American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-01-23

Legislative appropriations have hon
ored the living soldiers, and entombed the
dead. The people, at the ballot-box
have sought out the merisorious veterans,
aad the noble spectacle IS now presented
of the youthful survivors Of those who
fell for their county, cherished and edu>
Gated at the public expense. Even if l
were differently constituted my official
duties would coustrain me vigilantiy 70
guard this sacred trust But having
served in the same cause, and been hons
ored by the highest marks of public fa-
vor, pledge myself to bear in mind the
injunctions and wishes of the people, and
if possible to increase the efficiency and
multiply the benefits Of the schools and
institutions, already SO ereditably estab,
lished, for the benefit Of the orphans of
our martyred heroes
FREEDOM AND SLAVERY.
The iniatuatiou of treason the down.
fall of slavery, Il vindication of freedom,
and the complete triumph of the govera-
ment of the people, are all so many proofs
of the "Diyinity thai has shaped our
ends" and so many promises of future
crowned with success if we are only true
to our mission. Six years ago the spec
tacle of four millions of slaves, increasing
steadily both their own numbers and the
pride and the material and political power
of their masters, presented problcin 30
appalling, that statesWen contemplated it
with undisguised alarm, and the moralist
with shame. Today these four millions,
no longer slaves, but frcemcn, having in.
termcdiately proved their humanity to-
wards their oppressors. their fidelity to
aocioty. and their loyalty to the govern
ment. are peacefully incorporated into the
body polite, and are rapidly preparing to
assume their rights as citizens of the
United States Notwithstanding this un.
paralleled change was only effected after
an awful expenditure of blood and treas.
ure, its consummation may we'll be c ted
as the sublimcst proof of the fitness of
the American people to administer the
government according 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 Of this commanding
truth. And as we dwell upon the dan.
gers we have escaped, we may the better
understand what Jefferson meant when,
in the comparative infancy of human q a
very he exclaimed, II 'tremble for my
country when | reflect that God is just !"
A simple glance at what must have
been our fate had slavery been permitted
to increase will be sufficient, In 1860
the slaye population amoihted, in exact
numbers, to three millions nine hundred
and fifty three thousand seven hundred
aud sixty Taking the increase, % 80
per cent. from 1850 to 1860, as the ba-
sis of calculation for every ten years, in
1900, they would have numbered at least
upwards of nine millions. What Chris
tian statesman as he thanks God for the
triumph of the Union arms, does not
shudder at the terrible prospect presented
by these startling figures
But while there is cause for constant
solcitude iu the natural irritations pros
duced by such conflict, he is but n
gloomy prophet who does not anticipate
that the agencies which accomplished
these tremendous results, successfully
cope with and put down all who attempt
to govern the nation in the interests of
defeated ambition and vanquishcd trea-
sou.
The people of the conqucring North
and West have comparatively little to do
but to complete the good work. They
command the position. The courage of
the soldier and the sagacity of the states
man, working harmoniously, have now
sealed and confirmed the victory, and
nothing more is required but faithful
adherence to the 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 proportionately affected 9th.
efintetests and sections. Demandidgthe
enlightenment Of millions, long benight.
ed, it forces upon the North aud West
the consideration of moro 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 England, and contrast
them with the preparations for the edu>
cat;on of tka Soptharn vaool. nc Ill