The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-02-01

row, Dy becoming used to it, but for the
sensibilities to become blunted, we arc
never improved, but degraded, rather
Besides, the work of hardening will be
too well done by whatever of the spiri,
of malacs or revenge will tolerated in
the cause. Physical death canno,
equal moral disaster; all the prominent
vices that have for years been SO hope
fully declining, will receive vast en-.
couragement from the war. Absent
from society, and the over awing majes.
ty of woman's virtue, the character is
rendered pregnable to the evil infu-
ences that ever hover around military
posts, like craven vultures over desert
marches; and very few of those who
are permitted to escape the ball or the
sword, will return to as without some
habits of vice attached to their charac-
ters for life.
But there are evils made necessary
in Divine Economy. War is physical
resistance on large and fearful scale,
and is frequently the only answer to an
Unsuitable demand and we must be-
lieve that it has not only its use thus,
but that there is qualification in the
truly good and gratee, to discharge the
duties of it in its most aggravated form.
The human spirit must not only be ten
der, but strong; without force of char
acter, we are a burthen to ourselves,
and an encumbrance to. others, and of
no available worth any where. While
physical force is the only available
means in the exigcncy of case so ur-
gent by the general good, the qualifi-
cation to effectually WELD that force is
loudly called for.
This greatness is not the brutal pas
sion that we frequently see in its stead !;
sensuality begets spiritual weakness
it may serve good purpose in the foray,
but it ever enfeebles the authority and
respect of an army, and always detracts
from personal bravery. 1t saps the
mind of knowledge of the idea that
leads them, and weakens the interest of
the objects in view, after which, person
al safety from outward danger, and the
immediate qualification of the sensual
appetite, are the chief consideration.
"Thrice armed is he that hath his
quarrel JUST" if soldier can feel that
his cause is great and just, and if he aims
at nothing beyond it, he is the most re-
liable man that can be brought to SER
vice. Great indeed is the man of ac-
curate sensibilities, but greater is be,
who, added to this, has the ability to
maintain steady purpose to the indis-
pensible end. The surgeon who is
truly sensitive and faithful, cuts not a
fiber more than is needed, nor one less
than will make the work sure. The
truly wise parent affiicts for an end of
kindness, and does it sufficiently, but
spares every superfuous blow, while
the exasperated strikes for no end but
revenge, and withholds, only when his
passions are gloated. Severity is kind
and christian, when the end justifies
the means, but otherwise, it is wicked
and unhuman. With this principle the
American people have more general
acquaintance than any other; the basis
of their civil institutions grants it, and
the few happy years of uninterrupted
prosperity have perceptibly developed
it; the fruits Of which are indeed
blessed in this time of their utmost need.
Their sons have been taught to love an
enemy, and how to treat with the erring
And though few of them have advanced
far, their common proficiency is very
distinct, and of great value and comfort,
in view Of the future peace of the
country, and the perpetuated morality
of the soldiers. The most of them are
from the bosoms of pious families and
societies, and have enlarged views o.
justice and mercy, and will disdain to
abuse power. This thought is mex
pressibly pleasant; the father or mother
bereft of son by the country's call
has this guarantee of his moral safety
and can oheerfully spare him, for all
time if need be, to sustain endangered
Liberty and Union. Besides, the cause
and merits Of the war have been
thoroughly discussed; and he knows
what the exigency is, and to what pur-
pose he is sent.
We are yet in the infancy of oul
national existence; our ablest states
, men have ever considered this govern
ment, even in its most sunny days, al
little more than an experiment. Ar
experiment, not to see if Republican
~g - tho hest hut tf