The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12


turcd at Yorktown, and the United
States would not have become free
and Independent government, and Eng
land would have continued her oppres-
sive policy, to the worlds great detri-
ment.
Had it not been for the patriotism of
these northern states, Jefferson Davis
would have subjected this country to
the humiliation of a severed country.
State rights would have divided us into
as many petty governments as there
were states in the union. Republican
governments would have been pro-
nounced mob government, and union
of states farce. We should have been
the laughing stock of the world, and
the world would have gone backward
in civilization, in Illumination, and in
those pure principles which cnoblcs
mankind, and perfects true manhood.
a government based upon slavery, not
regarding the rights of others, stamping
out those innate principles in man that
all men were born free and equal, and
by rights ought to be free, could never
be at peace with its neighbors recog.
nizing these divine rights.
No two nations side by side could for
a moment live in harmony, based upon
such extreme principles, antagonizidg
each the other. The end would have
been war of subjugation.
Had it not been for such wide spread
patriotism among the people, we could
have had no country, no peace, nc
freedom, no justice.
1t was the blood of our fallen braves
that saved TO us our religious institu.
tons, or laws, our nation.
It was the courage and persistent eff
forts of our noble braves who perpetu.
ated our government.
Antictam, Corinth, Vicksburg and
Mobile tell us the character of the mcI
who went forth TO save their country
While the Wilderness, Cold Harbor
Gettysburgh, Spottsylvania, Chattano
ga and Nashville proved to the world
that no superior armies ever went fortl
to battle carrying Drawer hearts anC
: lives more consecrated to their coun
try's welfare.
No battles of any, or all, civilized
countries compare with these in theil
!, power Of endurance, their unyieldins
purposes % die rather than surrender
: to never know when they were whip
ped. Grounds taken and retaken; pc
sitions held under the murderous fire
of the enemy's guns, literally sweep
ing the ground with grape and canister
the numbers engaged; the numbers
: wounded and killed, all challenge Tx
world for greater display of bravery
and heroism.
II was the brave meeting the brave:
men who dared to think though Others
frowned; dared to stand for right, o.
dared to die.
Contrastif you please for momen
Getysburgh battle with that of that ia
nous battle of Waterloo. All know
whether Napoleon with his well disci
plined forces were brave or not. Ever.
one knows that Wellington was no
wanting in courage nor lacking IL
spirit or skill as commander. Witt
the best marshalled forces of all Europe
schooled in the use of arms by years Of
field service, exceeding that of our owl
army in numbers, and yet in twelve
hours Wellington gained victory owe
Bonaparte, and at the least calculation
there remained 10000 on either side Of
able bodied men, untouched by ball
bayonct or saber. Still the Frencl
army was demoralized, routed, ant
never recognized.
The loss of the combined armies wa
but 23,1S5, while that Of ours exceed
ed that number.
Lees loss was undoubtedly greater
but he withdrew from the battle field
recrossed the Potomac, crippled, bu
not demoralized. For three days thu
battle ragged with relentless fury.
One-fourth of Mead's army lay ar
ound him on the battle field, either
killed or wounded, exceeding that OF
, Wellington by large percentage.
Had we the statistics we should b.
able to show that no such battles have
been fought in modern times where thu
percentage of killed and wounded
eqhaled those of our late war, accord
ing to the numbers engaged. And ye
with courage they went forth again anC
again. a single brigade lost "a officer:
, and 793 men. Another mustered Oh
the morning of the battle,~ july lst
1868, $500 strong, and at rollcall July
4th they numbered S35.
l These are but solitary instances a
mong the many which we might men
ton did our time allow: instances
where almost the entire number were
cut off and slain, but would not suilcn
der. If it proves anything it proves
that the greater part of the soldiers
, were educated by principles far from
, sordid, principles which they hold TO b,
dearer than life.
They might fall, but these principle:
must be held above reproach. Theil
country's flag must be maintained o.
they had 10 country, and if no countr!
no home, no rights, nothing that pa
: triot's heart holds so dear TO itself
: Their sentiments were those of Barbara
: Freitehie, who, though surrounded b.
the disloyal of Maryland, was no
e afraid to display the stars and stripe
: from her attic window, and when Jack
! son marched through the streets wifi
: his impetuous followers, ordering Ii {,
be shot down, though the window wa
/ shivered, the banner rent and torn bj