The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1867-01-22

INVASION OF our beloved SUilte seated utI HoIe
closely to the cause of freedom
The result of the battle of Gettysburg broke
the power of the rebellion, and although the
final issue was delayed, it was inevitable from
the date of that great event. That battle res
cued all the other free States; and when the
arch of victory was completed by Sherman 5
successful advance from the sea, so that the two
conquerors could shake hands over the two
fields that closed the war, the soldiers Of Penn
isylvania were equal sharers IN the glorious con-
summation.
\ No people in the worlds history have ever
been saved from so incalculable calamity, and
no people have ever had such cause for graft
tude towards their defenders.
! And here | cannot refrain from an express
! ion of regret that the General Government has
not taken any steps to infct the proper penal
ties of the Constitution and laws upon The lead
ers of those who rudely and ferocously inva-
ded the ever sacred soil of our State.
1t is certainly a morbid cemency, and a CEN
surabe forbearance, which fail to punish the
greatest crimes "kuown to the laws of civilized
nations;'' and may not the hope be reasonably
Indulged, that the Fedral authorities will cease
to extend unmerted mercy to those who inau-
| gurated the rebellion and controlled the move
ments of its armes2 If this be done treason will
be "rendered odious," and it will be distinctly
proclaimed, on the pages OF our future history,
that no attempt can be made with impunity to
destroy our Republican form of government
SOLDIERS ORPHANS;
! And while we would remember "the soldier
who has borne the battle,' we must not forget
"his widow and his orphan children'' Among
our most solemn obligations is the maintenance
OF the INDECENT widows, and the support and
education of the orphan children, of those noble
men who fell in defense of the Union. To af-
! =, /, - $50
who have been rendered homeless and father
! less, by their parents patriotic devotion to the
country, is a truth to which all mankind will
| yield ready assent and though we cannot
call the dead to life, it is privilege as well as
duty, to take the orphan by the hand, and be
to him a protector and father.
Legislative appropriations have honored the
I liv NC soldiers, and entOmbed tie dead. The
people at the ballOt-box, have sought out the
mertOrious veterans, and the meritorIous spec
tacle is now presented of the youthful survivors
of those who fell for their country, cherished
and educated at the public expense. Even if
were differently constituted, my official duties
would constrain me vigtlantly to guard this
sacred trust. But having served III the same
cause, and been honored by the highest marks
OF public favor | pledge myselfto bear IN mind
the njunctions and wishes of the people, and if
possible to increase the efficiency and multiply
the benefits of the schools and institutions, al
ready so creditablv established, for the benefit
of the orphans of our martyred heroes.
FREEDOM AND SLAVERY.
The infatuatiOn of treason, the dcwnfall of
/ slavery, the vindication oftreedom and the COM
| plete triumph of the government of the people
are all so many proofs Of the divinity that has
! shaped our ends" and given so many promises
/ of future crowned with success if we are only
true to our mission. Six years ago the specta-
Gle Of four millions of slaves, increasing steadily
both their own numbers and the pride and the
material and political power of their masters,
presented problem 50 appalling, that states
men contemplated it with undlsguised alarm,
and the moralist with shame. To-day these
/ four Millions no longer slaves but lreemen,
h hlying IntermedIately proved their humanity
towards their oppressOrs, their hdelIty to socI-
ETY., and their loyalty to the government, are
and are rapidly preparing TO assume their rights
as citizens of the United States Notwithstand
ing this unparalleled change was only Y effected
after an awful expenditure of blood and treas
ure, It's consummaton may we'll be cited as the
sublimest proof of the fitness of the American
people to administer the government according
to the pledges of the Declaration Of lndepend
ence.
We have but to estimate where human sla-
Z
course of another generation, to realize the
force of this commanding truth. And lis we
dwell upon the dangers we have escaped, we
may the better understand what Jefferson
meant when, in the comparative infancy of hu-
man slavery, he exclaimed, al trembe for my
country when | reflect that God is ust ~
A single glance at what must have been our
fate had slavery been permitted to increase will
be sufficient In 1860 the slave population
Z
nine hunired and tifty-three thousand seven
hundred and sixty Taking the Increase 1929
per cent from 1850 to 1860, as the basis ofcal-
culation for every ten years; in 1890, they would
have numbered at least upwards of nine mil
lions. What Christian statesman, as he thanks
God for the triumph Of the Union armf, does
not shudder at the terrible prospect presented
by these startling figures
But while there is cause for constant solici-
tude in the natural irritations produced by such
a conflict he is but a gloomy prophet who does
not anticipate that the agencies which accom-
plished these tremendous results, Will success
fully cope With aud put down all who attempt
" govern tho nation in the interests of defeated
ambition and vanquished treason.
The people ofthe conquering n orth and West
have comparatively little to Go but to complete
the good work: Ibeg Coaan7aad the position
The courage of the soldier and the sagacitY Of
lne SIll' Sllltl, WORKING ,lld\e IOW
sealed and confirmed the victory, and nothing
more Is required but faithful adherence to tlr
doctrines which have achieved such marvellous
results
EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE.
The overthrow of the rebellion has changed
the whole system of Southern society, and pro-
portionately affected other interests and sec
tons Demanding the enlightenment of mill
lions long beuighted, it forces upon the North
and West the consideration of more perfect
and pervading educational policy.
Much as we have boasted, and have reason to !
boast. of our common schools, we cannot deny, |
when we compare them with those of New Eng
land, and contrast them with the preparations
for the education of the Southern people of al
classes, that we have rlueh to overcome, If VI Q
would equal the one, or stimulate the otbe~
The reeert convention cf County Schn5l Super;
intAndants Of PENNSYLVANIA exhibits some start 4