The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-11-15
For the Union and Journal.
wAR--A DUTY. OH

cOmm0ti0n, the mind Is naturally led TO re-
feet upon the nature Of war, as an instru-
ment for the maintenance Of peace. and the
perpetuation Of republican institutions. i,
is true that war is great evil. II is fearful
to contemplate vast armies arrayed in deadly
opppsition-each awaiting favorable OPP
portunity to annihilate, ifpossible. the other.
And then, toe, the mind is seized with horror
at the thought Of battle-felds strewn with
the dying and the dead; Of multitudcs stricken
down in the prime Of life. and the visor OF
manhood, far away from the parental roof.
The natural and almost inevitable tendency
Of thoughts like these, is to create in the
mind strong repugnance to everything per-
tanning to war. But yet there are other and
weightier considerations, which serve to i'm.
part bright aspect, even to the horrors and
calamties of civil war. II We trace the
progress Of the cause of civil and religious
liberty, from its infancy down to the present
time, we find that war and bloodshcd, like
guardian angels, have almost invariably at
tended its footsteps. Whenever it has been in
danger offallins into the strong grasp oftyr-
amy and oppression, Providence has clothed
it with sufficient power to withstand the
assaults of its formidable adversary, and i'm
parted to it new vigor and energy for its
future protection. The apidity ofits growth,
and the wonderful energy which it has dis
played in overthrowins kingdoms and empires
founded on oppression, afford the strongest
proof of its noble destiny, and right to pro-
tect itself. even through the instrumentality
Of war. Adopting as their own,thc language
of the immortal Henry, "Give me liberty, or
give me DEATH" they appealed to the God Of
battles in yindcation of the justice of their
cause, and millions now hold their names in
grateful remembrance. They fought to
establish government upon principles OF
justice and equality, and their efforts were
crowned with abundant success. And the
uncxamplcd prosperity which has thus far
attended its administration, is a striking
proof that Providence had some great design
in causing these institutions to be wrought
out by the machinery of war. But now they
are in the most imminent danger. Treason
in all its enormity, is seeking their dcstruc-
ton. The cause Of freedom is imperilled.-
The heart Of the patriot is sad. Now, If our
foref,thcrs were justified in appealing to
arms, in order to establish free institutions,
how clearly justiiiablc are tho efforts of those
who are fighting for the maintenance and per-
petuity of the same institutions! Indeed, is
it not a sacred duty dcvolvins upon this
generation to transmit to postcrity unlm-
paired, this priceless heritage bcqueathedto US
by our illustrious ancestry? As it was only
by tho revolutionary struggle that eighty
years OF internal peace and prosperity were
secured TO this nation: so 1t is only by the
vigorous and energetic prosecution OF this
war against treason and rebellion, that per-
peace can DO secured to our now
country. And yet there arc those
who declare their willingness to compromise
with traitors, rather than behold tho further
prosecution of what they 500 fit to term an
..unholy war;" When the knife of the trail
tor and assassin is being applied to the very
heart of tho confcderacy, and the cause of
freedom is impcrillcd, they have no word of
remonstrance to utter; but as soon rs loyalty
and freedom rise up in arms for protection
against the fierce assaults Of slavery, they
manifest stiikingabhorrencc for everything
to war. They will not recognize
the fact that the base and degrading surren-
der of the eternal principles of freedom and
truth, is far more terrible than war. They
must be sadly destitute Of those pure and
noble principles which characterize tho true
patriot, and without which the mental vision
Is perverted, and the individual falls victim
10 his own sellishncss and want ofpatriotism.
But, on the other hand, the true and high
minded patriot, looking beyond the darkness
md gloom OF the present, bcholds in the din
md confusion of war, the inevitable progress
IF free principles, and the realization OF the
hopes of mankind. He is convinced that
future peace can DO secured, only by present
strife. Casting aside every base and selfish
motive, and actuatcd only by true phian-
.hropy,h is willing to sacrifice his own COM
tort, and ifnced be, life itself, for the pro-
notion of the cause Of universal freedom i
lie thinks not merely of his own happiness,
but of the happiness ofposterity also, and he
believes that that happiness can be secured
only by the preservation of the Union in its
He is convinced that peace means
not merely to traitors, but to
tho foul and degrading slavery which they
represent, and he would rather behold his
native land drenched in fratcrnal blood, than
'ec il submitting to such degradation. lie
places the most implicit confidence in the
Justice of his cause and even amid present
'everses bcholds victory pcrchipg upon the
,anner of freedom and right. He beholds
he darkness and gloom of oppression, disap.
,earing before the light of civilization. lie
ICES slavery us it Disguised with its own ex.
stence. coming forward Voluntarily, and
,irtring itself as sacrifice to the. cause of
reedom, and his long cherished convictions
# right will not permit him to spare it.
Nil DEsPERASDUM.
Saco, Nov. 9th 1861.
PARsoysrIELD Observation-Disclosures is