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

/ all sense of humanity and flaming in the
rage of fends, because of their want of sue
cess, they shot down our pickets, fred into
our hospitals, bayonetted our wounded
Utterly regardless of the laws of war, they
violated the flag OF truce, robbed our pri
soners, stripped them of all comfort, tor
tured them by exposure to cold, filth and
vermin, and then deliberately starved them
to death. They mut;atcd the bodies of the
dead, violated their graves, made trinkets OF
their bones, wore them as ornaments, trans
mitted them as keepsakes, and preserved
them as Dementoes of their so called chival-
rous deeds.
The pages of history are examined in vain
to find examples of meanness and lnfamy.
of cruelty and barbarity, comparable with
those endured by our soldiers at the hands
of Southern rebels; yet how willingly and
patiently they bore these cruelties, rather
than fling contempt on the glorious banner
under which they fought, by consenting to
the oath of the Confederacy, they preferred
to die, thus giving the world grand ex-
ample of'devotion to country and love of
liberty. Indeed is it fitting that we are here
today, to applaud the virtues of the living
and honor the memory of the dead.
But the cause in which they died exats
them above all similar martyrs that have
preceded them.
Whatever of su5limlty attends the char
riot of war, characterized the conflict through
which we have passed, when viewed from
the victorious side.
1t was war in the behalf of which the
Throne of Grace could be and was success
fully besieged, q war in which Heaven had
part, and in which angels were interested
In the thunder of our cannon and the flash
of our steel, the power of Omnipotonce was
felt. Gods justice flashed amid the smoke
OF battle, and our ranks moved forward
with more than human power, and prevailed
The cause involved not only the universal
spread of liberty, but the better preparation
OF the way for the triumph of the cross, and
the speedy reign of Him whose right it is to
reign.
1t scattered the darkness and permitted
the glorious light of the Gospel to beam
upon the unclaimed understanding of the
African. to whom, in many cases, it had
before been denied. 1t rolled prophecy into
history, in that it brought about that time,
long since predicted, when Ethiopia shall
stretch out her hands unto God.
am not competent to say how gloriously
God will make this bloody struggle subserve
the interests Of that Kingdom, to rise, when
F" No war, nor battle sound
Is heard the earth around
Such is the cause in which these illustri-
Gus dead fell. When death, under such cir
cumstances, must come, happy those who
are thus privileged to die.
An American mother, as well as q Spartan.
may be proud OF the son whose death. bed
was the altar of liberty. Bright martyrs of
the nation-rest in peace. and palsied be the
tongue that would dare profune your mem
ory, beautifully green with Immortality
To die in such cause should exalt the name
OF the hunIhlcst private; and lead every true
American 10 regard thdir dust as sacred,
and their deeds as immortal. But there is
still another consideration that should lead
US to acquiesce with our whole heart in the
proceedings of this day. 1t is the prospe-
rous condition and the sublime position
that has attended the nations triumph.
Contrary to the prophecies of many at
home and abroad the nation has survived
the shock.
At times we thought the mad waves
would enguf her, without sympathy abroad,
and never to be forgotten dissention at home,
the prospect sometimes was clad in gloom /:
the national sky was dark; the loud muttcr-
ing thunders of revenge were heard; at
times the nation stood in silent awe; men
prayed and wept lest the tide of battle would
sweep US TO ruin.
Never can we forget the peril through
which the nation passed This occasion
calls to mind the thunGer-cloud of destruc-
tion which time and again threatened to
overwhelm our homes and country in one
common ruin; of the great feebieness to
which the cause of loyalty, freedom
and humanity, had been reduced; and
the almost miraculous delverancc which
was vouchsafed Think of the gigan-
tic proportions, far reaching influence, and
subtle sophistries of that long organizing
movement, which must be forever known as
treason and rebellion; think how, in the
midst of discouragements and disasters on
land and sea, the contest for the majesty of
law, national unity and equal rights was
maintained, until rebellion was defeated in
its disorganizing aims, disrobed of its pride
and usurpations, and bereft of its ill-directed
power; think of the thousands over whose
remains America, proud of her brave sons,
rears monuments of remembrance. Grasp the
whole bloody struggle, and comparing re-
sources with those of the foe and the other
nations Cf the earth then ask-where does
our nation stand to-day, and to whom Go
we owe her lofty position under God most?
What a sublime spectacle we present to
the nations of the earth--how far we tower
above all others Crowned heads once
smiled sneeringly upon our humility; now
thrones tremble, and crowns blush for
shame; the nation has destroyed its vilest
stain and greatest curse, and Heavens be-
nignant smile is her blessed reward her
great motto Liberty and Union, one ana
Iseperabie," nailed to her flagstaff, and wo,
ven with its emblematic colors, is the signal
of hope to the oppressed of every land
Liberty is her great gift to every nation
tribe and tongue.
Her protection is offered to all who fly
from tyranny and oppression, while in Tur
key after it had been promised, it could
only be granted to Kossuth and his com
patriots, on condition of renouncing theil
religion, and denying their Saviour and
God. Here liberty is enjoyed in its wides
sense; while to strike for it in Poland
brought the lion, tiger and bear-Russia
Austria and Prussia, ,-furiously upon her
who tore her to pieces, and glutted them
selves or her flesh.
To strike for liberty in Hungary, anC
maintain that stroke against the imbecil'
House of Hapsburg, brought down upon it
champions the barbarous hordes of the Ne
roic despot Nicholas, who, uniting his al
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