The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1865-07-25

Grated TO those whose forms repose ia
off in rude graves, or sleep ,beneatl
the sea, by the marble column pointin;
up to heaven. Embalmed in the mem
} oiies of succeeding generations, the
2 heroic dead will live, on in immorta
: youth, Let us not forget that for mil
! lions slain millions mourn. Tears, moi
figures, express our irrepalablc loss.
Scarcely house in all the land that il
not in mourning. Who shall fill the
| vacant place at SO many homes made
1 dcsolate, and whisper consolation
| Alas there is no balm to heal the af
flicted and the bcreayed. But now the
great conflict is at an end; and how the
heart leaps with Joy and grateful aspir-
ations to Almighty God who has atlast
guided our gallant hosts to victory. On
this blessed day what Joy overspreads
the nation. The dark night of war is
ended, with all its suffering and desc.
lation. Let sounding bells, bonfres
and illuminations attest our grateful
satisfaction. Praise God frona whom
all blessings flow. b ao,a3I
Now to the brave officers and sol.
diers who have borne the brunt of bat
tie and honor us with their presence
at this hour, we would say, that we re-
joice with you that your lives have
been spared to behold this joyous day.
BY your labor and suflering--your bat
ties and sieges-by perils by land and
by sea; on the march and in the camp;
in the heat Of battle, amid shot and fire,
and flame, you have sustained the glo-
rious flag of the Republic, which now
waves in all the pride of its conquest,
over every fort, city and village
throughout tho leiigth and breadth of
the land. Welcome, thrice welcome to
those homes to which you, have re-
turned, enriched with immortal honors.
We pay you q heartfelt tribute, entire
ly beyond the compass ofowords. The
nation owes one debt it will never be
able to pay-the debt it owes to the
Army and Navy. Here we are all per-
mitted to rejoice together that in this
great contest in which liberty, law, or
der and civilization have been arrayed
against de.potism, injustice, anarchy
and decentralization, the right has tri-
umphed. lie wicked arm of rebellion
which was raised to strike down our
liberties, is paralyzed. The Union and
the Constitution emerge from the dark
night of war, lasting through four
eventful years, more glorious and en-
during than ever. '''"il Fl
Ruin sits in the cradle Of treason
Where it was spawned, fruitful fields
have turned back to Wilderness
Towrs and cities have been razed, in
dustry paralyzed, morals corrupted,
the public veal invaded by rapine and
anarchy, whole States ravaged by
avenging armies. Rebellion has per-
ished, and that flag of our fathers is
still our flag, and lifted to the breeze
proclaims that not State is blotted out;
with the visible certainty that our coun-
try will continue to advance, and
wherever that banner waves there glo-
ry will pursue, and freedom be estab-
lshed In the name of liberty it pro-
claims, no more secession, no moro ac-
cursed rebellion, no moro slavery, and
beneath its folds let traitors beware
They had better flee to the mountains,
and call upon the roc ks to fall on them,
and hide them from the wrath of God
and an offended Government.
There have been times within the
past four years when the life of the ma
ton seemed to hang upon single
thread, but under the greatest compli.
cation Of difficult circumstances, the
masses of our people have seemed to
be the coolest and most determined
Elements Of strength have been devel-
oped of which we never dreamed,
Calmly, deliberately, constantly have
VIC perseyered in the great work of
crushing out rebellion. The war has
been prosecuted within ourselves, by
our own resources. Wehaye contract
ed no debt with any foreign power
Whatever we owe weowc to ourselves.
History does not afford a brighter e1-
ample of patriotic devotion and saeri-
fee. 80 s6I !
The long and weary period of strife
has not been unlningled with good
The sentiment OF loyalty and patriot
ism is rooted and grounded i'll the very
soul. Never so much as now did we
love our country. Our homes, the en-
dearing relation of husband and wife,
parent and child, brother and sister,
friend and ncighbor, are more sacred
than ever beforc.v fO ia
The knowledge we have acquired in
political truth, in the lore of history, in
The geography Of our country must be
of immense value. We have dadvane.
ed half hundred years in four.ls. We
believed in our institutions and princi-
Piles before; but now we know their
power, and that we areIright. We
have demonstrated to the world that
a people educated and moral, are CON-
petent to all the exigencies Of national
life. A vote can govern better than a
crown. We have proved it. A peo-
pie itelligent and religious are strongin
all the elements of national greatness.
We arc fitted for peace, and yet we
are competent for war. Patient in ad-
versity, enduring cheerfully all needfnl
burdens, we have taxed ourselves by
our own votes moro extensively than
any monarch would dare to tax his
people, aame
We have poured forth without stint
relief for the suiferings of war, and
have raised charity to the realm of mu-
nificence. Our skill and industry have
enabled us at once to supply armies
such as never were supplied to any
other armies. With proof of strength
so great, we have shown conclusively