Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-07-17
PHERDSTOWN JEFFERSON COUNTY VIRGINIA. SATURDAY JULY O
FORNEY AND HANCOCK.

The REASON THE EDITOR OF "PRo-
GREss" GIVES FOR HIS SUPPORT OF THE
DRxocRArlc TIckEr.-In the last issue
of the Progress, published in Philadel'
phia, its editor, Mr.. John w. Forney,
for twenty years stalwart republican,
gives his reasons as follows for support
ing General Hancock for the. presiden-
cy'-
"There are many deathless days in
the American memory; among them the
attack upon the American flag in
Charleston harbor on the 18th Of April,
1861; the battle of Gettysburg on the
lst 2nd::and 3rd days of July. 1868; the
tall of Richmond on the 9th Of April,
1865, and the assiuation Of Abraham
Lincoln on the l4th day Of April, 1865.
No days in human history ever aroused
more agonizing solicitude, or closed
upon more gigantic transactions, or
opened wider vista of human possibll-
tiles. Each OF these events had a strange
and almost providential meaning. Each
possessed the peculiar quality OF con-
quering 10 an instant millions Of preju-
dices. The ball fred at the old flag
from Charleston consolidated the North
and struck down human slavery. The
victory at Gettysburg saved the second
great city OF the Union from the flames.
The fall of Richmond was the certain
rise of the republic, and the death OF
Lincoln consecrated his great mission OF
forgiveness TO all. When We come TO
notice the annals of our civil war,these
four events, with the emancipation OF
the slaves on the first day of January,
1868, will be to the historian like so
many planets shedding light on all 9th
er objects aud marshaling the way to
the final lesson and duty of the patriot.
Each was a revolution in itself, affecting
the remotest interests and leaving all
men in q new condition of thought and
determination.
"But none Of these tragedies wrought
deeper sensation or gave birth TO n
more lasting gratitude than the battle
of Gettysburg, 1868. Here, at least, is
one of those occurrences that cannot
easily be forgotten. The human raceis
prone 10 forget. One philosopher says
that ingratitude is the badge of all our
tribe; but like all maxims it is best prov
ed by the exceptions. In this instance
we cannot if we would, and thank God,
we would not if we could, blot out what
that defeat of the Confederates did for
the city of Philadelphia. Happily it is
not so long ago as TO have faded out OF
our minds. 1t is only seventeen years
since, and 1t was day of such sharp
agony and such universal terror, and the
victory was such an unspeakable relief,
that even the children now grown 10
men and women think of it as grateful
ly as the middle aged and the grand
mothers and grandfathers. 1t was the
single Instance in which the fiery blast
of war came close to great Northern
metropolis The Coufederates advanced
in tremendous force. Led by their be-
loved Gen. Lee and by his chosen lieu
tenants, they seemed resolved to make
last stand in the rich valleys Of Frank
lin and Adams, choosing, as if by in.
stinct, the regions called after two OF
the most precious names in American
history. Grant was engaged at the same
moment winding his fatal coils around
the Southern city of Vicksburg; but
the point most vital TO all that supreme
moment was the field Of Gettysburg.
"What Philadelphian can ever forget
the suspense of those July daysf There
was not household that did not throb
aud thrill between hope and fear. There
were over one hundred thousand men,
thousands of them from Philadelphia
and the neighboring towns, and there
was not family that did not tremble
for its loved ones engaged in that fatal
strife, or that did not shudder at the ad-
vance of the foe who seemed so near, or
that did not fancy in that advance the
loss of the holy cause of the Union.
"On the morning of the Fourth OF
July, 1868, | was at the Union League,
then on Chestnut street, near Eleventh,
Philadelphia, in the massive bu l1ing
now occupied by the family of the be-
loved Mathew Baldwin. The rooms
and gardens, of the lovely mansion were
filled to oyerfowing with pale, anxious
meu; the streets were full Of silent,
waiting crowd; the sidewalks and win
dows were crowded with women; even
children were awed into silence as their
elders discussed in whisper the posi-
bilities OF the dreadful fight in the green
valleys of the Cumberland. Reynolds
had been killed OIL the 2nd Of July,
along with thousands of otherp, and his
brother James L., came down from
Lancaster, iu this State, bowed down
with sorrow at the sacrifice, and hum
ble women were sobbing over the dis
patches already recording their losses.
1t was day Of tears and despair. l
had been present at other scenes Of sor-
row, but nothing like tnis Fourth of
July, 1868. The commandant of this
department was Gen. j. A. J. Dana, and
his Office was in Girard street, near
Twelfth, and held position as a con-
sulting member of his staff About noon
of that Saturday ! saw his tall form
crossing Chesnut street 10 the League,
and when his eye caught mine / saw he
was in tears. lie handed me dispatch
from Gen. Meade, just received. Iopen'
ed and tried 10 read it, but could not.
/ saw enough to feel that we were saved.
And soon the good news became uni
verssl. Then all hearts exploded with
Joy over the deIiverance. 1t was won