American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-06-07

predecessor. ana OF MS OWN assuming the
Vice Presidency, has been made sub
ject of general comment 1t is reported
that President Lincoln conversed serious
ly with him on the subject, afterwards,
and that Mr johnson said, it was the last
time that he would thus indulge. He
has since signed declaration that in his
Judgment the use of intoxicating drinks
is not only unnecessary but also greatly
injurious. We are taught however there
by the weakness of man, and the neeessl-
ty of total abstinence, and the duty OF
humility before God.
\ [ have not time to dwell upon our va
rious sins-Avarice, Sabbath breaking,
Impurity, &c. May God give us true re-
pentance this day and continually.
A fifth reason for sorrow is that public
morals are likely to suffer. Many of the
soldiers will not be contented to walk as
heretofore in the peaceful paths of indus
try. Some of the officers aud soldiers
will no doubt, be less temperate, less re-
gardful of the Sabbath, and more addict
ed to profanity than they were. And yet,
those who have passed through the con
flict with their morals unimpaired, will
be stronger and better than ever Their
virtue has been tested. and purified in the
furnace through which they have passed
On these accounts, " the victory has
Been turned into mourning"
But let us,
IL Consider our causes for rejoicing
and thanksgiving.
!. We ought to be thankful for gictory
No doubt that Israel was truly thankful
that Absalom's rebellion was suppressed.
And the outward demonstrations would
have been abundant, had they not been
chastened and controlled through respect
for David's grief So our demonstrations
of ioy woulo have been extravagant and
excessive, to sinful degree perhaps, if it
had not been for the sad catastrophe.-
The good taste and real heartfelt sor-
row and piety, Of our people; have
combined to turn the exultations for vic
tory into badges of mourning. And yet
we ought to rejoice and be thankful
Prayers have been ascending all over our
land, that God would suppress the wicked
rebellion. Now, when those prayers are
heard, and answered, it would be sinful
not to rejoice and to pour out our CRATE
full acknowledgements. Our good gov
ernment has been sustained against an i'm
mense pressure our Northern homes
have net been invaded wicked men have
been hurled from their usurped seats of
power; and their violent dealings have
come down, emphatically upon their own
pates.
Assassius have been arrested and one
has ignobly perished. BY the flag o? our
country, the foot of the vile Booth was
tripped, aud thus crippled; showing that
that flag, when it fails, entirely to protect
our country's friends, will aveuge our
country's enemies For our glorious sue
cesses we praise the God of nations.
And here it may be proper to remark
that every prayer offered for our country's
success, every encouraging word uttered,
every resolution adopted by religious and
civil bodies, and even every patriotic
song; had an effect in bringing about the
glorious result. Some thought that chris
tian men said too much, and that Eccle-
siastieal bodies passed too many resolu-
tions in favor of upholding the govern
ment in its work Of suppressiug the re-
belion. But words Of encouragement
were aeceSSa,y; and added to our coun-
try's strength These words of cheer en-
couraged the soldiers, and encouraged
those who were paying taxes, and encour-
aged our rulers. There may have been
some Incorporate language used, as, no
doubt there was; but even that should
be overlooked in such contest for the
life of the nation.
2. We ought to give thanks for the
prospects Of peace. uaH
0 how sweet will it be to enjoy peace
once more ! What joy will it be to grasp
the hands Of our sons and brothers, re-
turned in safety out of the very jaws of
death and to return no more to the dread
encounter! The desolated countries too,
will become fruitful again. Amity and
good will, will no doubt be restored. And
CUR beloved country will enter upon new
career of prosperity. Becoming wiser
from the experience of the past, and
seeking Gods merciful protection and
,abundant grace, may we not anticipate a
bright and glorious future
There is a recuperative energy in this
Republic, which with Gods blessing will
soon restore our land to prosperity even
greater than it has ever enjoyed
If the minerals now annually brought
out of the mines of Pennsylvania alone
could be applied tothe purpose, in 25 years
they would extinguish the vast debt con-
tractcd in this war, principal and interest
The oil wells in Nenango County, at the
present value of their yield, would do it
IN a century.
Sd, Finally, we have cause to be shank
full at the prospect of the entire removal
Of slavery from our land
This immense evil is said even now to
be destroyed.
The General Assembly of our church.
last year, uttered the following language
4" The General Assembly does hereby de-
voutly express its gratitude to Almighty
God for having arrested the wickedness
and the calamities of the rebellion, so as
to work out the deliverance of our coun-
try from the evil and guilt of slavery =
a,0I III :. -.