The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-22

What L. Peace s-Sunday Reflections.
Ii would Be utterly impossible to say any thing
upon the blessings OF peace, or in depreciation OF
the incacuable miseries of war, which would not be
trite and commonplace. All, perhaps that be said
upon this subject has been already said a thousand
times, and repeated over and over again. And yet.
notwithstanding, peace is indeed blessing, and
hardly too much be said in its fayor-hardy TOO
much can be done for its preservation.
Wise nations, wise even ourselves have been
plunged into long and vexatlous wars, which have
weakened, crippled, and, eventually, ruined them.
There might be such an inextricable ENHANCEMENT
of circumstances, such provoking and complicated
course of events, that, with every desire to maintain
peace, yet we might be driven into war, and find
ourselves almost against our will involved In all Its
horrors, its blood its cruelty, its injustice, and
Its devastation. If, then, as wise nations as our
selves have unnecessarily and rashy been partci-
patofy in the horrid deeds OF war-lf circumstances
beyond all our control might have provoked and
hurried us into war-whom have 10 thank for
the inappreciabe and never duly appreciated bless
ing OF continuing peace, but that great and Al
mighty Power who alone controls the events
and circumstances OF nations and individuals,
and directs the hearts and minds of all people He
wills 7 We have, indeed, as a nation, great cause
TO acknowledge His power in our behalf, and 10 be
thankful TO Him for and unseen, known and
unknown services, and for preservation in peace
and wonderful prosperity hitherto. When Washing
ton led cur dispiried and little armies; when an
overwhelming enemy has been ready to sweep away,
apparently, our lost and forom hope, how often
has lie interposed, and suddenly we might ssy,
mlraculously, raised mist. as in one casa
sudden food, as in another-whlch saved our lit
tie patriotic band from destruction, and baffled the
well-laid plans and almost certain hopes OF our
enemy.
II, In the present crisis OF our affairs, when war,
with all its evils appeared TO be nevitableif. at
such time, the general mind has been dis
posed to a peaceful and harmonious course,
has been inclined TO receive or propose con-
oessions which will avert the dernier resort TO
havoc and bloodshed-if, in such vibrating and
doubtful posture OF affairs, circumstances have all
been caused to yield, and bend, and modify them
selves TO a complexion favorable to the conserva
ton of peace-we say again, whom should we
thank but the Al-wise Ruler and Disposer of all
events, whose kind and watchtu care over us, has
been, We believe, again s,gnslly manifested to-
wards us, in this eventful juncure He has raised
up our naton-He has kept il and preserved it-He
has carried II by his blessing, to enviable height
OF greatness and prosperity; and may He not only
continue TO do 30, but may we also increase and
continue in acknowledging gratefully, and compre-
hending wisely His goodness
Yet in the face of all this, our rights must be |
ma ntalned at all hazards National honor must be
preserved involabe. If need be, we will fight, and
desperately, too.