Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1867-01-23
,oLUMBTA CO. PA, WEDNESDAY. JANUARY %. 1867. NE

just cause, and our citizens approving it with
degree of unanimity heretofore unknown,
in this or any other country, left their va
rious employments, their homes and all that
was dear to them, and fastened with enthu-
siasm to the scenes where duty and danger
called, and as the surest pledge of their uE-
swcrving love and fidelity to the Union, they
unhe sitat;ngly offered their lives for its pres
ervation. Nor was any other tribute with
held in providing the means necessary for
the support o. our fleets and armies. Near
| II two millions os soldiers entered the field
| from time to time on different terms Of en-
| listmen;. The citizens generally exhibited
the highest degree of patriotism in the
prompt payment of taxes, in their liberal
contributions in the shape of loans to the
Government; and the world was astonished
by the amount expended in their benevolent
care for the sick and wounded, through the
agencies of the Sanitary and Christian Com
missions and other charitable associations =
More than six hundred sanguinary battles
and skirmishes were fought, in which near
ly three hundred thousand Of our heroic de-
tenders laid down their lives in their devotion
to the nation-''for God and Liberty
In every phase of this terrible conflict,
Pennsylvania bore an honorable and conspic-
uous part. She contributed three hundred
and sirty-six thousand three hundred and
twenty-six volunteer soldiers to the rescue
of the nation and nearly every battlefield
has been moistened with the blood, and
whitened with the bones of her heroes To
them we owe our victories, unsurpassed in
bri.lianey and in the Importance Of their
consequences. To the dead-the thrice
honored dead-we are deeply indebted, for
without their services it is possible our cause
might not have been successful
1t is natural and eminently proper that
we, as people, should feel deep and last
ing interest in the present and future WEI
fare of the soldiers who have borne so dis
tinguished part in the great contest which
has resulted in the maintenance of the life,
honor, and prosperity of the nation. The
high claims of the private soldiers upon the
country arc universally acknowledged, and
the generous sentiment prevails that the
amplest care should be taken by the Gov
ernment to compensate them, equally and
generously, with bounties and pensions, for
their services and sacrifices.
desire that it may be distinctly under
stood that DO not speak of myself in con
ncction with this subject; but / am happy
to avail myself of this opportunity to speak
kind words of Pennsylvania gallant pri-
vate soldiers, and the noble officers who
commanded them.
The generosity OF the people of Pennsyl-
vania to the Union soldiers has been imitat-
ed, but not equaled, by other States. There
is something peculiar in the loyalty of Penn
sylvania. She seemed to feel, from the
first, as if upon her devolyed the setting of
superior example. The fact that she car
ried upon her standard the brightest jewel
of the Republic. that in her bosom was con-
ceived, and from her commercial capital was
issued, the Declaration of Independence,
gave to her contributions, in men and money,
and her unparalleled charitable organiza-
tions, all the dignity and force of model
for others to copy The rebel foe seemed to
feel that if he could strike a fatal blow at
Pennsylvania, he would recover all his losses,
and establish resistless prestige in the old
world But thanks to Divine Providence,
and to the enduring bravery of citizen sol
diers, the invasion of orr beloved State seal
e. her more closely to the cause of free
DOM
The result of the battle of Gettysburg
broke the power of the rebellion, and al !
though the final issue was delayed, it was
inevitable from the date of that great event. |
That battle rescued all the other free States; |
and when the arch of victory was completed |
by Shermans successful advance from the |
sea, so that the two conquerers could shake
hands over the two fields that closed the
war. the soldiers of Pennsylvania were equal |
sharers in the glorious consumation.
No people in the world history have ever
been saved from so incalculable calamity,
and no people have ever had such cause for
gratitude toward their defenders
And here / cannot refrain from an express
sion of regret that the General Government |
has not taken any steps to infict the proper
penalties of the Constitution and laws upon
the leaders of those who rudely and fero-
ciously invaded the ever sacred soil of our
State.
1t is certainly morbid clemency, and a
forbearance, which fail to punish
the greatest crimes ''known to the laws of |
civilized nations" and may not'tbe hope be
reasonably INDUCED that the Federal au-
thorities will cease to extend unnerited
mercy to those who inaugurated the REBEL
lou and controlled the movements of its ar
mics? If this be done, treason will be