Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-03-13
From the Philadelphia Press
AS the Day is, so shall our
Strength Be.
BY t. s. ARTHUR.

up il was associated in her with ell that
was horrible and wicked To become a
soldier. seemed, to her perception of the
case. to involve cruel instinct. She saw
no glory in the profession of arms. Toy
drums and swords were never in the hands
of her children. except through the unwel-
come agency Of aunts, uncles. or friends;
AMI they were. in these cases. soon re-
moved, with sober homilies on their bad
significance.
at will teach my children" she would
say to love their enemies; not to hate and
destroy them. To be ever on tho side Of
peace and good will to mankind, not on
the side of hatred aud destruction
Mrs. Irwin read tracts and books publish
oil by peace societies. and in the argument
against war crowded her mind with facts.
statistics aud reasons to degree that
made her formidable debator on the non
combative QUESTION. with almost every one
that happened to he drawn into argument
I. was useless to talk to her of the indy
ing antagonism between good and evil. and
the necessity Of external as well as inter-
nal combats; of national regeneration thro'
the baptism Of blood; of a stable peace
only through the destruction of enemies.
She denied the positions. All wars were
wrong. she contended. and might be avoid
ell.
Not in snything had Mrs. Irwin swerv-
ed from her peace principles. up to the
period when Sumpter fell. But the event
was like throwing. suddenly. into strong.
smooth current, broad obstruction. Her
whole being was in tumult. She caught
for breath like one in danger of suffocation.
She felt as though the firm foundation on
which she had been standing for years.
were crumbing under her feet. Mrs Ir-
win loved her country and revered its flag:
and this assault upon the one and desecsa-
tion of the other. fired her soul with indig
nation: and when her oldest boy. not yet
in bis twenty first year. said to her with
clenched hands and flashing eyes.
Mother. this must be ave lged!-'
She did not answer. but sat with pale
lips and face. looking at him in such trouble
and bewilderment OF mind that no thoughts
became coherent enough for words until he
added as he drew his slender form to its
Utmost hight:
And here is one ready
John! Johnp fell in weak remonstrance
from Mrs. Irwin. Don't speak SO! don't
let murd rous spirit bear you away
Don't say murderousp replied the boy.
with so much of rebuke in his tone that
his mother answered quickly:
"a spirit of revenge. then. John. Ven
geance is mine, saith the Lord, and l will
repay it,
Mother, shall we tamely submit to see
this nation destroyed. and its flag. which
has been honored throughout the world for
eighty years. shot at. rent and trampled
upon The boys eyes cleaned fercely.
For one. say no. and l have mistaken
my mothers heart if it does not echo back
the word. do not forget the lesson you
taught me years ago. that love of country
is next to love of God. And If we love
an object purely. will we not defend it
when assailed! Nay. even lay down our
lives in its protection?'
| In spite of all her peace principles and
horrors of war, there flowed into the mind
of Mrs. Irwin such feeling of admiration
for this outspoken patriotism Of her son.
that even he read pride and approval in
her humid eyes.
War is an awful thing. john said Mrs.
Irwin.
i know it is, mother But there are
worse things than war; and that worse
thing is at our door. You understand this
as well as do. They have thrown down
the guage Of war. and there is nothing left
for us but to accept the hard necessity
But you are not called to this work.
John. said Mrs. Irwin. the words faltering
ION her tongue. There are strong men
enough to respond to the Presidents call.
| cannot let you 60 my son. The eyes Of
Mrs. Irwin eyerhowed.
John laid his hand firmly on his moth
Ier's shoulders. snd looked steadily into
his mothers face Then he kissed her
tenderly. For the blessings we enjoy did
not the mothers Of the Revolution give
their sons to the battle field!
L cannot bear it. my son! l am not
strong enough for this. And Mrs Irwin
laid her face on the breast OF her boy and
wept shndderingly.
/ 'As our day is so shall our strength be
mother. Don't you believe this!'
Il do JOHN answered Mrs. Irwin, lift
ing her face and through binding
tears looking at him wonderingly; and
with q rising glow of pride in her hesrt.
Every woman admires courage in q MIN:
and the true mother loves it in her son.
A new sentiment was taking force in the
mind of Mrs. Irwin. and giving strength
for duty and for sacrifice She seemed to
herself like one undergoing quick trans
formation. New ideas and new estimate
of things were pressing upon her. and
thrusting old forms of thought aside.---
lido my son. but never thought to
see this day
The day has come upon u.s. replied the
young man. and shall we not be equal to
its demand? l am ready. and you are
ready alsol'
/ He spoke in quick, inspiring voice.
for he saw strength in the eyes of his mo-
ther, and gathering frmness about her
month.
Only little while longer was there strife
liz the mind Of Mrs. Irwin: only . little
while longer did old prejudices and fore
gone conclusions battle with new convic-
tons. only little while longer did shrink
ing. natural fear, stand in the way of duty