Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-23


Some days after Mr. LincoinS eiec'loh 10
the presidency. when South Carolina seemed
to be burning with fervent heat, MIR. khett
exclaimed with exultation For thirty-two
years have followed the quarry, and behold!
it is at lsst in sight. A few more bounds
and the Union falls!"
During that period Of thirtytwo years,
southern statesmen had exercised controlling
influence in the goyernment-statesmcn, If
not always of the school of Mr.. Rhett, always
friendly to the positive and audacious policy
which gave those extremists their influence
and power. All circumstances seemed to
conspire in their favor, giving them advan-
tages which would have gratifed the ambition
of any other people on earth. A benigrant
climate and generous soil assured to them
safe and always increasing prosperity. Their
cotton monopoly gave them certain recog-
nized power over the commerce of nations.
Their peculiar social'organization gave to the
ruling class extraordinary political power
unknown to our system of free society-which
they impressed upon every branch of the
government They had also in the free states
powerful and faithful allies, some believing in
their theories of government, other acqui
escing in them as the choice of supposed evils.
Ruinous as their influence proves to have
been, it might have been indefinitely prolong
ed but for the madness which has overwhelm-
ed them.
Dreaming of a new and independent empire
stretching far to the south, and jealous of the
growing Importance of the north and west,
they thought they could overthrow the gov
eminent to which they owed equal allegiance
with the rest by right, and ten-fold allegiance
by reasons of gratitude, even though they
might be crushed by its fall They raised the
spell, and the fend came. The vast political
prestige which they held for generation is
psralyzed forever. Their commerce, like
an uncrowned monarch, steals in dis
guise from port to port to find an ope-
ming in the blockade. Their exuberant and
fruitful lands are scourged with the storm and
fire of war of which no man can yet see the
end. They would have it so. Like Cadmus
they flung a sword among the people arming
them for mutual slaughter; and they are the
first to feel the keenness of its edge. Wrong
fully, indeed, the innocent suffer with the
guilty. Treason, if it is most fatal to the
traitor, yet casts a heavy shadow upon the
whole lald, under which all interests are de-
pressed, all prosperity languisheS, and all
curity of property and life is imperilled.-
Brave men are torn from the pursuits of peace
to meet the dangers and casualties of war
Homes which never knew bereavement before
have been desolated valor, virtue, genius,
have been sacrificed before this destroying
scourge.
What is to be the recompense? What rev.
elation of new light will atone for this dark
ness? Never, never, after the discipline of
sorrow through which this country has passed,
will it return to its idol worship of the last
twenty years. Its prophet of Khorassan has
lifted the veil, and his power has departed for
ever. Now let him die. There will be hope
then for a government and Union, which
may in some degree reward the people for
their trials-under which all men are respect
ed, and all rights secured; where all unfortu-
nate may find a refuge, and all oppressed
a home. Here, at least is a field fit for
heroic labor and sacrifice 1t is said 1.-THE
sure years will reveal the deep remedial
force that underlies all calamity" This is
the compensation which awaits the renewed
republic. 1t is a part of the brave work
which Heaven has given this generation and
people to do.