Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-12-26


that He is compelling us by the irres'st'
ible logic of events to cooperate with MN
in his purpose, and to fight for it, not dee
signediy, not willingly, not knowingly even
for the most part, but none the less effec-
lively.
'Thy most dreaded instrument
In working out pure atent,
Is man arrayed for matual slaughtef--
Yea, Carnage is thyDaughteri"
Throughout the war thus far in all my nu.
merous discoursings on the subject, have
never before mentioned slavery. Many
will say that my silence has been ny shame.
But have not regarded slavery hitherto
as the immediate and rightful issue pre-
sented, and | have been unwilling to assist
its hurrying on; for when it should come:
If come it must, it would come fsught, l
know not with how much horror and blood.
But it has come of itself now, without any
hurrying but that ofmilitary necessity and
since it has come must recognize it. No
body can avert or postpone it by shutting
his eyes or holding his tongue.
| have never been an aboltonist, in the
usual sense of that term. The people of
this country, and of the loyal part OF 1t,
have not been abolitionists in the mass
But if now the Almighty Providence itself
has become maniiesty and actively aboli
zionist, We shall have to follow its leadings
and fall in with its purposes whether we-
intend it or not, or whether We like 1t or
not. Events are stronger than our preju-
decs or our wishes. God will not be cross.
ed or defeated.
1t is evident, then, that the Question be-
tween free and servile labor is now in inn
mediate process OF dccisionj and it can be
decided only one way. IF freedom prevails
in the present conflict, and slavery is re-
moved, the decision is once tor all. That
false system once broken can never revive
or return in this age of the world. And
.hon what shall hinder the perpetuity of
union and pcac, throug hout all our bordcrsf
If, on the other hand, the slave system
should conquer in this immediate conflict,
it can be but for season. The old issue
will be forever presenting itself. The c n
hict will be renewed from year to year,or
from generation to generation, till freedom
prevails. The principle Of freedom never
tires an never surrenlcrs. When defeat
cd and driven back, it rallies again. 1t
aetates till it succeeds. 1t has the laws
Of nature on its side, and the deeper and
miglitier human Instincts on its side, and
God Almighty on its side; and its final
prcdomnanc3 is only question of time.
This nation has postponed the fearful is
sue as long as it couldi and now against
our will it is upon us. and will push us till
it is decided, and decided Alright Then.
and only then, will there be peace. For
myself, [ believe tht we shall not have
a temporary AMI precarious peace until it
IS decided, aul decided Alright. Predic.
tsons arc ilie, vet cannot but anticipate
that few mouths shall bring US the end
or at least SHOW as tie beginning of the
end, anil suel an eal that this whole con-
tinen. sh III be blessel in it, and universal
humanity rejoice in it.
We cannot to-day give thanks for peace;
we eln only study Tie nature and condi-
tions of the peace we want. We must
still labor Tor it, make sacrifices for it, till,
through energy and zeal and courage and
victory, we win it. Meantime, pray for
IT, Fray for the peace OF Jerusaenr-
is tgae, righteous, anl enduring peace.
! Pray for it, ami let the people say
Amen.