, 1865-04-04

The rebel citadel has fallen. Richmond is
ours! The news sped through the country
yesterday on the wings Of lightning, and
lighted up the nation With a blaze Of clory.
-Four years ago this month the rebellion was
anaugurnted ut Charleston, In tue smoke OF
cannon hurling shot and shell at Fort Sum-
Ter. -Four years ago this month loyal men
vowed eternal war upon the traitors who
dared to dras the stars and stripes in the
dust. -Four ycars ago this month the na-
ton entered into a solemn covenant
never to lay down Its arms till the very nest
OF treason should be reached md crushed
The VOW has been fulfilled, the covenant has
been kept. The head and front Of the rebel.
lion has been reached and emitten with the
mailed hand Of the loyal North. OF all the
places hateful to God and man. Richmond
has been, for four long years, the most ab-
AorTcd and detcsted. Not eyen Charleston,
with all its crimes, has been 50 odlous,
Apart from its distinction as the rebel
capital, it has so embodied the Eplrit Of
secession. its press has been 80 infuriatcd md
Its people SO possessed with the devil of
rebellion, that no 4ther spot Of Garth eau
bear comparison with 1t for Ill the distin-
Guishing MARKS Of abomtnation. Upon it
has been centercd the anl1ncsity Of every
loyal heart; against it have been directed
tAr most powerful armies Of the Union in
its defense have been collected the utmost
resources and ability Of the Confedcracy
around It have fallen Thousands of&he brayess
and best Of the land while in It's fate, it
may be said that the whole world has felt an
absorbing interest.
Richmond has fallen, and q day Of jubilee
has come to 1he whole nation. We do well
to rejoice, for this is the erandcst event that
ever happened to us as people 1t makes
little ditIertnce which way the remnant Of.
Lees army has gone. II Richmond could not
u held, nothing can he. The struggle may
centinue for brici period, but It will be
hopeless and feeble contest. The heart has
been reached. The rebellion is among the
things Of the past. From the ashes Of the
rebel capital will rise new lift to
the rnitcd States Of America. Free
dom will hcncelorth be the crown
and glory Of the Republic. The
golden age Of America will date from the Sd
Of April, 1865, when the flag Of the Union was
restored upon the batlements Of Richmond,
and future generations shall look back to II |
with grateful reverence. Thanks be to God |
who givcth the victory! Thanks to the
great captain who led our hosts in this last |
great triumph. Thanks to the brave soldiers |
whose constancy an6 heroism. during all |
these weary years, have borne Us safely |
through the struggle. Thanks to the LOYAL |
men and women Of NIL the land, whose faith
has not waycrcd, and whose courage
has not waned. The be1oved country,
1or which so many precious lives
have been given, SO many tears hare been
shed, 60 many prayers offered to the Almighty
Father, il sdsed. We have home and hc1i-
tagc, government, and flag from which
not star has been erased, or ever ahau be.
From the mi6et Of our afflictions there has
daWned upon us m era Of t'peace on earth
and good will toward men,. We have passed
through trial, which no milton has ever
before encountered and survived. The future
henceiorth is full Of the promise Of greatness
to America aud freedom to the World.