The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-03-14
The OLD UNION.

! Iue Oiu OulOn .
Have you ever reflected on the beau.
ties OF that simple structure of civil
government that hath passed away like
the baseiess fabric Of vision
Have you ever contemplated the fair
proportion Of that temple Of freedom,
now crumbled to the dust through the
corruption of the priests of the sanctuary
Have you ever formed an adequate
conception OF tho benefits conferred on
humanity by that highest triumph of
mans genius, that broa dest effort of
mans philanthropy-the Old Union 2
Have you ever realized the controlling
influence exercised among the nations
of the ealth by that original creation OF
American liberty-the Old Union
Not alone was it blessing to the
dwcllers beneath its starry @gis.
Not alone was it home for the wea-
ry and oppressed, who fled from the
iron heel of tyranny, or from anarchy's
dread blight. .." #1
Not alone was it the peculiar home
and province of earth's unfortunates,
who gathered to worship beneath its
protection.
Nat alone to these, but by the magic
of its name and the Influence of its
lofty craftsmanship it exertcd an ameli-
Grating influence on the condition Of
those whose homes were on other conti-
nents, whose destinies were linked with
other climes.
To the dwellers by the Rhine, the
Danube and the Po; on the sunny
plains of India, and the vine. clad hills of
Italy to those who dwell where the
fairy isles of the Pacific sleep upon their
coral beds, to the toiling Asiatic, as
well as to the ambitious European, the
name of America was Synonymous with
the name of Liberty.
The Old Union was the gift of the
Creator to the human family-it was
the luminary from which the rays of
Liberty were to permeate to the remot-
est regions of the globe.
With the fall of this majestic struc-
ture came the deep wailing from the
myriad crushed hearts of Columbia's
children, who were mangled and torn
by its dying convulsions.
But they who went down amid the
din and shock OF contending armies =
they who died in the serried ranks of
war they whose requiems were sang
by the Kissing bullets; they who were
ushered into eternity from the red
fields of strife-they we're not as deeply
to be pitied as many who survived them.
Ask of the thinly clad widow, shiver-
ing over the freless CRATE, vainly trying
to warm her perishiBg babe-ask her
why is she thus reduced to want and
misery? ...". -...
Ask of the homeless orphan, implor-
ing for shelter from the mighty blast,
and mouthful of food to sustain ex-
hausted nature. "a
Ask of the manned soldier, striving
|
20 exc out scanty subsistence from the
grudging charity Of the purse'proud
parUenues, whose Haunting robes we're
purchased by trafficing in his blood
ask Of these stricken ones, why they are
reduced to this pitiablo nece8Sity-and
they will tell you it is because of the
dreadful war that has compassed the
destruction of that more than human
edihce, the Old Union. .gr .. ..
The Union of love.
The Union of mutual respect and
confidence.
The Union cemented by the blood of
pure patriots, and sanctioned.by the ap.
proval of incorruptible statesmen.
The Union that was based on the af-
fections of the people. - ri"
The Union that was canonized in the
hearts of all the friends of liberty.
The Union that was the grandest
practical illustration of the great truths
Of Democracy.
The Union that was discovered and
destroyed by the fell spirit Of Radicalism.
The Union that was prostrated by the
iron hand Of mil itary power,
The Union that was established bv
the Conservative, and destroyed by the
Puritan.
Democrats, freemen, is not the re.
establishment of the Union as it was an
undertaking worthy of your noblest
efforts
Can there be any sacrifice too great,
any Offering too costly, any price too
eXOrbitant for tho resuso;tot;or n a.