Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-06-02

6ispel the delusion. ...... .r.t
The common rights of man were violated
and the inexorable requirements of justice
I demanded that day of retribu.ion should
! come.
To such pass had things been carried,
that, in some sections of the land, there was
not day in which human souls were not
bought and transported as common chattels,
and families severed without compunction,
and nameless crueltles perpetrated without
the possibility of redress; whilst the whole
population of all the States was put under
requirements, to aid in holding tight the
bonds of the unoffending, and in remanding
to their tolls and miserics such as had
sufficient human feeling left to seek for
freedom by their fight. .
What the founders Of our institutions re-
garded and lamented as wrong to the
bondman and an evil to the State, had come
to be accepted and defended as the sub
limest 5eneficence the foundation of liberties,
and the proper basis of republican govern
ment nay, as the very ordination of AL
mighty goodness, to touch or question
which was considered treason to the country
and sin against God.
The enlargement and consolidation of
enslaving power had come 20 be the ergross-
ing object of national legislation, and the
making firm of slave bonds the great test of
patriotism. The press, the rostrum, and the
pulpit were being largely subsidized to the
same interest; and the free speech OF men
who failed in the pronunciation of its Slib-
boleth, in nearly every section of the country,
was put under ban, and held obnoxious to
all the penalties of this world, and of that
which is to come Long had the nation
submitted and yielded to the ever multiply
ing demands of the peculiar institution.
For the sake of peace we were willing to
and did concede much, war is not q char
acterestic of our race but an aristocracy
wrought to the highest pitch, and enthroned
on pride and wickedness, alike obnoxious
to a holy God and uninfatuated man, like
the waves of the deep in waiting for the
storm, became more and more fretful and it
dared to accomplish its purpose, at the sac
ritice of every principle of right and liberty.
Though the outburst was sudden and
unexpected, yet men of observation could see
that crisis, yea a crash, must sooner or later
come. The time drew near and according
to the unmistakablc indications of Provi-
dence, Chief Magistrate, found in humble
life, was raised to the highest position in the
gift of the people. His nature and principles
were repugnant to oppression, and his name
but another word for liberty; yet sworn to
defend the Constitution, and a man of
honor, no less than humility, in this there
was not the shadow of a cause for the bloody
resort. The corruption of the government,
the wickedness of the foe, and the idol to
which they did homage, only became the
more apparent by the course they adopted.
The South, like Satan, previous to expulsion
from heaven, dared to lock shields with the
Almighty, and in defiance of God and man,
perpetuate to the end of time the nations
curse, and overthrow government the
best under heaven and to them the vcriest
bcnefactor. But evil shall not stand it was
too much the imprisoned fires clamored for
deliverance; the frowniug heavens bent
heavily upon us; the tocsin of battle was
sounded, the nation shook for fear the long
prayed for time had come when right should
triumph over right. God Almighty swung
back the gates of hell and out burst the
flames of war; the sceptre of slavery is
broken and the nations mighty curse is
swept from the face of the earth.
Now revolution commences, the fate of a
mighty nation hangs on the decision of the
sword, terrible, but the last and only re-
sort.
Nor are we who are assembled here to. day
accountable for this dread scene of blood
through which we have most triumphanuy
passed. 1t was an event long desired by
the South, and was projected long before
abolitionism was thought of. 1t is indeed
most astounding to hear that arbitrator
Jefferson Davis, appeal to the civilized world
and affirm, that the war and the conse-
quences oe it, are not to be attributed to the
South. | need not ask this audience who
waged the war. Who with rebel lip and
sword, bid defiance to the powers that be,
and are ordained of God? But the day is
too late to discuss this question. Whatever
the South may think, all the world knows
that their position was of their own choosing,
and out the unavoidable result of their
armed resitance to law and government.
They closed us in, to the issue of govern
ment or no government. From absolute
necessity we accepted the issue, the great
question must be decided, and for its ac-
complishment the brave died and the nation
wept.
And though the shock of battle took US
by surprise, and when wholly unprepared
to meet the foe, yet who does not to-day re-
call the sublime uprising of Americas sons
and their willingness to peril all for the ma
tion's life, with exultant pride and JOY 1t
was but necessary to call, and the response
was given. ... ... .#. ..I.-
God gave US men to fight our battles.
welcome some of their faces here to-day, and
regard as sacred the memory OF those who
fell by their sides, and over whose dust We
would rear monument, to peSpetuate to
generations, yet unborn, their noble death
and deeds. r-. r-.- -tEgr
History, in her impartial record, has al
ready given their names place high on the
scroll Of fame. We now speak of them as
we once spoke of Hamilton, Jefferson and
Washington. Many are dead, but the angel
of liberty is the bright vigil of their sleep
ing dust. Viewing them as they once stood
il embattlcd ranks, we may venture the as
sertion, that nobler and Drawer set of men
never trod any soil or any deck. They
were taken from all classes of society, and
| well did they vindicate tEeir claim to the
nations gratitude.
They were true to the cause, patient in
suffering, heroic in battle, shrinking from
no danger, yielding to no encouragement
and never proposing to lay down their arms
till the flag of the Union ioated in undispu,
ted triumph over the entire land.
Most ungrateful the nation that would
not revere the memory of such men. q
Many things in connection with this con
fct tend to raise the character and immor
| talize the life and memory of our soldiers