The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-05-11
(rrom u. ch,e.so Tribune.

rFrom IL Chicago Tribune.
Letter from, Chriseian Parents TO . Young
Volunteer.
The following letter bears upon Its face am
pie evidence that it was not intended for pubii-
cation, yet our readers win thank US for having
obtained permission to give it place in our col
umns 1t breathes spirit of patriotic love OF
country, and Of sslfsacri6ce for that country.
the exhibition Of which on every side charac-
terizes the holy war upon which we have now
entered, and without an appreciation OF which
the history of this war can never be written
A war not of conquest or national aggrandize-
ment, kindled by no ambition Of rulers or peo-
pie, but waged in behalf Of the sacred shrine
of Liberty. This letter embodies the sentiment
and the utterances that are spontaneously COM
ing up from Christian homes and Christian pa
rents throughout the loyal States:
k, April 23d, 1861.
DEAR W.-Your two letters, one yesterday
and the other to-day, are open before US ana
have been read and re-read Your mother dare
not venture upon the task OF answering you
upon the momentous question before us, ana
throws the weighty responsibility upon me, not
God are less than mine, but looking out upon
the future and anticipating fearful results, her
motherly heart shrinks from the. contemplation
of being instrumental in advising to that course
which her heart conceiyss love of God and OF
country dictate in this the hour of peril When
| the Union was first assailed, you remember
| raised the Stars and Stripes in token OF my de-
votion to that Union and my country, and each
successive day of the onset against that country
| and that Union has inspired ne with more cour-
age, more devotion to her welfare, prosperity
and safety, and have said, what have is my
country's when her need demands it. The hour
of that need has come, and shall shrink from
| the sacrifice Neyer have spoken IN pubic
| meetings as close to the point as / am writing,
and my views are perfectly understood upon the
| great issue before US, SO that if had even
falterinq thought could rot, l would not, change
nv purpose but, thank God, have never a
doubt as to my duty, and knoacing. dare to per-
form, it,
The reading of your letters cannot for mo.
ment mislead us in relation to your views Of
your duty to your country as inspired by tha'
religion which makes heroes of its professors in
both the private and public walks of life. His
! tory has never recorded such men as traitors O,
co,carfs No nerer viii. Your sister Jennie
| has forsaken all for Christ. She has gone from
the land of Bibles and freedom, perhaps mar
tyr to the cause of truth. Shall we, as parents
be less wiling e conseerate you to the cause
of freedom, inspired by that truths trust not
while 'n God is our trust" Thus, my dear son
in the strength which God suppliess, we renew.
edy dictate You to the cause of our imper!led
country, to till such position as sha best serve
in its highest interests and in such office as viii
most ameliorate the condition of your wounded
and dying comrades, should you be accepted as
worthy member Of that most beneUohe1t corps
| To aid you in this as your parents, as Chris
tians and patriots, we recommend you to the
consideration of those who compose the leaders
and officers Of the commemorate movement
That your character, your decision, your ener
", are every way equal to the devolving dutes
Of the campaign we do not doubt.
Thus dear William, we give you to our coun
try The God of the Christian shield you, lsra
els God be your defence. The blessing OF pa
rents and prayers of the church follow yoe
through the perilops fight, "And the Star
| Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave," sc.
Pray often and much for yourself your coun
try and home. That the work may be short, thu
victory won, our country free, is the prayer o
your afectionate
E.rurp AM MoTuEp