St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-08-24
Patriotic Resolutions.

The Junior Order of United American
Mechanics recently passed the following
resolutions, which are published at this
time by request:
Whereas. Our brothers have enlisted as SOL
diers of the United States and have been
ready to go to the front in the cause OF lid
erty;
Therefore, We, the members of Gen. Logan
Council. No. 20. ]. o. U. A. NJ. would put on
record our high appreciation of their noble
and patriotic action.
1t was to be expected that the call to arms
would be heartily responded to by many
members of this order, the primal aim of
which is to kindle In the bosom those high
and holy impulses essential to good and loyal
citizenship in land like ours, But many OF
us were prohibited by age and other infirm
ties of the flesh from going to the tented
field. All the more we and do admire
and applaud the noble spirit of those who
were able and willing thus to stand In the
breach
This war Is peculiarly fitted to appeal to
the heart of the Junior Mechanic. 1t is not
waged for glory or conquest, but Tor that
principle of home rule which we demand for
all the people of our own country, and which
we are glad to help in giving to those who
for centuries have been wasted by the hand
OF foreign oppression.
And then this war has for its aim the carry
ing of knowledge and virtue which are cardi-
nal principles in our order to those who have
never known them in their fulness and power.
How consonant with the lesson so often
learned in the council chamber, that: The
sovereignty of man and the nobility OF citi-
zenship can only be maintained if founded on
the basis of the wisdom and virtue of those
1t is designed to govern" How agreeable to
those thus taught to help open the doors Of
education to those who have long sat in
darkness, oppressed by that ignorance which
fosters vice and which has so often been the
cause OF the downfall of nations as well as
individuals.
Then this war Is aimed to carry the blessir gs
Of civil liberty to a much oppressed people.
This touches again one OF our cardinal prin-
ciples. How many times we have heard the
words Liberty both civil and religious is
a priceless boon" and how well we know
the truth of this I'm addition to the privi-
lege of selecting our own rulers and posses
sions within ourselves the eligibility to oc-
cupy the highest position our country's gift,
we also enjoy the liberty of worshipng God
according to the dictates of our own con-
Sciences"
Our forefathers freely shed their blood and
pledged their lives, their fortunes and their
sacred honors to secure for us this boom"
and we, ourselves, have promised to carry
the banner Of freedom into every cline and
unto ever, tongue" Brothers in virtue and
liberty, how In harmony with the lessons of
the council chamber is the brave work you
are now doing on the bloody field.
Then this is war OF patriotism This is
indeed cardinal principle, Of our order;
Americans. We are proud of our country
and jealous of its every interest To it's de-
fence we have pledged our lives, our fortunes
and our sacred honor This war indeed Is
not in defence of our territory, but it is in
defence of the noble principles which underlie
our national life and principles are dearer
to us than territorial boundaries. There
fore this war awakens patriotic love, which
Is among the nob1est enthusasms that ever
stirs the human breast. And then its direct
result Is to strengthen and aggrandize our
noble country. 1t has unified 1t, until there
Is no East, no West, no North, no South. 1t
has shown its matchless resources its cour-
age and manly strength in battle. both on
land and sea, its benevolence and magnanim.
ity to it's conquered foe. These high quail.
ties OF manhood and best elements of national
greatness, it has brought out in such way
as to greatly enhance the glory and power of
America among the nations Of the earth.
Henceforth her name shall be terror to ty.
rants when they seek to Cypress the children
Of men,"
Brothers, how consonant with the high
principles Of our beloved order is your work
upon the battlefield. We hail you, who have
wrought for such high ends. We love you
and pray for you, that the God of battle may
keep you in all peril, and bring you safely to
us again, that as In days gone by In the
peaceful councils of our order we may learn
yet deeper lessons Of virtue and liberty and
patriotism.
Resolved That the names OF the brothers.
who are now In the army be inscribed on the
records, with C. py Of this resolution. and
copy of the same be forwarded to our broth
ers in camp.