Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-01-19

ment has not taken any steps to inHict thepro- |
per penalties of the Constitution and laws
upon the leaders Of those who rudely and
ferociously invaded the ever sacred soil OF
our State.
It is certaisly morbid clemency, and
censurable forbearance, which fail to punish
the greatest crimes "known to the laws OF
civilized nations % and may not the hope
be reasonably indulged, that the Federal
authorities will cease to extend unmeritea
mercy to those who inaugurated the reoel-
lion and controlled the movements OF its
armies If this be done, treason wiH be
"repdered odious," and it will be distinctly
proclaimed, on the pages of our future his
tory. that no attempt can be made with i'm.
punity to destroy our Republican form of
government.
SOLDIERS ORPHANS.
And while we would remember "the SOL
| dier who has borne the BATTLE" we must
| not forget "his widow and his orphan
| children" Among our most solemn obliga-
| tions is the maintenance of the INDECENT
widows, and the support and education Of
\ the orphan children, of those noble men
who fell in defence of the Union. To affirm
that we owe a debt of gratitude to those
who have been rendered homeless and fa-
therless, by their parents patriotic devotion
to the country, is truth to which all man
kind will yield ready assent; and though
we cannot call the dead to life, it is pri-
viege, as well as duty, to take the orphan
by the hand, and be to him protector and
father.
Legislative appropriations have honored
the living soldiers, aud entombed the dead.
The people, at the ballot-box, have sought
| mi IN mr. artf fCr nd thA pahla
spectacle is now presented of the youthful
survivors of those who fell for their country,
cherished and educated at the public ex-
pense. Even if were differently constitu-
ted, my official duties would constrain me
vigilantly to guard this sacred trust. But
having served in tue same cause, and been
honored by the highest marks of public
favor, plcdg myself to bear in mind the
injunctions and wishes of the people, and if
possible to increase the efficiency and multi
ply the benefits of the schools and inst!tu-
tions, already SO crcditably established, for
the benefit of the orphans of our martyred
heroes.
FREEDOM AND SLAVERY.
The infatuation of treason, the downfall
,, of slavery, the vindcation of freedom and
the complete triumph of the government oi
the people, are all SO many proofs OF the
/, |
80 many promises of a future crowned with
success if we arc only true to our mission
Six years ago the spectacle of four million:
, of slaves, increasing steadily both their owr
numbers and the pride and the material ano
political power of their masters, presented
problem SO appalling, that statesmen con
u tempated it with undisguised alarm, ant
y the moralst with shame. To-day these fou
: millions, no louger slaves, but freemen, hav
ing intermediately proved their humanit.
towards their oppressors, their fidelity t
= society and their loyalty to the gov
= ernment, are peacefully Incorporated int
: the body polite, and are rapidly pre-
Z pairing to assume their rights as citizens o
. the United States. Notwithstanding thi
y unparalleled change was only effected atte
an awful expenditure of blood and treasure
s its consummation may well be cited as tn
y sublmest proof of the fitness of the Ameri
Il can people to administer the government ae
= cording to the pledges OF the Declaration G
y Independence.
'r We have but to estimate where huma
7 slavery would have carried our country, j
o the course of another generation, to realiz
e the force of this commanding truth. An
Is as we dwell upon the dangers we have G.
&c capped, we may tie better understand whs
J. Jefferson meant when, in the comparativ
infancy of human slavery, he exclaimed, u
,. >. tremble for my country when reflect tha
rt God is just !'
l. A simple glance at what must have bee
,e our fate had slavery been permitted to il
T. crease will be sufficient. In 1860 the slay
81 population amounted in exact numbers,
~ three millions nine hundred and tfty-thrC
ie thousand seven hundred and sixty. Takin
le the increase, 1880 per cent, from 1850 t
D. 1850, as the basis oi calculation for every te
"a years, in 1900, they would have numbere
" ut least upwards of nine millions, Whi
CT Christian statesman, as he thanks God f,
n the triumph of the Union arms, does nj
re shudder at the terrible prospect presente
u by these startling figures
Ar But while there is cause for constant sol
OF citude in the natural irritations produced
such conflict, lie is but gloomy proph
u, who does not anticipate that the agcnci
d. which accomplished these tremendous r
ed suits, will successfully cope with and p,
'o down oil who attempt to govern the matte
ue in the interests of defeated ambition oil
ia yanquished treason.
"a TIE people of the conquering North al
10 West have comparatively little to do but
in complete the good work. They comma
cir the position. The courage of the soldier al
&c the sagacity of the statesman, working h;
oi monlOuSly, nave now sealed ana conhrm
lse the victory, and nothing more is requir
but faithful adherence to the doctrir
lat which have achieved such marvellous Iesul
St
el. EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE.
is The overthrow of the rebellion has char
lch ed the whole system of Southern socie
lie, and proportionately affected other intere
he and sections. Demanding the enlight,
The ment of millions, long benighted, it fore
nd upon the North and West the copsiderati
The OF a more perfect and peryading education
rn- policy.
en- Much as we have boosted, and have reas
eir to boast, of our common schools, we canr
deny, when We compare them with those
ler- New England, and contrast them with ,
on preparations for the education of the Son
,py ern people of all classes, that We have mt
eak to overcome, if we would equal the one,
ate stimulate the other. The recent convent
,m- of County School Superintendents OF Pei
sylvania exhibits some startling facts, VIII
syl- deserve the attention of the people and th
ita- representatives. Yet it is not by legislat