped
; was thrown aside, the sword wAs draw
? IN the name Of justice, humanity "a
y freedom 70 ST, and under the lead
new men our heroes have marched G
d TO victory. Today our victorious arr
4 les ara in the heart Of the Confcdsrss
r giving the last strokes 10 the rsbeilio
: The flag which fouryears ago vas hsule
r down from Sumter's walls floats thel
l. again in proud triumph; the birsh-pla,
. Of secession has bowed IN homane to Il
u spirit Of liberty, and rebellion rseeiv
II lie hardest blows OF The VERY spot OF |
il origin.
70 Is not all this sufficient cause for r
d joicingT Therefore let the people con
N together ~ish hearty thanksgiving, vi
10 eafnes. resolves OF patriotism, and
70 determination in the future, as 10 d
ID past, to devote every energy to the
r, countrys defence, that soon We may 1
70 rejoice in Union restored. aud aha
9, the blessings Of an elevated and reue
,e cd national life.