Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-07-19

Camden, COWpenS ana 10rktown, put Will
simply remark that the glorious faith de-
clared was proudly and grandly won up
on the battle-f field.
The articles of Confederation not meet.
ing the wants and demands Of the nation
the Federal constitution was adopted
This grand instrument is the embodi.
ment of the principles of the Declaration
the eternal antagonism of every specie:
Of oppression, and the bulwark of our lib.
critics. 1t was a stupendous monument
OF the wisdom, patriotism and sagacity oi
its renowned trainers, and had it been
administered in its true and glorious spir.
it, this would long since have been in
deed a nation Of freemen.
Animated with our glorious faith and
glowing patriotism, we rode triumphantly
over storm-tossed billows. and attained a
proud and distinguished position among
the nations.
But while We were making vast mate.
rial advancement, growing learned, rich
and powerful, a canker was gnawing al
our national vitality. BY practical dc.
Nal OF our nations faith, we were prepar-
ing for our recent passage through ter
rible baptism Of blood and fire. As O
nation we were practically infidel to the
great principles Of eternal justice and
freedom. While we declared unceasne
hostility to every species of tyranny, made
the bold assertions that all men are crea.
ted free and equal, and thundered these
declarations in the ears of all nations
until the earth rang again, we held in
absolute bondage millions of American
citizens, expended blood and treasure for
the extension and dominion of the blight
ing curse, mortgaged this land of Bibles
aud sanctuaries to the hydra headed mon
ster of human chattleship. We convert
ed our free soil into hunting ground for
the baying blood hound and his assimia-
ted but infinitely more loathsome and
degraded companions-Southcrn kidnap-
pers, and their Northern accomplices.
Not an inch Of soil, not even upon Bum
ker Hill, nor upon the graves of our
Revolutionary sires, but what was mort
gagged to slavery. The clanking chains,
the shrieks and wailings of our country
men, mingled with our exulting shouts
OF freedom and songs of Christian wor-
ship. For this We were doomed to re-
ceiye terrible but just retribution. The
portcntious storm cloud hung in our DO
litieol frmanent, threatening by the dis
charge Of its accumulated thunders, to
quench in hopeless darkness the watch
tres of liberty kendled by our Revolu.
tionary fathers. Wars red curling fires
spread frightful glare over the land; his
earthquake tread conyulsed the nation.
Christendom was bristled with piercing
bayonets, aud armies were spreading dis
may and desolation wherever they moved.
Thousands thirsied for the life-blood of
the nation, aud for the complete destruc.
lion Of this grand old Temple Of Freedom
reared by the sages and patriots Of the
Revolution. The tyrants OF the old world
would have rejoiced at our national de
struetion. Hoary despots rcjoiced over
the decension Of the Grecian Republic
when she fell prey to Macedon, to Rome
aud the Turk-over tho Roman Republic,
when she merged into an oppressive En- &.
pire--oyer the republic of Italy, when
they fell under the yoae of dukes, grand.
dukes and marquiseS; aud over struggling
France, when she failed to established 70
publicanism. But had we failed ia our
sublime experiment Of solf-government, q
grand jubilant song of triumph would
have swelled up from the worlds conled
Grated despots, aud despotism encouraged
by the new trophy wouli have sat more
calmly and firmly upon his ebon throne
hoping to sway his iron sceptre over uni.
yersal humanity.
But we rejoice this day that our Repub.
lie has not been thus destroyed. When
the rebellion came upon US, and our pa
triotic millions saw our national defences
surrendered our revenues collected by
traitors; Fort Sumpter reduced to a
wreck, and our own glorious star. spangIed
banner, representing all the ideas aud
sentiments involved 10 the struggle of
seventy six" bow to the Palmetto flag
of traitors, then il was seen that the love
of freedom was slumbering in the North,
as the thunder in the cloud. When the
callsto arms was made, there was an i'm.
mediate, spontaneous and overwhelming
response from all parties and from the
cities, villages and hamlets Of every free
state in the union. The grey haired sire
aud the stripping youth came forth eager
for the peril
"Leaping from slumber to the Hght
For Freedom and for chartered Right"
When our brave freemen saw uarper's
Ferry, Norfolk Navy Yard with eight
ships Of war, two thousand cannon. and
national property worth more than eight
million dollars, in possession of rebels, to
be used against our nations life, they re.
solved to crush the consummated wrong.
With brave and noble hearts, with th,
dear old banne floating over their heads
reminding them Of all the glorious achieve
ments of the past, and the bright glorie
Of the future, they took an oath to stan,
for freedom and the right. While we will
hold In sacred memory, aud venerate tn
patriots and sages Of the revolution, frou
whom we havo received our glorious patri
mony of civil and religious liberty, we will
as sacredly cherish the memory Of tn
brave men, who, in order to preserve tn
faith ofour fathers, to maintain our gran,
aud glorious Government, to establish tn
everlasting idea of freedom, and to Civ
the world greater liberty, sacrificed th
pleasures Of home and offered themselve
upon their country's altar. Those dauntles
men, before whom the armies of the chival
rous South vanished as did tho hosts Q
Senacherib before the sword of tho destroy
ing angel, shall receive the honor ofcomin
generations.
Y Thousands Of these brave defender
sleep beneath the green sod, aud join nc
10 day in the nations Jubilee. But stil