The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-05-03
REFLECTIONS OF THE HOUR.

REFLECTIONS OF THE HOUR.
The present constitutes an era, marke
and memorable in our National existence,
and may fifty photograph other limes.-
For the past four years, it has been a
stern struggle for our liberties, of which
little but the form and shadow was left
us,--an eloquent re-assertion at the
mouth of columbiads and rled projectiles,
of the principles of our rich Inheritance
well nigh squandei ed--a CORY struggle for
the richest legacy God ever bcqueathed to
man.
Remembrance of its priceless value
and bloody cost, come up before us at
this hour from many battle ground, -
from Bunker Hill and Lexington, from
Saratoga and Yorktown, from Stony
FONT and Concord-imparing fresh in
spiration to all that symbOlizes the march
of Freedom and Civilization on the
Earth.
The drum-beat of Liberty now echoes
round the world and the lncarcerated
Angel of Freedom, lmnured in the dusty
cells and dungeons of monarchy, secretly
plumes her wings in sympathy with the
march Of tn, irrepressiblc contlict'-an
irresistible idra-thc idea of the worth
and lniiitn,ble rights Of man from winch
shall spring and grow and flourish the
stability of the nations and the unity of
the world
THE PRESENT.
Tempcst-tossed and driven by the mad
dencd waters of treason for four weary
years, at length the demon of oppression
| is cast out, the scales fallen from the eyes
! of the blinded nation-the darkness lifted
from its murky tomb-ihc key stone
stricken from the broad bold arch Of
crime and oppression and they now top
pie TO their fab. Yes, thank God, the
war is virtually over-thc torsin of an
emancipated nation rings ont clear on the
air and the dawn Of a triumphant morn
ing begins to shed its hinnacle light, TO
g:i lie the nation to safe and permanent
moorings.
With each revolution of the planets
come also revolutions of thought aud ac-
tion-rotten and ehete theories are ex-
ploded-usages and institutions of bar
barism swept away, and with the stride of
revolving spheres, we stand on the shores
of a new nationality aud hail the light of
new and brighter era, pregnant with
hope and joy TO the oppressed of every
land.
Human bondage. with its auction
blocks, whips and ft,ters have been hand
ed over to judgment, doomed and
swept before the srocco blasts of war;
'all abuses have but limited life -
the right only is eternal" TO nations
as well as individuals, belongs an inner
and higher life. that attaches an mher-
ent and vitalizing power, unlcrivcd from
scrolls and parchmcnts
Virtue, Righteousness, justice, faith
regard for truth and love of humanity.
are the underlying granite-the Gibral-
tern rocks on which the superstructnre of
grand nationality shall be reared
against witch the maddencd waters of
tyranny and oppression, shall beat and
hurl their surf in vain forever
The stern and terrible scenes through
which the Nation has just passed, are
clothed with a divine mission, which
shall forever reform the monster vices and
abuses Of the age. The years 81, go,
'63 and "a have set the keynote, and
hereafter the pedals and stops shall work
with n truer harmony, and strike high
err and noblcr octave in the swelling an
them Of human progress.
In the unfolding of this panoramic
scene, what dissolying views, what thrill
ling changes. The letters of long cen
tury are brokcn--thc bowed slave takes
hope, ana halls with ccstacy the boon of
freedom and new lfe-the mourncr
dries his tears-old forms of sanctifcd
error look decrepid and hideous--ty-
rants trembe and turn pale-pelty
thrones crumble AMI perish-fettcrs snap
asunder-won ana wasted fields become
rich in garnered harvests-and instead
of ignorance ond squalor, poverty and
crime, may be seen on every hill top and
in each peaceful valley, retinue of ms
sonaries and teachers, heradinS the tri-
umphant march of humanity attuned
anew, to higher and lofier harmonics.
THE FUTURE.
We share not the convictions of that
class of croakers who phrophecy for our
country DISTRESS and rum. Nay, verify
we believe the future of our Republic is
spanned by golden bow OF richest prom
Use.
When the war is truly over, when the
the banners have been furled-swords
sheathed-cannon hushod-tents struck,
armies war-ships laid up, and
the smoke of battle cleared away, when the
schemes Of u mad and reckless ambition
shall have given place TO higher and