The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-10-24
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CHARLESTON, KANAWHK COUNTY, ISisT VA, MEDNES
u The following impressive pledge, whereby
those ostracis3ed 3 loyal Southern citizens CON,
secrated themselves anew TO their great work,

those ostracised loyal. Southern citizens CON.
secrated themselves anew TO their great work,
was then slowly read by Col Branscombe:
standing at, tho tomb of tho -illnstrious
dead, recalling bis sublime words, This heroic
virtue, his iiunswerins fidelity .to9the great
trusts committed to; him by tho American
people, VIC hero mako new conservation Of
our lives our fortunes, and our sacred honors,
to tho service Of our country, and, with ,un-
covered heads and uplilted bands, Solcn,nly
resolve. with the help ofAlmighty God, TINT
We will never surrender the contest with
despotic power, until tn? fell spirit. Of robel.
lion shall 10 utterly crushed, until the right
Of free speech shall bo maintained on cyOry
inch Of American SOIL and all men arc cStaG.
lishel in tho full possession, Of those ualicna:
bic rights which God hus given, and to secure
and protect which is the object OF all good
governments" .'".a.. d.. "a t.''|
At the words, with uncovered heads and
upliftcd hands," tho I.oyulists removed their
hats and raised their right hands. The entire
audience then kncclcd, and DR.. Newman
gave uttcrancc to deeply impressive prayer,
from which VIC make the following extract:
From Thy bcnignant throne, Supreme
Ruler: Of tho Universe, hear us now for our
common country; pity our intestine broils ;
forgive the ficrcencss Of party strife, and pour
tho spirit Of love and harmony on Nll the
land. Deliver our President from tho errors
into which he has fallen, and save the nation
from the ruinous results Of his misguided
policy. May he become. wisc, temperate,
yirtuous, gentle, patriotic ruler, whose admin
istration shall rest in truth, justice and mer.
cy. May he fear Thco, and heed tho voice Of
the people, who arc higher than he. May hc
minglc Justice with mercy in the punishment
Of treason; may hc be tho honest and truth
ful guardian OF thosc whom his predecessor
rescued from bondage (; may he separate HIM
self from tho bad ,nen whose wicked counscls
have brought US to tho brink OF ruin and
may ho return to his first love, and TO the
support Of those principles from which he has
dcpartci: Restrain him from desperate
measures in tho day Of his disappointment,
that hc may not plague tho land again into
civil war, but muy he quietly submit to tho
will Of the people, whose servant hc il. hc-
ccpt our hearty thanks, great God, for the
wisdom, courage, and stcadlilstncSs which
Thou hast vouchsnfcd to our National Con.
grcss, to resist usurpation in high places; to
maintain their own prcrosativcs, and to so
lcgisatc as to secure the rights Of NIL citizens.
How inadequate our words to express the
profound gratitude Of our hearts for those
wise and true men who arc now the hope Of
our nation. Stand by Thy servants in Con.
gress assembled, neither disnaycd by lenrs
nor dshcartcncd by dangers. May they
maintain tlivir integrity, wisely leSiSla,c for
tho preservation Of tho Republic, and protect
those helpless millions whose guardians they
arc. Arise, 0 Lord! in this tremendous
hour, and arouse tho American people to their
support. Inspire them with sense Of jus.
tcc may they realize their dangers, and dis-
charge their duties may they rise superior
to prejudice and caste, and recognize the COM
mon brotherhood Of mankind; grant that the
press Of our land may bc honest in its convlc-
tonS, temperate in its spirit, and healthful in
its powerful influence; grant that the Amer.
ican Church may be an example to the nation
in whatever is just, mcrciful and noble. On
this day ne praise Thee Tor the glad tidings
which greet Us, and for the renewed assur-
ancc TINT tho people arc for freedom and
loyal Government.
And now, Divine Father. We, Thy servants
assembled, look to Thee for Thy Heavenly
bcncdiction. Forgive our sins, ovcrru!e our
errors, impIant within us the hope Of inmor-
taity; take ns into sweet fellowship with
Thyself and may We find the redemption Of
our souls in Christ ReSnrl Thy servants In
great compassion. Thou knowcst the trials
VI their iaith, through which they have pass
cd; the pcrils which they encountered for
remaining f.ithful to liberty and loyal 10 their
Government, and " Thee arc known tho
OWLS which await them. o Heavenly Friend
md Guide, be Thou their defense. and in
their ,listnrt homes deliver them from tho
violence Of their enemies, md Thine.
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