Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-17

Every nation, to testaits capacity for
self existence, without which tits not wor-
thy of the name, must pass. successfully
through two great ordeals. The first is
the ordeal of its birth, the struggle by
which it deaches itself from the parent
nation, original dependency, and establish
es its iuchoate being, and becomes an inde-
pendent, though as yet an infant individu-
ality among the family of nations. This
! ordeal VIC passed in severing our connec-
tion with Great Britain. The actors in that
mighty struggle cover themselves with i'm
mortal glory. 1t was splendid success.
The infant that was born, by the blessing
OF God, was gifted with native vitality and
vfgor and the forces Of self development.
and it became youthful giant. They that
looked for redemption rejoiced in its birth
and growth, and kings and aristocrats
looked on with chagrin and envy II we
had failed in that struggle, we should have
been miserable abortion, fallen still-born
on the lap of history, and, "ifke an un-
timely birth, have never seen the sum
The enemy against whom we contended in
in that effort was from without, au out
ward, foreign foe, and our triumph estab-
.lished our distinct, individual existence as
a nation.
The second ordeal of national life is the
test of its power under God, of self-preser-
walton and prosperity. And this is a crisis
no less important thauthe first. 1t is the
Transition from youth and minority to ma
jority, when. as in the life of man, u ma
tion enters the arena of trial for self-sup-
port and vindicates its complete manhood.
Having gained an independent existence
in its natal struggle, it must next, in the
course of its history, pass the more criti-
tr,E aT,I
ting itself against inward antagonism, and
successfully defend its life from the fatal
forces of intestine decay and seditiou. 1t
must sustain itself against the internal
strife of domestic parties and the shock of
civil war. If it triumph in this, then esto
peyPstua is its appropriate motto. ltis
like the man who conquers himself, who
is greater than he who captures city
England and France have both passed these
Ordeals, and they stand like the everlast-
| ing mountains, which neither storms with
out nor volcanoes within can shake from
their firm foundations.
The second of these ordeals is the mo-
mentous and decisive crisis in which our
young Republic is now struggling, and the
| political philosophers and sayans OF Eu-
rope are looking upon the contest with
anxious and profound interest. trembling
with hope and misgiViug for the RESULT ny
Do we appreciate the issue? Are we sem
sible of It's magnitude2 Do our minds ad-
equately grasp the stupendous consequent
ces involved Shall we permit it TO be
proved to our SHINE and everlasting dis
grace that republicanism is failure, and
the last hope of oppressed millions. sigh
ing for freedom, to expire in eternal night?
Shall the young oak of American liberty
be evanescent as Jonah's gourd2 Shall
we rejoice in It's shade but day, and while
we slum6er In false security under the sy-
rem song of peace, permit the worm Of pri-
Wy conspiracy, aud the axe of bold rebel
lion, to destroy it2 Awake, Freemen, il
you dare be free, or live aud die among
slavery. -At