Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-10-09

the battle field, many are inclined to think
that great change must have taken place
in their minds--that they must have laid
aside the benign precepts Of love, forbear-
ance and christian charity to all, and that
henceforth, nothing but luminosity and re-
lentless strife must aetuate them in their
treatment of the enemies of our country.
But sir, may not this be the very time to
bring their christianity and It's benign pre-
cepts into action, and that WAR under
christian influences, may become purifying
and eleyating-bring forth all the finer
feelings of our nature.
War, like all great connections, calls
forth what is in us, and gives an opportu
nifty for the exercise of our evil passions.
If we are vindicitive and cruelty inclined,
war will give a field for the more intense
action Of these evil passions, which have
their root in hatred. But if We are benev-
olent and kindly ia ouf disposition, it viii
excite the tender sylnpathies Of our nature,
and every calamity Which falls upon our
foes viii cali forth our compassion. Hence,
there are many who cannot reconcile the
pure precepts Of christianity with the pas
sions. Strife and hatred engendeFed by
war; and are in doubt as to tie justiiable-
ness even Of this war, and yet in these try
ing times they feel it to be Of great impor-
lance to have clear conceptions Of their duty
and feel DESTROYS Of doing il, when once it
is made clear and plain unto them.
We think in this case, as well as in all
others, the only source of information viii
be found in the divine teachings, where We
have instructions on every possible state
and condition of human life. 1t must be
no narrow or restricted view which we take
of the divine word but comprehensive
one, otherwise, we viii meet only with
stone of Stumbling; for we find that the
words "Lct him that hath no sword sell
his garment and buy one,' was spoken by
the same divine lips which said to Peter,
"Put up thy sword into the sheath, for all
they that take the sword shall perish with
the sword" From these and other state
ments we learn that there is time for oc-
tee resistance and also time for patient
forbearance; and we should remember that
while our Lord was upon the earth He not
only suffered with forbearance, but he act
ed when necessary, and that 100 on the
aggressive. Thus, we have in him both
example and precept, for an active as well
as a passive course of action. Viewed In
this broad light, we can see that there are
occasions when christians may fight, and
we need have no difficulty even in war to
obey aud carry out the divine command,
to "Loye our enemies, bless them that
curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefllly use
YOU and persecute YOU These must be
The principles by which we govern all our
actions, euen when nothing else as left as
bit aoqr, for it Il the end or object in view
which determines the qualities Of all our
actions.
War is the most solemn and awful
calamity that can come upon people, and
should never be entered upon, except under
the most dire necessity, and then the sword
should be consecrated with prayer and
used only for good As when the Lord
drove the polluters Of the temple out Of its
holy precincts-not in anger, not in re-
yenge, but in the intensity Of love for the
house Of God, which engrossed all his
thoughts. So when the holy temple of
liberty is threatened and the citidel of a
nations life polluted with treachery, rob-
berry and blood, we may and should rise
up as one man, not in anger but in sorrow !;
not in revenge, but in protection; not in
hatred, but in love; love for county and
nationality; love for human happiness, and
human liberty. The zeal for our nations
good may 50 engross US, that in the mo-
ment of action nothing will be thought of
but how to deal the hardest blows and sub
due all its foes; and we will contend With
the deadlest weapons, that the conflict
may be the sooner ended. But the mo-
ment of triumph must be the moment Of
mercy; the enemy once in on, paws, the
sword must be sheafhed and the only way
then to destroy our enemies is to make
them our friends; we will so to the death
for freedom and the maintenance of our
national existence, but beyond this let US
have no revenge, no needless spiing of
blood. and thus we viii save our own souls
from guilt and secure the blessing Of the
Almighty. Some people talk about hang
ing traitors, Just as they would talk about
hanging dog, but these people know not
what manner Of spirit they are Of.
In the present conflict we hear much of
the violence and hatred Of the people Of
the South towards the North, but we
know that it is one Of the curses OF slavery
to engender spirit Of cruelty and revenge
ID the hearts Of those engaged IN It; we
should not thsrefore bs sarprissl 1T Their
blood-tAiisty disposition. But as yet or
hands are free from cold-blooded slaughter;
may they continue to be free.
The present administration Las nohly
carried ont the mild an,a pacific character
Of our government. Hot-headed po'lti-
clans in this country aud in Europe arc
tauuting our rulers with their forbearance
and her slowness to punish offenders. Il
IS even said that oar government dare not
hang a traitor; we hope this i SO, for L
would prove how far our people baFe adj
yancea from the barbarism Of other ma
lions. and that we as a nation areso Inbucd
I. .,,,,..xx f4Stss<ss.. sa,tnnf