Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-12-07

v.a. he said 10 them and through them N the country
aud nanknd, that "'rhe preservation Of The sacred
life of hbesy nnd the drslluy OF the fepnblican mode
government arc justy considered a. deeply perhaps ms
hnnlly stnked the experiment entrusted 10 the Amer
lean people And We iiouse q, nePIs,Ves kan M Sn
adore the Invisible hand which has led the American
people through 20 many dlnoolle, 70 cherish csn'
urty More than seVenty-six yenfs have gided away
since these word, were spoken tho United tnes have
passed through seyerer trials uia were ofeseeni and
now at This new epoch In our existence rs n nation,
with Union purified by sorrow, and strengthened BY
conflict pnd established ~ the virtue Of the people, the
greatness OF the occasion Invites 10 re-
peat with solemniy the pledges OF our nthers 10 hold
tho success OF tie republican form of government
Experience has proved Us efficiency IN peace aud ar
i has vndicaIed It's authority through dangers aud OFF
fcuies, and sudden ard terrible emergencies, which
would have crushed any system that had been less
firmly fixed in tie hearts Of the people At the na1g-
urson of Washington the foreign relations OF the cou-
try were few, aud its trade was repressed by hostile
regulutons now all civilized nations oi the globe well
yard us amty. Then our country felt its way hesita.
linsy along on nnried path, with Sntes 30 e bound
toee er ly rapid meas Of communication ms 10 6e
hardly known 10 one unother aud with historic uadi-
ons extending over very few years; now Intercourse
between lie States is swift aud intimate the experience
ii centuries has been crowded into few generations.
aud has created ntecse. understandable Nationality.
Then jurisdiction did not extend beyond the incor-
vrnen, bonndaries OF the territory which had achieved
independence through cessions Of lands, first coz
onzed by Spain France, the country has acquired
more complex character aud has for ~ natural limits
the chain Of Rkes. the Gulf of Mexico and the Fast
aud West the two great oceans. Oiher naiions were
wasted by civil for ages before they could estab-
lsh for themselves the necessary de gree OF unity the
latent conviction that form OF Is the best
ever known 10 the word has enab ed us TO emerge
from civil war within four years with a
complete vindicnon OF the constitutional authority of
The General Government aud with local liberties
aud State institutions unmpaired
The Ihrongs Of emigrants that crowd to shores
witnesses OF the confidence OF NIL people IN cur penn-
nence. Here is the great land OF free labor where in
dUttry Is blessed with unexamped rewards and the
Tread oil the wOrklngmun e~eelenen Dy tne con-
scous,iess tina, ihe cause Of the country us his own
enjoys The free use oi his faculties and the choice
of aciiviiy as natural right Here. under the combined
Influence Of fruitful soil genial climes aud happy in
sutions population has increased fifteen fold within
ren,ury Here through the ems development oi bound
less resources wcalIi has increased with Two Told
secure against the financial vcissudrs Of other CONT
tres, and. alike ~ business md in opinion, are self
cenlred aud truly independent Here more and more
care is given loprovide education for every one born
snil Here religion released from poticnl CON
neruon WIN The cvl governments refuses 70 s9nserve
the craft Of statesmen and becomes III lis "d"~nd'
the spiritual liz. o th- people. Here liberation
Is extended to every opinion IN the quri certainly that
truth needs y fair field 10 secur' the victory Here
the human mind goes forth unsa,klcd IN the pursuit OF
sci-uce. collect stores Of knowledge aud mcguire an
ever increasing mastery ever the forces Of Here
matt amt donan l. offered and held in millions of
srparaie frreoids 50 that our fellow ci,izrns hevord
the occupants of any other part Of the earih constitute
In reality people Here exists the Democratic form of
government and that form of government by the cor.
fe.,ion Of Eafnpran statesmen gives power of
which no other 70 IN s capable because Incorporates
every man with the State, and arouses everything that
belongs 10 the soul"
Where. in past history does parallel exist To the
public happiness which Is ~tiin the reach OF the pro-
p OF the United States? Fhcre. in any part Of the
globe institutions he foHnd suited TO thei habits
entitled TO their lovH, their own constitution =
Every of them then. in whatever part OF tie land
he has his home, must wish its perreniiy. WHO OF
them will Acknowledge. in the words Of Wash
ingon TINT every step in which the people o The Uni
ted States have advanced the character of an nde
pendent nation seems have been DISTINGUISHED by
some token OF Ptovidemal agency! who will not
Join with IN the prayer that the invisible hand which
hiss led through the couds that looned around our
path, will guide us ouwnrd 10 perfect restoration of
fraternai afe con that Of this day may be able 10
transmit great nhetilance OF State Governments IN
all their rights OF the General Government in its whole
Constitutional vgor pnserty, and they 10 theirs,
through countless generations! - . |
ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON. December A. leG5.