Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1867-01-23
differently constituted, my official duties
would const-ain ipe yigilantly to guard


would const.ain ,pe yigilantly to guard
this sacred trust. But having served in
the same cause, and been honored by the
highest marks Of public favor, pledge
myself to bear 10 mind the ;njunot:ons
and wishes Of the people, and if possible
TO increase the efficiency and multiply the
benefits Of the schools ard institutions,
already so creditably established, for the
benefit Of the orphans OF CT. martJfed
heroco.
FREEDOM ARD sLAVERg.
The infatua;ion Of treason, the down
Sall Of slavery, the vindication of freedom
and the complete triumph cf the govern
mont oc the people, are all SO many proofs
Of ;aa "Diviaity that has shaped our
ends, y and 30 many promises of future
crowned with success i we are only true
to our mission. Six years ago the spec
tac.e Of four millons of slaves, inc-eas-
Ing steadily both their own numbers and
the pride and the material and political
power Of their masters, presented prob
lem SO appalling, the statesman contem-
plated it with andisguised alarm, and the
, lao, 4ijst with shame To-day these four
millions, 10 !oagcr slaves, but Ireenen,
/ having ;aterme-liateiy proved their hu-
ulanity towards the.r oppressc.5, ihoir
fidelity to society, and their loyalty to the
government, are peacefully incorporated
into ;he body police, and are rapidly pre-
plrag to assume their rights as citizens
Of the United States. Notwithstanding
! this unparalleled change was only effected
alter az awful expenditure Of b!ool and
treasure, its communication may we'll be
: cited as the sublimest proof OF the fitness
, Of tie American people to administer the
goTerneelt 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 dangers w
have escaped, We may the better under
stand Th.t Jefferson meant when, in the
ccmplgiti.a inG.acy Of human slavery, he
exclaimed, II tre;nble for my country
when | reflect that God is just"
AsimYle glance at what must have been
our fate h2d slavery been permitted TO in
crease will be sufficient In 1860 the slave
population amounted, in exact numbers, to
three millions nine hundred and fifty
! three thousand seven hundred and sixty
Taking the increase, 1888 per cent, from
1850 70 1860, as the basis OF calculation
fox every ten years, ia 1900, they would
have hundred at least upwards of nine
millions. What Christian statesman, as
he thanks God for the triumph of the
Union arms, does lot shudder at the ter.
rible prospect presented BY these startling
figures?
Bu. while there IS cause for constant
sOlicitude in natural irritations produced
by such conflict, lie is but gloomy prophet
who does not anticipate that the agencies
which accomplished these tremendous re-
suits, will successfully cope with and put
down all who attempt to govern the nation
in the Interests Of defeated ambition and
vanquished treason.
IKE people Of the conquering North
and West have comparatively little to do
but to complete the good work. Ghey
consmand tie position. The courage Of
the soldier and the sagacity of the states
man, working tremendously, have row
sealed aud confirmed the victory, and
nothing more ia required but a faithful ad-
heTance to the doctrines which have
achieved such marvellous results.
TIE NATIONAL SITUATION.
We are contessedly in transition state
L IS marvellous how prejudice has perish
cd in the furnace of var, ard hog, from
the very ashes OF cid hatreds and old par
ties, the truth rises purified and triumph
ant. The contest between the Executive
and Congress twice elected BY su5stan.
italy the same suhrages, a contest to an
omalouS in cur experience as no. to have
been anticipated BY the trainers of the
National Constitution, has only served to
develop the remarkable energies Of our
people, and TO strengthen them for future
conflicts. That contest S virtually de-
decid.
The victorious forces, physical and
moral, of patriotic millions, are simply
Fausing before they perfect the work Of
reconstruction. Twenty-six States have
not only been sa7ed fro:n the confagra-
tioa Of war, but have been orystalized in
the saving. The unrsstored ten, still dis
affected and defiant, seem be Providenti-
ally delaying thoir return to the Union,
SO that when they re-eator upon its obH- /
cations and lis blessings they viii be the
better able to fuial the one and enjoy the
other. Their condition is . fearful warn
ins to men and nations, and especially to
ourselves.
UEtill slavery fell We did not fully un-
derstard the value Of Republican ;ns:itu-
,ions. Accustomed to tolerate. and in .
many cases to defend slavery, we did not
feel that its close proximity, so far from
assisting, was gradually destroying our
liberties; and it was only when rebellion
tore away the mask, that we saw the hide