The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1861-10-24
THE TWO NATIONAL oRD.A.s

Every nation, 10 test its capacity for self
existence, without which it is not worthy
The name, must pass successfully through
two great ordeals. The first is the ordeal
OF iis birth, the struggle by which, it de-
taches Itself from the parent nation and
original dependency, and establishes lis in
choatc being, and becomes an independent
though as yetan infant indiv idnality among
the family Of nations. This ordeal VIC pass
ed IN severiDg our connection with Great
Britain. The actors in that mighty strug-
gle covered themselves with immortal glory.
1t was splendid success. The infant tina,
was born, by the blessing of God, was gift
cd with native vitality and vigor, and the
forces of selfdevelopment, and it became
youthful giant. They that looked for re-
aemption rcjoiced in its birth and growth,
and kings and aristocrats looked on With
chagrin and envy. If We had failed in that
struggle VIC should have been miserable
abortion, fallen still born on the lap of his
tory, and, ike an ut'imeiy birth, have
never seen the sun" The enemy against
whom we conterdod in that effort was from.
without, an outward, foreign foe, and our
triumph established our distinct, Individual
existence as a nation.
The second ordeal of national life is the
test of its power, under Goa, of selfpreser-
walton and prosperity. And this is crisis
no.less important than the first. 1t is the
transition from youth and minority to ma
Jori'y, when, as in the life of man, a nation
enters The arena CT trial for selfsupport and
Nindicates lis complete manhood. Having
gained an Independent existence in its natal
struggle, it must next, in the course of It's
history, pass the more critical ordeal of
Maintaining and rerpetuaiing itself agains,
Inward aD'agonism, and successfully defend
It's life from the fatal forces of intestine de-
cay and sedirion. It must sustain itself
against the internal strife Of domestic par
ties, and the shock OF civil war. If it tri-
,umph in this, then este peypetua is its ap-
propriate motto. 1t is like the man who
conquers himself, who is greater than he
who captures city. England and France
have each passed both these ordeals, and
they stand like The everlasting mountains,
which neither storms without nor volcanoes
within can shake from their firm founda-
lions.
The second of these ordeals is the mo
MENTORS and decisive crisis iu which our
young Republic is now struggling, and the
politica! philosophers and Swans of Europe
are locking upon The contest with anxious
and profound interest, trembling with hope
and misgiying for the result. Do we appre-
ciaie the issue? Are we sensible of its
magnitude? Do our minds adequately
grasp the stupendous cons, quences involved?
Are We equal TO the day that is upon us p
Shall we permit ii to be proved 10 our shame
and everlasting disgrace that rcpubiicanism
is failure, and the last hope Of oppressed
millions, sighing for freedom, to expire il
eternal night Shall the young oak of
American liberty be evanescen. as Jorah's
gourd! Shall we rejoice in IFS shade but
day, and while We slumber in false security
under the syren song of peace, permit the
worm of pFivy conspiracy, and the Ak of
bod rebellion to destroy it? Awake, free
men, if ycu dare be free, or live and die in
slavery.