The hydraulic press., 1861-08-03
"CONSCIENCE MAKES COwARDS
OF us ALL.V

CONSCIENCE MAKES COWARDS
OF US ALL"
The South has always boasted much of its
ehivaTry-a species of v.inglory, which. although
neither modest nor courteous, was acquiesced in,
because it was regarded to some extent as true.
The recognition did not carry with it, however,
an acknowledgement of superior bravery. Gen
crosity, hospitality and gaIIantry were the fea-
lures admitted, and nothing more. Since the
commencement of the unnatural and unneces-
sary war into which their Confederacy has forced
the Government, their boast has not by any
means been redeemed by their acts Their
armies have been forced to eyacuate fortified po-
sitions without defensive blow being struck.
Their squadrons have been routed by largely in
ferior numbers; and their regiments vanquished
on almost every field where they attempted to
make stand
This was not because the Southern soldier
lacked courage. Fighting under the flag of his
country, against foreign invaders, he would
march into the jaws of death as boldly and fear
lessly as he did on the ensanguined fields of
Cerro Cordo or Buena Vista. 1t is his con-
science ,chich makes hin, co,card. The majesty
of an outraged law stares him in the face, and
the phantom of gallows stalks behind him! IF
he ventures beyond the camp, he is startled by
every bush that is suddenly shaken. When he
goes to battle, it is with conviction that he is
fighting in an unholy cause. The martial strains
Of loyal music pierce to his guilty soul. The
serried columns of the patriot army have terror
in their advance movement, which cows him.
His arm becomes weak, his voice husky, his aim
uncertain. He feels self-condemned, and dare
not fight the struggle to its mortal issue.
There is voiceless dignity in the right which
treason cannot withstand; moral power in the
law, before which rebellion falters; heavenly
radiance encircling the brow of Liberty, which
the averted eye of conspiracy dare not encounter.
Conscience is at work courage stands abashed;
and guilt causes flight when no man pursueth.
God has ordained the certainty of chastisement;
and the belief of its visitation is to the political
and civil offender, weight too ponderous and
overpowering to be borne.
This consciousness of wrong not only makes a
brave man coward, but it also max him vii
lain. He stands condemned in his own estima-
ton, and feels that he is so in the estimation of
others. Having no longer self-respect, he be-
comes reckless of the good opinion of those
around him. In such state of mind, he is pre-
pared to embark in any desperate enterprise,
without scruple as to the means by which it is
to be accomplished.
The reign of terror in the South, has its origin
in just such condition of things as we have
been describing. The Southern people do not
act in accordance with any of the we'll established
rules of philosophy, propriety or morality. A
species of frenzy prevails. Even the municipal
lawis set at defiance. Anarchy prevails through
out all departments and conditions of society.
Criminals are released from the prisons. Muir
der, rapine, violence in every form not only goes
unpunished, but meets with the appreciation of
the rulers. Statutes are passed legalizing fraud
and encouraging dishonesty. Society is either
entirely broken up or terrorized There is no
longer safety for life, limb or property. And can
a cause which demoralizes in this manner, pros
per? Can it hope to meet with the aid or SYM
pathy of right-thinking people? Never!
Remorse is doing its own work, with gnaw-
ing, relentless tooth, which strikes deep into the
vitals. If the Government had no armies in the
field, it could not fall in the end, to achieve a
conquest. Treason, traitors, conspiracy and con-
spirators are self-destroying; and, sooner or
later, must meet with an inevitable doom.
.