Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1867-01-16

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would recover all his losses, and establish
a resistless prestige in the old world. But
thanks to Divine Providence, and to the
enduring bravery of our citizen soldiers,
the invasion of our beloved State sealed
her more closely to the cause of freedom.
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 COM
nIctpd Hy Shernlan's successful advance
rom the sea, so that the two conquerorS
could shake hands over the two fields that
closed the war, the soldiers of PennSylva-
nj, wore cquaI sharers in the glorious con-
summation. ..
No people in the worlds history have
ever been saved from so incalculable a
calamity, and no people have ever had
such cause for gratitude towards their de-
tenders.
And here / cannot refrain from an eX-
preston of regret that the General Gov
ernment has not taken any steps to infiict
the proper penalties of the Constitution
and laws upon the leaders Of those who
rudeiy and ferociously invaded the ever
sacred soil Of our State.
1t is certainly a morbid clemency, and
Il ceusurabe forbearance, which fail to
punish the greatest crimes "knOWn 10 the
laws Of civilized nations;n and may not
the hope be reasonably INDUCED, that the
Federal authorities will cease TO extend
unmerited mercy to those who Inaugural
ted the rebellion and controlled the move
ments of its armies? If this be done,
treason aUM 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 Re
publican 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 Oh
legations is the maintenance of the indi-
gent widows, and the support and educa-
ton of the orphan children ofthOse noble
men who fell in defense of the Union. To
affirm that we owe debt of gratitude to
those who have been rendered homeless
and fathcrless, by their parents patriotic
devotion to the country, is Il truth to which
all mankind will yield "A ready assent; and
though we cannot call the dead to life, it
is Il privilege, as we'll as Il duty, to take the
orphan by the hand, and be to him Il pro-
tect0r and a father.
LegislatiVeappropri have hOnOred
theliving soldiers, and entOmbed the dead.
The people, at the ballOt-boX, have sought
out the mefitOriOuS veterans, and the no.
blcspectaclei is now presented of the youth
full survivors Of those who fell for their
country, cherished and educated at the
public expense. Even if | were different
~ constituted, my official duties would
c0nstrain me vigilantly guard thissacred
trust. But having served in the same
cause, and been hOnored by the highest
| nlAI.ra ,,rsaif q,
bear in mind the iniunctiOns and wishes
of the people, and if possible to increase
the efficiency and multiply the benefits Of
the schools and institutions, already SO
crcditably established, for the benefit of
the orphans OF our martyred heroes.
FREEDOM AND SLAVERY.
The infatuation or treason the downfall
of slavery, the vindication of freedom and
the complete triumph of the government
of the people, are all so many proofs oft
"Diviuity that has shaped our ends, - and
SO many promises ofa future crowned with
success if we are only true to our mission.
Six years ago the spe ,.tacle of four millions
OF slaves, increasing steadily both their
own numbers and the pride and the mate
rial and political power of their masters,
presented a problem 50 appalling, that
statesmen contemplated it with undis-
guiscd alarm, and the moTalist with shame.
To-day these four millions, no longer
slaves, but trCemCn, having intermediates
ly proved their humanity towards their
opprcssors, their fidelity TO society. and
their loyalty to the government are peace
fully incorporated into the body polite
and are rapidly preparing to assume their
rights as citizens of the United States
Notwithstanding this unparalleled change
was only effected after an awful cXpendi-
turc Of blood and treasure, its consumma-
ton may well be cited as the subIimeSt
proof Of the fitness of the American uea-
pie TO administer the government accord
ing to the pledges of the Declaration OF
Independence.
We have but to estimate where human
slavery would have carried our country
in the course of another generation, to
realize the force Ofthis commanding truth.
And as we dwell upon the dangers we
have escaped, we may the better under
stand what Jefferson meant when, in the
comparative infancy of human slavery,
he exclaimed, Il trcmbIe for my country
when reflect that God is just"
\ simple glance at what must have been
our fate had slavery been permitted to i'll
crease Will be sufficient. In 1850 the slave
population amounted, in exact numbers,
to three millions nine hundred and fifty
three thousand seven hundred and sixty.
Taking the increase, 1883 per cent, from
1850 to 1860, rs the basis Of calculation for
every ten years, in 1900, they would have
numbered at least upwards of nine mil
lions. What Christian statesman. as he
thanks God for the triumph of the Union
arms, does not shudder at the terrible
prospect presented by these startling fig
ures?
But while there is cause for constant
soiicitude in the natural irritations pro-
duced by such a conflict, he is but "a gloomy
prophet who does not anticipate that the
agencies which accomplished these tre
Inendous results, will uccessfullycopewitl
and put down all who attempt TO govern
the nation in the interests of defeated am
bition and vanquished treason.
The people of the conquering Nortf