The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-04-03
PROCLAMATION OF PEACE

PROCLAMATION OF PEACE.
This, the third day of April, in the year Of
our Lord 1866, civil war ends in the United
States Of America by official proclamation.
Months since the standards Of Q powerful foe
hid been furled, and the opposing armies had
been vanquished and dispersed; but the tu-
mults and terrors that war had brought in
its train had not altogether disappeared.
War hung like pail over the land, as the
thick smoke hangs over the battlefield after
hostilities have ceased.
Peace waited for one act and one declara-
ton to be made real and universal through
out the Republic. That word has this day
been pronounced; the President Of the
United States, as Commander-in-Chief Of the
armies and navies, sheathes the sword and
proclaims throughout the length and breadth
Of the land that peace, with its welcome
messages, peace with its fair hopes and its
priceless blessings, reigns supreme in this
nation. The President, in his proclamation,
recites the various state papers Of his illus
trious and immortal predecessor, the mighty
deeds Of our valiant legions, and the present
pacific condition Of the country which lead up
to and authorize this sublime act For the
fourth time in the comparatively short his
tory Of this people, peace with her "gentle
wings" has lifted above the dark and murky
clouds Of war. When our fathers wrested
the colonies from the crown Of Britain, it
came; when we fought the second time with
the Lion Of England; when we planted our
victorious flag in the "halls of the Montezu-
mas" and now when the foul hand Of treason
struck at the sacred life Of the nation, il
comes again. Not now need we, or care we
to recount the struggle or the awful cost
This is the hour for undated joy and com
mon congratulation. Enough it is to know
that no more traitors stand up to defy the
Government, and no more brave and daunt
less heroes are called upon to die in it's dc
fence. The war OF hostile cannon, the rattle
Of deadly musketry, the thud of marching
armies, the whole vast sad paraphernala o
war has ceased, and we trust for many Ions
years to come.
1t is the great glory Of this occasion that
peace is not only present and permanent
but is honorable The old flag floats ovel
every insurgent spot with unquestionet
jurisdiction. The supremacy of Govern
ment is everywhere acknowledged, and n,
man lifts his hand against the laws of tn,
land. The mighty curse of bondage has gon,
down in the red tide of blood; to every Cit
zen has come the inestimable boon of nation
atty, and to every slave the hallowed RICH
Of freedom.
It is the time for heartfelt thanks rathe
than triumphant recapitulation.
Peace, the highest and happiest condition
OF earth, and the eternal condition of Heaven
visits once more the land of our birth. II
the remotest boundaries of the great Repub
lie, and to every home therein, this announce
ment will carry thrill Of delight. Across
the seas it will be borne, inspiring the respec
Of all governments and the undying gratitude
of every devotee of liberty.
We have suffered much, but we have wor
much.
No CHASTITY list of victims; no terrible
record of outrages no vindictve resentment
mars the music of our te Deums.
Peace, with free and enlightened people
like its wars, seem alike to honor and ador1
humanity.
Kindness to the captive and imprisoned
traitor marked the whole course Of our event
full conflict so generosity as rare as it il
sublime signalizes the advent of returning
peace.
To its unlimited opportunities and en-
nobling services let every American citizer
now devote himself let its spirit of concord
pervade every heart, SO that the historian
may yet record that as great as we were il
war, we were still greater in peace.