Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-09-12

49, N'tNa W. oiN ~ bhi
very doors Step by step has this tendish
rebellion progressed, using all the means
right or wrong, within lis reach until grown
bold by its successes. ii now essays TO dictate
terms Of peace on the steps of the Senate
house. We cannot understand this We
can scarcely credit it Aud yet it is even
so and the more fearful are already looking
for the flames of a burning city bearing the
honored name of Washington
surely il there ever was moment in our
history when it was fitting that we iortify
ourselves in the principles of our holy reli-
plon, this is that moment. Ii there ever
WAS time when we had need TO assure our.
selves of the justice of our cause, the pre-
sent is that tune II it were ever wise and
prudent for us TO cast about for the true
source of Onr strength and hope, il is emi-
nently so now. Ii we do this, 1T matters not |
how stormy and troublous the times we are
prepared for every emergency. Fear in its I
ordinary sense has no proper or legitimate
place among christian people. II is only |
when people set aside the principles OF the |
divine government aud drive forward regard |
less of divine CONTROL that they have reason
TO fear Aud when great caamties aud
trials come upon them in such circumstances,
it is only they who are faint-hearted aud
dismayed.
When, as in my text, the servant of the
people, rising curly, saw the heather hosts
Of the King of Syria comprising the city,
he was smitten with fear, and running to
Elshn he cried out Alas my master
what shall We do?n lie acted very little
either like christian or hero Hear the
calm and assured reply of the man of God.
Fear not, for they that he with us are
more than they that he with them This
positive announcement Of the prophet grew
out OF the conviction, that the cause lie aud
his people had esp0used was essentially the
cause oi God, and il could not fall
lie was persuaded that their resources were
in the fountains of Omnipotence. Aud this
persuasion enabled him TO speak with great
confidence and hope. Now Just in proper
tion as we are enabled TO cherish this per
suasion, shall we be calm, confident and
4 hopeful of our conntrys cause. We shall
see troops of allies gathering TO our STAN
dard and shall feel the strength of inyinc-
BILE, though unseen powers. clustering thckly
at our side. We ought by this time to be-
convinced that the struggle in which we are
engaged is no common one Enemies. the
emlSsarles OF rebellion scattered too thickly
through our ranks may tell us this war OH
our part is needless that il is politicians
war, the work OF partizans and fanatics, but
we know better it is a struggle for life.
lstence. 1t is not Il war of aggression or
conquest, we have waged one war of con-
quest-God forbid that we should ever add
the guilt of another. 1t is not a war of
conquest, but it is one OF defence and self
preservation, Que Of the first laws of nature
1t is lifted at once far above the sphere of
all ordinary contests, and assumes Il moral
grandeur and sublimity which dwarf into
comparative obscurity all the wars Of history.
II Is melancholy fact that the American
people have not more readily and uuani-
mously seen this. Who shall tell us that it
is not for this blindness to the true issues of
the struggle, we have suffered such repeated
humiliation and defeat?
Now, what evidence have we that our
forces are the strongest and that We shall
succeed?
~ Not that the loyal States have the
most material wealth This is true But
we have no Insurance of success from this
source.
Nor, t2) that we have the most men and
| war material. All this is true. But thus
far We have failed with all our great armies
1t may be Napoleonc but not scriptural
that, God is always on the side Of the
strongest battalions'
(3.) Nor that we have national and histo
rlc prestige All this too is true Scarcel,
any nation has had such history, and perhap,
z It has been our weakness, that we have bper
q so little thankful aud boosted Of our histori,
renown so much. Yet We see how easy il i,
e for God 10 bring us To ruin. Not by "a for
: eign foe, bat by permitting the elements oil
run TO start mp within ourselves
(il We believe We are cOntendmg for til,
- NE OF wise and benehcent government -
: We have meyer doubted that We have tn,
best government oil earth, probably the brs
e that was ever framed. Here have Hoar4he,
v all the great institutions that SO adorn an,
bless the race. Aud they have been nour
ishedl protected and encouraged by the yer,
genlus OF our government. This govern
n ment IS lniperilled and we its children nr
/. raliylng for lts safety. Who so base as no
to see ~
r ~ We are contcndng against IA barbar
Il Gus despotlsm, that, perhaps, never had it
r. parallel among numinally civilized men,
- lts nature as seen in all It's movements if
o studied purpose for more than IL quarter of
a century--the means Of lis promotion tn
eharacter Of lts leaders and the end il pru
+ poses to secnrr; all declare il without
e precedent. 10 defeat such rebellion, "
/. hrmy believe IS right, and God must loo
upon the effort with approval
(6.l We believe that the canse of ou
government is the cause Of civil and rel
HlnuA HutHt9f Hot Ohly mere nut thrOnghOu
the world, or this no one who has withou
r prejudice, at all studied the nature of Til
:. contest, can have a lingering doubt. Th
, rebellion which threatens our republic.
le based essentially upon injnstice oppressio
ii and tyranny Its spirit is the spirit of Oh
preston The means aud methods il nsu
il are the Instruments Of tyrants The obiec
'e IT seeks is the supreme power Of the f.
-, over the many The fruits of its career tim
" far, are the fruits Of despotism. Not alon
ID the friends of oppression, slavery, iniustic
ID and tyranny in our own land, are inbilant d
the prospect of the downfall Of this govern
le ment, but every petty tyrant and dcspot c
Je the old world. Our enemies in Enrlan
"a and France, are the friends of monarch,
: and the privilege Of the few to lord Owe
lr the many, and live in luxury while the su
he terlng millions are ground to powder b,
meath the iron heel of power. Every III
selfish lover of liberty and free governmer
be must see thisi while our friends all throug
,o the world, are the multitudes who are strul
Cling against oppression and reaching ou
IT. supplicating hands for relief from the bon,
ce age in which they groan being burdened
We are encompassed by IL great cloud
Witnesses" The combat deepens, and ii
or rebel hosts would fam drive free republica
10. government from its last home, eXpnnpe II
fair record of two centuries, and write de
ue potisA in bloody lines on the vet blal
lily pages of future history Men and womt
nj Of to-day our work is to prevent this sa
NV this direful catastrophe, and if possible sa,
ed this great continent from so dreadful fat
ln doing this, we believe God is with us N
-. egions of ministering spirits smile atten