Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-06-26
God on our III, I side.

2 \
The ordinaryiule BY which we determine all f.
vorable events, to be specially directed by Divine
Providence for good is llacious, and is often
fruitful source Of selfdeception We must not con-
clude We are right, simply because zoe feel we are
right-because as we say, our conscience does not
condemn us Every kind Of conscience is not safe
guide or rule. To be safe, it must be well instruct
ed, tender, and quick to do its Office.
We do not claim for our cause, that the conscience
of the South is wholly what it should be- 1t is
guilty, scared, hard and mpracticable in many re-
spects, no doubt Hence, we do not conclude has
ty that the South is right and that by consequences
God is on our side simply because the Southern
conscience is much at upon the grounds of the
contest between North and South or because of the
universal feeling among Southern people that we
are right Werest it upon other and safer grounds;
upon such concentration Of arguments and facts
as irresstibly force upon the concicton that we
are right, and that God is on our side.
1t is aside from our purpose to 60 into the argu-
ment. This has been amply elaborated for the last
thirty years. and it is at the fingers ends of every
one. We mean the argument in support Of the
rights of the South under the oil Constitution, and
the right and duty of the South to separate when
she failed to obtain them, after the proper effort
In this the South held the vantage ground our enc
mics themselves being judges. The argument was
cumulative and progressive from the time the contest
began, until it eliminated in the South at least,
under the usurpaton Of Lincoln, to the point of
almost universal conviction.
The facts which we propose to introduce afford
confrma.ory and irresistible evidence that God sus
tains the right and that He is on our side.
l. The process by which the whole South arrived
at the conviction that she right has not been
hasty or inc onsiderate. Full time taken for de-
liberation for labor and parey with our antagonists
and for putting her foot on safe foundation. The
Southern sentiment vibrated between hope and fear
for time, not because she was undecided as to her
course when the full time came but because it was
her hope that Lincoln and the North at the last
would do right Here she paused as if waiting for
God to interfere 1t must be confessed that in
most of the States which had seeded, there was
still suspense if not some faint hope Of adjustment.
The suspense was awful Itsat as the pail Of death
upon the entire country; when suddenly, BY one
VI tuOSc SII0uSc duV "AiSlA
ever and anon take place in human affairs, Lincoln
issues his proclamation. The Rubicon was passed.
We do not see God in that matter az some may,
dering that act and directing the hand Of Lincoln in
drawing up that black, infamous record. God per-
mits what the deoil executes; and We cannot erase
from our mind the solemn conviction that the
"Prnce of the power Of the air." has had a chief
~ 11<b R,,<- ID
the hand of God in directing the whirlwind and
ifby his immediate power, convergng the sentiment
of the South to one point. Nor does it weaken the
force of the idea or of the truth that the time had
then come for separation, to admit that the same
hand converged the sentiment Of the North against
US. 1t confirms that truth; for without this uni
versal antagonistc sentiment both Sides separa-
tion permanent and incurable, could not have been
effected We claim therefore, that the unity of this
antagonstic sentiment on both sides, is evidence
that under the circumstances God sanctioned separa
tion and that in the struggle of the South to MAIN
tain it. God approves the right He is on our side.
! 2. Let US look at other evidences of Divine ap.
proval. While the North with her immense re.
sources, finds herself agreed in her opposition to
| SepaTdllOU, ytt ucT cuOIb " OhtudSt
the South recoil with greater force upon herself
| Her commerce and trade and manufactures are
ruined so long as the war lasts. Her immense treas
ures locked up not only because there is room
for safe investments but because her people doub
either the integrity or permanency of the govern
ment With millions of treasure her government
cannot borrow Of her people, but now seriously con
| r. L.,
tempts to-defeat US at Norfolk and Harper's Ferry
in her fright, she left us the most ample means fo
prosecuting the war. Every step Of invasion ha!
been marked by the blood Of our enemies. A
Aqnis Greek, and Fairfax Courthouse, and Phillip
and at Bethel Church, the punishment of our enc
mics was terrible. We see God in all this.
On the other band, the South finds that the block
unite her people the more, tax their powers of in
ventlon learn them to bear privation, and to max,
the best use of he- resources. Confidence in the
government supplies the sinews of war; and the jus
tice of their cause supplies their courage which il
better than large munitions of war; With but littl'
commerce or trade or manufactures to protect o.
keep in motion, their means, their labor and thei
courage, are all directed to the protection Of tbe
rights their soil and their homes. The South suffers
but she suffers patiently and willingly. God is il
all this .s.-
The history of the South never furnished greater
immunity from epidemic diseases or pestilence thar
it does at the present time. The health of the cti
zens and soldery Of the South is remarkable. He
fields Of wheat rye oats, rice corn and cotton, ar
laden with the richest harvestproepect that he
planters ever garnered Even the forests of oal
are bending with mast, and what only occurs pc
riodically, our stately pine forests are rich will
food for the swine Hence, prudent watch-car
over the young porkers, is all that is needed for
bountiful supply Of bacon and pork, for which VI
have hitherto made ourselves dependent upon tn
North. The laborers Of the South till her land
with unwonted cheerfnlness and alacrity, and onl,