Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-05-02
The snlutnry EHect Of the Present War

There is nothing new in this article from
the New York Herald, but the old argument
for war may be cOnsolipg to those who are
looking only at its dark side, and the disad-
vsntages resulting from its progress; 'ad
All are disposed torecognize the disastrous
effecls of war, particularly of civil war, in
those States which become the theater Of
action. But the ultimate beneficial infld-
ences OF war to society are for the most part
overlooked in its present devastations and
horrors. In TIE wise Arrangements Of ProTis
dence, war seems to be a Ieeessity-{the re-
suit OF a NATURAL law for the preservation Of
society-iustas much as storms and tempests,
and whirlwinds and thunder, are the results
of natural laws, and purify the atmosphere
and render II salubrious to man and beast
while partially destructive 70 both, Partial
evil isuniversal good Without war society
would become stagnant and corrupt, just as
would the air we breathe without the agita@
tion of the winds. th % -l.t
Without war and the suFerings which It
entails, man would degenerate. Without
war, patriotism and heroism would die out
from want of food Without war, society
would become stepped in luxury and eftemi-
macy, and the fighting element in the popu-
lation, instead of being directed against a.
foreign fee, would be turned in upon itself,
producing faction, and turbulence and disor-
der or it would be sure to prey upon the
peaceful and orderly portion Of the com.
muhity. ''f -s' ..
For half century there has been no war
on this soil, while ourgrowth and prosperity
! have advanced too rapidly for health. Young
! America, North and South, was becoming al-
/ mostsp spoiled for want of fight Had a foreign
war sprung up it would have saved the
\ country from the affliction of civil war,
and il would have had the effect of uniting
the people from Maine to Texas as one man.
The statesmen of Europe find it absolutely
necessary to engage in war in order to pre-
serve law and order, and to prevent con-
tinual insurrection aRd revolution,
The combative, qusrresome element is
removed from society and set apart, under a
separate martial government, and the Sc
verest discipline, TO encounter similar ele-
ment separated from the mass OF the people
in another nation. Mutual destruction is
the result, to the great benefit and tranquil.
lity Of both nations. ..
The governments of Europe are seldom al
loss for pretext for war; but they would
invent one rather than let discontented
population, impatient for activity, prey upon
property, subvert law and order, and embark
in schemes of rebellion. In the case of the
United States, there was no cause of discon'
tent among the people, and war could no
result from poverty. The chief cause of The
present war is excessive prosperity. AL
were too happy, and too we'll off; too mucf
fullpess of blood. A. little phlebotomy ii
necessary to relieve the nation of its pie
thora. Foreign nations would not ATTACK
US, because it was not their interest to d.
; SO. AS we could get moody else to fgh
with us, we must pitch into each other, ant
embark in a semi civil war, rather thar
have no war at ell to CRAFTY the fighting
propensity. rI.f.r- ... .-.-rI .
When both sections have tried each other
mettle in few battles, and both have suf
fered sufficiently from mutual determination
then perhaps peace may be restored, and tn
belligeIents may become better friends thai
ever, both having good reason to admire tn
pluck and courage of each other. The Soutl
in particular seems to be "blue nodded TO
want of beating" and will never be salts
fed of the warlike prowess of the North til
, it has felt its blows on the battle field. Ate
that it may return to reason, and both sec
tions may become one nation again, unite
, in the bonds of mutual interest and respee
! for each others rights Abolitionism an
Secession being put down together, an
. North and South, East and West, ceasing for
. ever to be the designations of party or th
synonyms of sectional animosity.
The effect Of this war will be to consum
, party politics and its corruptions,l and th
country win come out of the fire like gol
, | purified of its dross, better and brighter tha
ever while the chastisement will suffice 70
, the next half century, and the star of empir
, will continue to shine brightly in the West
the admiration and the hope of the huma
race in the worn out nations of the OIL
. | World. 90 t-.r.1 s-. -I ..... .