The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-07-27

The spirit OF the Nation Rising
Difficulty and disaster demoralize weak
character, while they arouse and concentrates
the energies OF = strong one. in tho way
to some non essential good, obstacles turn .
man aside; but 10 the road to vitality i'm
rcrtant object they convert him into hero.
The reluctant element in mans nature
clamor and hold back on the path Of unne-
cessary soil and danger ; but when every
thing Is Al stake, these elements are silent
or become allies.
So with the nation in this time OF disaster,
in this great struggle for existence. The
men Who in their hearts loved their country,
and whom, nevertheless, old ways Of think.
ing, the prejudices Of party, or lingering
southern sympathies had held back, are
wheeling into the ranks; they are for their
country when its dangers plainly demand
their voice and aid. And tho men who have
been cursing the war, croaking over their
empty purses and their stsgpased business,
their unoollected debts, heavy losses, and the
spectre OF coming bankruptcy, who could see
only money and the interests Of money, even
these men are kindling 10 the general blaze
OF patriotic feeling; they are rising on the
ground swell Of popular zeal and determine.
tion; they are coming to see that the nation
10 worth more than the individual, and their
country OF more value than their business.
Patriotism did not die with our Revolution
ary Fathers. To outsiders and critical look
srs on, the nation seemed, just now, devoted
TO material and personal interests, profound
worshippers Of the therefore 30 called CAL
mighty Dollar" Indifferent, comparatively,
to all things except gains and "spoils." But
the trembling Of the pillars Of State, the
shaking OF the foundations Of Government,
has reused the slumbering spirit OF the ia
theirs Of nc and the loyal nation has entered
upon struggle for constitutional liberty,
the most important that ever moved this oon-
tinens, upon conflict for the life Of a hu-
man Government, the best the world has
ever seen. We have entered upon new era
Of national existence. We are making the
materials Of history. We are working not
for ourselves only, but for nations that look
on, and for generations that shall follow
He is the true poet, says Carlyle, not who
writes, but who does poem; and there are
poems to be done. Loyalty and daring and
endurance, sacrifice and integrity and capa-
CITY, are now in demand, and whatever slang
may be uttered about men who fight for
bread, We have but to look over the circle OF
our own Acquaintance, and over tho broad
face of the nation, to read the spirit Of this
conflict. The nation Is rising, rising in cha
racter, 10 distinctness, in high achievement,
and rising to higher, nobler natural life.
Patriotism, love Of liberty, regard for gov
eminent and Law, zeal for God and the right,
and trust in 80 intelligent, Almighty Prov
iuyoce these are mighty forces, the best
cement OF national union, the best elements
Of a nations life; and happy 10 it for our
country and the cause OF freedom, that these
forces, combined with others OF course, are
now lifting up our nation, like the geologic
rising OF continent. The di6oulsy We en-
counter may be the discipline Of success, and
temporary disaster, evoking new energies
and heartier combinations, may become the
means to = speedier triumph.