Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-02-20
CIVIL w Ar.

In the United States, between two great
oceans, the Atlantic and Pacific, great
Gulf and great Lakes, on soil consecralcd
to freedom, with great men and magnif-
cent women, holding out their arms to
greet all mankind rs brethren, noaght
should be heard but the winsome notes Of
the dove with the olive branch of peace in
her mouth, But America is doomed to
magnificent storms that come down over
the mountains and sweep over the plains.
Electric currents play eccentric games
amid thunder and lightning Of such sur
passing sutlimity ss to overpower the
magician and his enchanlments. The
forces generated by natures batteries here
cannot e measured by horse power. On
such ihea,er the God Of nations is work
ing out problems of social order and
teaching mankind lessons concerning tho
benefcence and supremacy of law. All
lhs way from Bunker Hill TO Yorktown,
from Bull Run to Gettysburg and Peters,
burg, the cradle OF liberty has been rocked
in the storm OF civil and foreign wars.
The Toe fees before freedoms banners with
slow steps. in sullen mood, and returns
to the fray with the old lime madness.
We thought, we hoped, we prayed that the
storm with its thunder and lightning might
be past. Its cSsi, not so much that we
cared for, the gold and the silver, not so
much what we could weep on ponderous
scales, but that kind of baptism which
makes the most rrolane things sacred, that
sort Of wealth which the heart estimates
The republic has had no respite. All along
from the war OF The American Revolution
10 the Great Rebellion, up TO the present
time, we have heard the distant firing and
seen the flash Of the rebels guns. Not
alone Warren and Hale and Terry and
Lovejoy and Lincoln and Chi4holm and
Sumner, IN the long, unbroken line Of the
| Apostolic succession of patriots, have been
snitten down and laid as sacrifices on The
alter OF freedom. Patriots are groaning,
being in bondage to-day. Neither in The
civil war that Is al this moment going on
confined by Masoh's and DIxon's line. The
rebel cry il, "on 10 Washington" South
ern brigadiers, Ia both houses OF Congress,
laud JEFF, Davis, That head and fore front
Ol the Southern Confederacy; that arch.
traitor Is lauded on The loor of The House.
Loyal men and patriots are insnltrd To
their face. The chosen leaders Of traitors
are aboni TO take possession nf the highest
trusts Of the nation. Mcclellan is invited
TO review The troops manhalled In honor
OF the coming inauguration, made super
laiively splendid by n military irill aud
cheers for rebel victory. We recall the
prophecy Of Bob Toomim. "Ws will read
tli- roll Of our slaves at the loot Of Bun
ker Hill Monument" Genile render, do
yon say all this caDnst be7 That, Ms of
old, when McClellan's troops were dying
by hundreds ON The Swamps before Rich
p'ond, "All 10 quiet on the Potumac." All
dear friends. you forget that slavery and
liberty are two opposite poles, M highly
charged asihe batteries OF heaven and hell.
II you wonld test these twoopposle forces,
go South. attempt to enforce the consiiiu-
iion OF the United States, put one hand
upon the Southern Confederacy, bring liz
erty and slavery together. there would be
an instant shock and sudden blaze which
your mortal eyes might not see. But can.
not civil war be ay0idedY Yea. Let the
natien bepopie slaves, or let slavery die
The only cBre for tyraDiS IL gun powder
and dynamite, and snongh of II. Men
must hear the old war cry, "Give me lib
ery or give me DEATH" l..