The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-07-19
TRADE AND PEACE.

Since the fall of Adam, the whole human
family, from generation to generation, has
been alike selfsh-differing, perhaps, in de-
gree, but always essentially the same. What
will profit man, has been the grand theme
of ages. The process of light and religion
does not seem to root out or obliterate this
striking characteristic of the race. To be
rich and to increase in wealth, without linn
it; to obtain prineely possessions; to sacri-
fee time and ease, health and peace, and
even moral principal, in pursuit of gain s
to put in jeopardy individual and national
life for the sake Of temporal prosperity, has
been the ruling tendency of every kindred,
tongue, and people since the beginning of the
world.
There has always been time, in the his
tory of every country, when war, all things
considered, was not only desirable but more
profitable than peace. Like thunder storm.
it may do some damage, but in its results
great and lasting good is obtained. War
is Gods husbandry, and when he turns the
burrows upon any earthly principality or
power, he does it for good. Mans wisdom
is short-sighted and foolish; and where he
looks, most confidently, for golden prosper
ity, from thence often comes disaster and
ruin.
The leading, controlling nations of the
earth are those whose commercial interests
are most carefully encouraged and looked
after, not those whose population is the most
numerous. Such nations, and all nations,
like individuals, keep their principles in
close proximity, if not under the same lock
and key, to the vaults of their exchequer.
AS a. general rule, therefore, for what pays
they will advocate, vote, fight, and put in
peril their very existence. Rather than have
their trading interests trifed with or inter-
fered with, they will be heroically bold and
defiant War, at such moment, is regard
ed as nothing.
Now and then single individual will rest
as firm as rock on moral principle, but
such instances are rare. When brought to
the test of persecution, or loss of property
and friends, the best of men fall. To do
ones duty and then :tstand," requires often
more heroic blood and daring than to face
lannon's mouth. Once in a great while,
but not often, Washington may be found,
in society or in camp, as firm as Mount
Atlas.
| Nations have the same tendency as indi-
viduals. They will always do that which
will protect and advance their commercial
and trading interests. They look at all
questions, religious, moral, and political,
from that standpoint. They don't object
to foreign war, if they can prosper. They
like moral principle in the abstract, and free
dom per Sc, but never will they, willingly
and cheerfully, stop single spinning jenny,
or sacrifice an ounce of gold, to promote
either. When the roar of distant cannon
echoes on their shores, and the thunders of
war disturb their material advancement,
| Al Il L. 40
will they lose for liberty, not dollar will
they yield for the oppressed-abroad. Their
ships must not lie idle, their wheels of COM
merce must not be stopped, their laborers
aust have daily employment, their money
market must be easy-come what may.
At such crisis, nations have hitherto act
ed just like individuals, and we may expect,
till the millennium, that they will continue
so to do.
Just now, therefore, while we are oblig-
ed to pass through the 'frey trial." we
"must not think strange" of England's in
difference to the progress of liberty, justice,
and humanity. She wants cotton more
than she wants the freedom of four millions
of human beings; she wants trade more than
she wants the rights of humanity respected;
she wants commercial prosperity more than
than she wants moral principle; she wants
a market more than she wants the friend
ship of the American Union; she wants gold
to flow into her treasury more than she
wants to do to others as she would have
others do to her, in similar circumstances.
France is in the same position. Napoleon
wants our cotton, tobacco, and breadstuffs,
in exchange for his silks, wines, and other
Injuries. So long as trade is suspended, so
long his Majesty will be uneasy. His throne
perhaps may be in danger. He wants peace
at home more than he cares for war abroad.
He wants to be the ruling power-to grow
stronger and stronger, until England, Rus
STA, and the whole world shall tremble at
his presence.
What is true of England and France, is
I true in measure of other nations. A pro-
| tracted war, like that In which we are now
engaged, is only doing what might be ex-
pected, when it interrupts commerce and
mars the prosperity Of nations. Let US not
be troubled therefore, or finch one hair from
the path of duty. He who is for us in this
bloody struggle for liberty. is more than all
they who can be arrayed against US.
We have high and noble work to do,
and no earthly power shall stay our hand.
| The world shall see, when the smoke of bat
tie is over, that we have been laying broad
and deep the foundations of true pros
perity. They shall see that, In this mighty
conflict, we have sought the greater good
and have found the lesser; that we have glo-
riously and triumphantly defended the
cause of freedom, and have been gloriously
and marvelously prospered thereby.