Year: 1865

our poltlcal Importance VIII keep pace


with our population. The rebellion has
swept from our path the only obstacle to
our progress there was in it, Slavery not
only finds in it its quietus, but the pernic-


ious doctrine of State rights is also explo-
ded, and the pre-eminence of the Union es-


tablished. No demagogue in search of po-
litical power and impelled by personal
ambition, will ever again dare to talk of
State rights as a stepping stone to the pop


ular consideration. That heresy is dead
beyond the power of a thousand Calhouns
and Davis to galvanize into spasmodic life.
We are free from all southern heresies, we
are free in heart and life, in soul and body
By the blessing of God we are free.
Sound the loud timbrel, &c"


| And what shall we say of those men who
have taken their lives in their hands and
gone forth to stem this torrent of anarchy
and rebellion that others no better than
| they might live and die in peace? Oh,
here all language fails to express what
should be our gratitude to those noble pat
riots who barred their bosoms to the shafts
of battle, and said to an insolent foe,
strike here" They have conquered in a
mightier warfare than, till now, the world
has ever known. History has no parallel
to their deeds, for history has no page on
which is presented SO vast theatre for the
red legions of war to occupy. Such great
armies, such bloody battles, such impor-
tant interests suspended on the issue, have
not in modern times awakened the hopes
and fears of men.


And not only the rank and file of our
armies, but the leaders in this sanguniary
strife, should, through all time, be endeared
to our hearts by the liveliest emotions of
gratitude and love. Grant, Sherman, Sher-
idan, Thomas, and Meade, are names that
henceforth will take rank with the proudest
and most renowned of ancient and modern
war During the last and closing year,
each have enacted parts of general plan,
the consummate wisdom of which is now
seen in the result. No part of the great
circle which, in its slowly contracting pro-
gress was intended to crush the enemy in
it's centre, was left unclosed. The end
came--the great rebellion strangled and
smothered in the folds Of the Anaconda
gave up the ghost.


But what shall we do with Jefferson Da-
Wis if we catch him Some magnanimous
souls are already advocating his release
from all the pains and penalties of his trea
son. Here is a man whose single will has
occasioned the death of round half million
of innocent men some by battle, some by
fell disease, and great many by absolute
starvation in southern prisons. In the long
list of those who have cursed the earth by
their crimes and atrocities, who have cast
a reproach upon humanity and exhibited
the ferocity of demons, Jefferson Davis is
chief The slow murder of prisoners by
starvation was part of his cruel policy
to deplete our armies, and a thousand, yea
ten thousand northern wives and mothers
will execrate his name and memory for
ever


Treason is more reprehensible crime
than murder, because it reduces society to
chaos and anarchy, it overturns all law and
government, it lifts the hand of each man
against the throat of his fellow, and the
strongest bears sway over the weak Into
this black gulf the personal ambition Of
Jefferson Davis plunged this nation, and
although it has extracted itself from the
horrible pit yet it was his early, and late,
and persistent effort, to confne it there
All, save such a dark spirit from the scat
fold, whose hands are reeking in the blood
drawn from hearts that once beat with good
will to all men, with patriotism and love to
their race, love his sordid selfish soul
never felt, and could never know Save
Jefferson Davis from the gallows "angels
and ministers of grace defend u.s."


Mr.. REPoRTER-The following statement
was made in prayer meeting in Camp
Distribution, by Mr.. j. WooD, who is a
soldier in our army. 1t may interest at
least some of your readers. The young
soldier stepped out into the aisle and said


The prayer meeting is a most interest
ing place to me, and especially SO since
have been delivered in such remarkable
manner from the power of my enemies, for
think that none but God could have
granted me such delverance


"When the war first commenced, nv
father had warm friends in the South. and
being offered Generalship, he accepted it,
and wished me to accompany him, which l
refused to do. He threatened to disinherit
me, and told him loved my country bet.
ter than gold, and could not desert her in her
hour of peril, and | left home of opulence
pennyless wanderer, and joined the army
and went into the secret service of the
nj