The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-08-17

the barbarous and unnatural treat
ment by which, in Libby, on Bellc
Isle, and at Andorsonville. in the
light of the 10Th century, in a land
where the religion of Jesus is the hope.
of It's people, captive soldiers were de-
liberately murdered by q refinement
of cruelty more devilish andinhuman
than savage barbarity ever Devised
May tho curse of God blast and with
er the savage monsters, keepers of
those charnel.pens Of living death.
and may stern, retributive justice be
visited on the heads Of those who had
the boldnoss and audacity to instigate
and prompt tho cruel butchcry' of
your countrymen and friends.
Soldiers Of the Republic, you un-
locked the prison-doors, and broke
the captive's bonds asunder. AS an
incident of the war, and inseparablc
from the restoration of the Union, you
have wiped out from this great land
tho sin of Slavery, and by an irrevo-
cable decree declared that the feet of
the bondman shall press its free soil
no more forever twas not, however,
for this you took up arms. You went
forth not for conquest, or to interfere
with Slavery, though, by conquest,
you were entitled to hold and possess
the States in revolt as conquered
provinces. Having forcibly resisted
the authority of the Federal Govern
mont within their territorial limits,
and submitted to the arbitrament of
the sword and wager of battle, they
are subject, as conquered people, to
such terms and conditions as the Gov
crnment may see fit to prescribe. All
publicist have so written. But it was
not for this you entered tho service
you did so not TO hold and possess the
States in revolt as conquered provin-
ces, or to disturb Slavery, but to re-
bukc treason and punish traitors
You found it, however, a weapon OF
offence, a power in the hands of your
adversary, that it was being used by
insurgents for your discontinue, and
like wiso men you seized ii by the
throat, and it perished! ..,
Your reverence for the law and Con-
stitution, and its compromises, not
your love for slavery. made you un-
Willing to touch the unclean thing
But war changes mans relations to
his Governmont-so know your
great leader, and the necessities of
war warrants that being done, which,
in time of peace, would be illegal and
against public policy. Whom, there
fore, the men of the South, its insur-
gents and traitors, took up arms, bid
defiance to the Government, and for
chilly resisted its authority, they sub
iected themselves to the necessities Of
war, and made inevitable what has
followed. With them rosts all the re-
sponsibility and if tho great evil nc
longer exists, they can attribute it to
their own madness and folly. For
much as mon in tho North abhorred
Slavery, and dcplorcd its liberation
knowing tho circumstances under
which, at tho adoption of the Federal
Constitution, it was recognized by the
Fathers, regard for, and desire to car
ry out>in good faith their compact
would have prevented any interfer'
encc with it. But it has been abol
ished, and it becomes those who are
entrusted with the administration Of
your affairs 10 take care that the grea
cause of the rebellion shall never
again disturb aho peace of the ma
ton. .-
In coming years to have boon sol
dicr of the Republic, and aided in do
fcating most wickod attempt upoI
3. its life, will ontitle you to tho highes
consideration, and those who may com'
after you will refer to it with pride anC
satisfaction. To have been with Gran
at the siogo Of Vicksburg and capitu
lation of Pomberton, with Sherman il
the Georgia campaign, with Thoma
at the battles of Franklin and Nash
vile, and Sheridcn ut the surrender 0
Lee is enough to fill the measure Of a!
most any ones ambition.
Soldiers, you have acted your par
we'll, and having largely aided in put
ting down agroat conspiracy, you ro
turn with the proud consciousness o
having done your duty. For this, ant
feeling II deep solicitudo for the perpc
tuity of our institutions and Govern
mcnt, in the name Of people, thonl
you. May your great services, you
sacrifices, and suliorings be not in vain
And may tho blood of your brethren
, shed for the preservation Of the Union
the honorcd dead who lie in unmarlI
cd graves, dug, perhaps by strange
hands, down in somo solitary glen, o
on some bleak and lonely mountain
in some dark valley, or by tho rushing
waters Of some wild stream, with non
to tell where they slocp the wind
signing thor requiem, and birds of th
} green wood singing their matin song
over their solitary and bloody graves
may their precious blood have no
been shed in vain.
But through these sad bereavement
and great Affections, may concord b
restored to tho mombers Of this grea
household, and the Union our father
gave us, may it continue to be our Un
ion, tho Union Of our children, an
: thoir ehildren's children, forever,
Wo gladly welcome you, and pra
that the blessing of God bo upon yor
and that you long live to enjoy, IN
disturbed, the rich reward, so justl
, due men who have perilcd their live
: | fOr fhnir counb,.I