Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-06-05
CONTINUED FROM r1Rsr rAarJ

Almighty mas cnclTcleu IL rs q Snloid anu grid
ed 1t into the path of prosperity and increase.
Year after year has poured into its lap the
measure of its bounty-gen Grafton after genera
tion.has given up to it their talent, and genius
and energy--the Kingdoms Of the old world
have contributed their quota for its foundation,
and behold to-day its prosperity and future
promise. II is needless for me to recount the
history ofthe nation, its origin, struggles, de-
Velopment, rapid growth, its ultimate power
and grandeur. Men have loved to dwell upon
the subject orators have delighted to plan and
picture career, grander than the world had
ever seen.
Soyroignties, with all their hopings and i'm
aginings, saw their young republic tower above
them in grandeur and in strength and in this
prosperity they saw their doom fixed and ire
vocable, for God was marking out the pathway
of the Republic.
We ourselves became proud. lulled into fam
cied stability by our hitherto peaceful career
gorying in our wide possessions in our inn
mense cities, in our institutions of learning, in
our energetic strides OF advance. dragging the
rest Of the world at our heels-elated with ev-
erything American-saw in the future nothing
but prosperity and power. Our countrymen
were travelling all over the world. Our ships
whitened every sea. Nations were dependent
upon us for existence, and from this heaven
favored land flowed the life. current of the
world
But q painful crisis came upon this country.
Our nation was rocked to its center Peaceful
and glorious America trembled under the
mighty power of rebellion. Two fierce sections
were locked in deadly conflict, conflict worthy
the splendor of a Millions pen. The terrible
ings and distant thunder. Still with a fatality not
uncommon in prosperous people, the nation
needed not these warnings of almost certain
ruin. The gallant ship of State which had so
existence, was almost wrecked in the first fury
of the gale Her crew, thoughtless and mac
tive during the pleasant taskless voyage, be-
came stupid with terror, dsmay and disaster.
Many Christians on board were adjudged to be
lmpious in their lamentations and cries, saying
God has forsaken us" But there were mil
lions of brave, true and patriotic hearts that
could not beleve-wild as the tempest was
that the glories OF our fathers days, the grand
voices that sounded from the centuries of civ
ilized life in America, was but prelude to the
dirgc which humanity would chant over the
grave of ruined nation and lost hope. We
had counted the sad tidings which greved our
ears as the mournful notes which would lend
grandeur to that full anthem of praise, which
has bursted from the heart of n redeemed ma
ton, as they shout with one accord. Sing ye to
TO the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously.'
We remember full we'll the first burst
ing of sectional strife We remember.
with read the position of the Government
Nothing seemed possible to avert the direst ca
lamity from the best Government the world
had ever seen or the sun ever shone on. I'm
wonted signs and sounds were heard; common
thrill ran quivering through society. All, all
thronged the recruiting offices, willing, yea,
eager 10 enter tne -untrleu profession OF arms"
Amid this wild excitement, the beating of drums
and beating of hearts-ths flashing of bayon-
cts and flashing of eyes-the terrible deadliness
of the war game. was imperfectly realized. At
the call of their country patriots left their
homes and fresides, wives and children, with
one common purpose hurried to her defense
At every crossing they met--at every station
they Joined together.
The languid love of country which has slept
in the hours of peace, became the live thunder
of the awakened and indignant loyalty and
the people determined that while rebellion
threatened the Nation they would know moth
ing but I'M endangered country, and an insulted
flag. Soon the country trembled under the
mghtiest armies earths bosom ever bore.
Mighty in the Gray, Mighty in the Blue
Brave in the Gray, Brave in the Blue; Wrong
in the Gray, Right in the Blue.
All eyes were turned towards the hostile forces
in battle array, and as the time drew near
which was to decide the fate of millions. the
whole nation sent up to the God Of Nations,
armies. Crowds, eager and expectant hung
about the news Office men hurried and anx-
ious, asked each other, What's the news from
the Army Women. with their trustful, low
il g natures, hushed their beating hearts and
prayed that their husbands, brothers, and sons
might be spared them. Even children Quilted
their sports, and seemed embued with the COM
mon sympathy.
Battle after battle was fought, and in the
cities and towns the people thronged about the
offices. Every sound is hushed, ex-
cept the ominous click, as fresh intelligence
flashes over the wires, recording the fate of the
Union, as battle after battle wRs fought. Some
felt faint from very suspense.
Will the inheXible Grant, the brave Sheri-
dan triumph before Richmond2 Will the gall
liant Sherman's march TO the sea be successful ?
Soon voice in clarion notes arrest the attention
of the people. Victory, victory Lee and his
boys In gray have surrendered to Grant and
his brave boys in blue Every heart is thrilled.
Shout after shout went up from over-joyed
people. 1t was caught up in the streets, and
sent Cd, and on, through the Nation. Men
grasped each other by the hand and wept over
the glad tidngs Of a redeemed Nation. Mothers
clasped their children to their bosoms, and
poured out their fervent silent thanks TO the
Giver of nil good, for the priceless victory.
But while all were rejoicing, the news cane
again: Lincoln, the true, the honest, the pure
patriot was smitten down by the foul hand OF
an assassin. Men heard and doubted it it
could not be because they wished it not to be. |
Surely the next dispatch will bring better
news. Again the crowds gathered about the
nRws offices, watching and waiting, but only to |
find all confirmed. With saddened hearts slow |
" they dispersed-deep gloom overspread all |
No. need of questions to learn what was SO
plainly written on every 1untenance. He fell |
as hundreds of those brave boys in blue fell-a |
sacrifice to loyalty and devotion to his country
he sleeps in silence, one of the patriotic dead
Patriots who upto that time had not shed tear |
though they had witnessed the terrible carnage |
Of the battlefield, bowed their heads upon their
breasts and wept bitterly.
Who can portray the events that fol- !
lowed2 What tongue eloquent enough TO tell |
the deeds chronicled day after day n Ransack /
the pages of history search the records of ma |
lions, have recourse to fable, fiction poetry, |