The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-06-21
State Of Michigan.
Mlehlsan 50 dlsr.. omcers and Nen:

Michigan . diers, Officers and yeu:
In the hour OF National danger and peril
when the safety. when the very eXistance,
OF your country was imperiled, You lett,
your iiresides, yOur homes and your fami-
hes, TO defend the government and the Un-
ion. But the danger is now averted, the
struggle is ended. and victOry-absOlute
and complete yictOry-has perched npon
your banners You have conquered glO
riOus peace, and are thereby permitted To
return again 10 your homes and 10 the pur-
suits of tranquil industry, tc which l now
welcome you'll And, not only for myself,
but for the people of the state, do | oiier
YOU a most cordial greeting.
Citizen Soldiers recognized by the instl-
tutiOns Of the land as freemen Is American
citizens, that prOudest OF all political dis
tinctiOns, and possessing in common with
every citizen the elective franchise. which
coniers the right TO an exercise OF the SOW
ereign power; you had become SO Identified
and engrossed with the national enterprise
and prosperity derived from the untram-
melled privileges OF OF republican freedom,
that the enemies Of these Institutions, in
their Ignorance OF the principles upon which
they are founded, madly aud foolishly be-
lieved that YOU were destitute OF manhood.
They supposed you had become so debased
10y continued toll as 10 be devoid OF every
nObele impulse. They imagined that you
were towards and cravenS, and that 10y the
threaIenings alone Of a despOtic and tyran-
meal oligarchy YOU could not only be sub
dued but robbed OF your inheritance OF
Freedonl-Ot your bIrth-rght OF Liberty
those glorious aud priceless legacies from
your patriotic sires. Through the vilest
treaehery aud fouiest robbery, these wick
ed and perjured men, whom their country
had not only greatly benefited aud favored
but highly honOred believed that by dis
polling Your country Of lis reputatiOn-oi
It's treasures-Of lis means Of protection
aud defense they had ensured your degra-
datlOn and defeat.
Fatal mistake and terrible its conse-
quenCcs 10 those wicked and iOrsworn men,
Us well as TO their deluded aud blinded vO-
LarleS
Soldiers you have taught lesson, not
only 10 the enemies Of Your country, but 10
The world, which will never be forgotten.
With your brave comrades from every loyal
state IN this great and redeemed Union,
have met these Wanting ami purjured trait
Urs and rebels, face 10 face, upon the field
vi battle IN The front OF strongly fortified
ua1le rampartS; and by your skill and val
Or, your persistent efforts and untlrlng de-
yOliUn 10 the sacred cause vi Freedom, OF
Civilization. and OF Mankind, you have
proved 10 those aIch-criminals and their
sympathlZers, that II it's not necessary for
men 10 be serls and slaves in order 10 be
soldiers; bat that in the hands OF tree and
enlightened citizens, enjoying the blessings
and advantages conferred by free instilu-
tons. the temple OF liberty Will ever be safe
and Its escutcheOn forever unSullleI.
Fellow citizens OF Michigan Patriot
Citizen Soldiers Although YOU return 10
Us bearing honorable marks OF years Of toll
Of hardship, Of prlvatiOn and OF sulerIng-
many Of You with bodies INITIATED, MANI
cd and scarred-mOurnlng the loss OF brave
comrades rutnlessly slain Oh The field OF bat
Tie, tortured 10 death by Inches, or ioully
murdered m cold blood, not Wiki the weap-
On Of 4 soldier, but by the lingering pangs
OF starvation and exposure; yVS you viii ~
The future enjoy Tie proud satisfaction OF
having aided III achieving Tor your country
her second Independence; IN vIndlcatng
the national honor aud dignity; III over
throwing mat despOtic and unholy power
which has dared 10 raise its hldeOus head
on this Continent Tor the purpose OF tram
ping upOnU destroying that lnallenaOle
right ~ lie, liberty and the pursuit Of hap
iness, which is the birth-right Of all; and
nnally placing the Union, established by
the blood vi our Fathers, upon an imperlsh-
able foundation. You will also possess the
rich Inheritance OF meriuug the continued
plaudits and OF enjoying The constant graf
itude OF tree people, whose greatness you
have preserved IN its hour Of most Immi-
nent peril.
In the name OF the people OF Michigan,
thank You Tor the honor you have done US
b. your vaiOr, your Soldiery bearing. your
invlnciJle courage everywhere displayed,
whether upon the field OF battle, IN the
perilous assault or in the deadly breach;
Tor your patience under the tatgues, pr-
vations and suherings incident 10 war; and
Tor your discipline and ready obedience 70
the orders OF Your superiors. We are proud
in believing that when the history Of this
rebellion shall have been written, where all
have done well, none will stand higher on
the roll OF fame than the officers and sol
diers sent u the field from the loyal and
patriotic State OF Michigan.
HENRY Ii. CRAPO.
By His Excellency the Governor;
JAMES b. PORTER, Secretary OF state