The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-07-20
FoRNEY ON HANCOCK.
The Reasons of the Veteran Repub.
lican for Supporting Hancock.

The Reasons Of the Veteran Repub-
lican for Supporting Hancock.
The Debt Pennsylvania Owes the
Hero OF Gettysburg.
Forney's Progress of July 8.
There are many deathless days in the
American memory; among them the at
tack upon the American flag in Charles
ton harbor on the 18th of April, 1871
the battle OF Gettysburg on the let, I'd
and 81 days of July, 1868 the fall of
Richmond en- the 9th of April, 1865; and
the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
on the 14'h day of April, 1865. No
days in human history ever aroused a
more agonizing solictude or closed upon
more gigantic transactions or opened
wider vista of human possibilities. Each
of these events had strange and almost
providential meaning. Each possessed
the peculiar quality OF conquering in an
Instant million of preiudices. Tue ball
fred at the old flag from Charleston con-
solidated the North and struck down hu-
man slavery. The victory OF Gettys-
burg saved the second great city of the
Union from the flames. The fall OF
Richmond was the certain rise of the Re-
public, and the death Of Lincoln conse-
Grated his great mission Of forgiveness
to all. When We come to notice the an
nails of our civil war, these four events,
with the emancipation of the slaves on
the 1st of January, 1868, will be to the
historian like SO many planets shedding
light on all other objects and 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 new condition of
thought and self examination.
Bnt none of these tragedies wrought
deeper sensation or gave birth 10 a
more lasting gratitude than the battle Of
Gettysburg, 1868. Here at least is one
of those occurrences that cannot easily
be forgotten. The human race is prone
to forget. One philosopher says that in
gratitude is the badge of all our tribe; !;
but like all maxims it is best proved by
the exceptions. In this instance we can
not if we would, ard thank God, we
would not if we cuuld. blot out what the
defeat of the Confederates did for the
city of Philadelphia. Happily it is not
so long ago as 20 have faded out OF our
minds. 1t is only sixteen years since,
and it was day Of such sharp agony
and such universal terror, ,and the victory
vas such an unspeakable relief, that even
the children, now grown to be men and
women think of it as gratefully as the
the middle aged and the grandmothers
and grandfathers. 1t was the single in
stance in which the fiery blast Of war
came close to great northern metropo-
lis. The ,Contederates advanced in tire.
mendous force. Led by their beloved
Gen. Lee and his chosen ieutenants, they
seemed resolved to make last stand in
the rich valleys Of Franklin and Adams
choosing, as if by instinct, the regions
called after two OF the most precious
names in American history. Grant was
engaged at the moment winding his fatal
coils around the Southern city of Vicks.
burg; but the point most vital to all al
that supreme moment was the field al
! Gettysburg.
What Philadelphia can ever forget
the suspense of those July days2 There
was not household that did not throt
and thrill between hope and fear. There
we're over 100000 men, thousands oil
them from Philadelphia and the neigh.
boring to owns, and there was not family
that did not trenble for its loved ones
engaged in that fatal strife, or that did
not shudder at the advance OF the foe
who seemed so near, or that did not fan.
cy in that advance the loss of the holy
cause of the Union.
On the morning of the 4th Of July
1853, was at the Union League, ther
on Chestnut street near Eleventh, Phia
delphia, in the massive building now
occupied by the family of the beloved
Matthew Baldwin. The rooms and gar
den of the lovely mansion were filled te
overfowing with pale, anxious men; th.
streets were full of silent waiting crowd
the sidewalks and windows were crow
ded with women; even the children wer,
awed into silence as their elders discussed
| in whispers the possibilities Of the dread
full fight in the green valleys Of tn,
Cumberland. Reynolds had been k;llet
on the End of July, along with thousand
OF others. and his brother, James L
came from Lancaster, in this State, bowet
down with terror at the sacrifice, ant
; humble women we're sobbing over tn
n dispatches already recording their los
ses. 1t was day of tears and despair
I had been present at other scenes o
sorrow, but nothing like this All o
July, 1868. The commandant of thi
department was General N. j. T. Dana
J and his Office was in Girard street nea
Twelfth, and I held position as con
sulting member ofhis staff About nool
, of that Saturday l saw his tall form
: crossing Chestnut street to the League
, and when his eve caught mine saw b
, was in tears. He handed me dispatc
from General Meade, just received.
| opened and tried to read but could moi
i saw enough to feel that we were saved
And soon the good news became uni
versal. Then all hearts exploded wit
10y over the deliyerance. It was
wonderful sight that sudden change fror
grief to gratitude. Some shed tears
some shouted in joy, old foes becam
q sIfriends, and even inidels Joined in th
spontaneous prayers of the preacher.
: Robert BrowniDg's thrilling poem del
cribing the men who carried the "goo
news to Ghent," which broke the siee
r and filed the souls of the Flemish wit
!; a deep thanksgiving to God, might hay
> ), been paraphrased in honor OF the me-
= senger who brought such happiness
Oppressed and terrified and despairin
!, Philadelphia.
y Who won that great battle2 WI
/ saved Philadelphia from fire aud spoil
|. Who drove back the enemy and save
a US from fate of which the burning
= Chambershurg and Carlisle and the fo
ced contributions upon York were il
tended to be grim preparations?
1t brave army Of patriotic citizens led /
s three Pennsylvania generals.- Geors
:, Gordon Meade of Pniladeluhia. .Jof