The Portland daily press., 1862-12-06

reign of terror enforced in many parts of the
South, and the necessity for the military con-
scription, go to show that the union of feeling
| and action there, have not in them that free
| spontaneousness which is SO natural in true
patriotism. In contrast with what exists at
| the South, even now, the union with us is re-
| markabe. How promptly have our immense
armies been raised. How cheerfully have lib
eral bounties been paidl How wonderfully
has the whole country worked and sacrificed,
| and poured out treasure, to meet the necessi-
| ties of the sick and wounded. In these bless
! ed charities, neither party lines, nor denomi-
4 national lines have been recognized. Here
49, there man has looked on codly, or spok-
81 Isscouragingly. Here and there a treach-
AS 4 heart has been uncovered and overt acts
/ o4sgshown man or woman in alliance with
the reveous. But how few the number Is
| 1t not remarkable?
And this unanimity and cooperation sub
stantially remains. 1t was to be expected that
| political questions and conflicts should come
| up, and that old party lines would be reform
| ed. But as yet there is no party against the
,cdr. As yet there is no party to declare for
the rebellion, or for the Confederacy. Among
the people, in the army, and out of the army,
there can be no such party. The patriotism of
! the North is too deep, and the love for our
free institutions is too pure TO render the form
alton of such party possible. The men will
be bold indeed who shall attempt leadership in
such direction, and will find they have reck-
oned without their host. Traitors and spies
there are among US in every State perhaps,
and likely enough in every department of
State, and in every portion of the army. What
else could be expected from such vigor on the
part of our enemies, and such eniency on our
own part But the masses are one. The mass
es, OF all ranks and conditions and professions,
and sects, ARE ONE. This unanimity is rela-
lively much greater and more powerful than
was that found among the American people
during the period of the Revolution. Yet the
union manifested then was deemed wonderful.
l doubt whether such union on the part of
the supporters of the government has ever been
witnessed in the whole history of rebellions.
The Importance Of this unanimity is beyond
all computation. 1t tends to sustain our forti-
tude and patience. 1t is powerful argument
in favor of the rectitude of our cause. Were
there among us a large and influential class
who feared and felt that we were wrong, and
should finally fail of the divine appreciation,
the hands and hearts of all would be weakened.
Even If such were everborne and dared not
speak, yet the knowledge that they had such
convictions would do much to neutralize the ar
dent zeal of many. The unanimous conviction
OF great people Is a tremendous force, not
only among themselves, but a force which acts
on foreign nations. 1t has had incalculable in
fiuence in keeping foreign nations out of our
domestic strife. Even our late political dis
cussions are viewed by the English Govern
ment as indicating some slight prospect for her
future intermeddling; hope she will aban-
don when she finds that all parties are substan-
TALLY one in the purpose to resist the rebellion.
England viii never interfere with US while we
press our cause with such spontaneous unan-
unity. And need not say that this continu-
ally acts against the South with tremendous
dscouragement. II is worth to us $4,000 men
in arms at least. Could they see division
of sentiment and purpose among ourselves,
their hearts would exult with hope and their
arms would be invigorated with new energy.
Now then, have we not cause for devout
thanksgiving to God for this prompt and so
long continued union of sentiment and feeling
concerning this struggle? lis one chief bull
wark of our defense, for which we ought to
be grateful to Him who moves the hearts of
men. 1t excited our gratitude at the begin
ming of the conflict, and it deserves deeper
gratitude to-day. We are an united people.
The free States of the North have not been
rent into alienated sections. Freedoms holy
sympathies have yet proved stronger than the
combined power of slavery. And while we
thank God that we are yet thus united, let us
guard and cherish these sacred bonds. Let us
be mutually forbearing and conciliating and
courteous, and conflding, and unite more and
more closely in those measures and exertions
which are manfeStly necessary for the support
of the national government and the common
veal.
Another just cause of gratitude and praise
is, our material prosperity. Perhaps never
in the history of the Republic was this great
er. The earth never yielded more bountifully.
The manufactures of the nation were never
more severely worked, or with greater profits.
There never probably were so many men at
work, actually producing or earning a liveli-
hood, as at the present time. Multitudes at
home perform double labor, and thus supply
the loss of the labor of those in the army, and
support them by the extra toll.
Probably the North was never richer in real
wealth than she Is to-day But a small frac-
ton of our gold and silver has been exported
since the war commenced. For many months
our imports of the precious metals have equal
led our exports. The high rates of exchange
are not the result of the scarcity of gold, but
the result of its being kept in secure deposit,
and of speculation. And even this high rate
of exchange has, doubtless, mercifully pre-
served us from large expenditure in needless
foreign Injuries. 1t has aided us to keep our
real wealth. And now it is aiding us in ex-
porting our natural products, which bid fair
soon TO reduce the present rate of exchange,
as well as further TO enrich us.
The war is indeed enormously expensive;
but the payment of this expense is practically
but little more than the rapid circulation of
immense wealth among us. The coun-
ul, AT All events. tue NOGln is not wasted, nor
is it in process of exhaustion. Substantial
prosperity reigRs euery,rhere. II is a wonder
to ourselves. We are just waking up to our
own condition, and learning our real strength
| 1t is an astonishment TO our contemporaries of
| the Old World. The secret is threefold -
| our vast accumulations, our inexhaustible nat
ural resources; and the industrial habits and
| practical ability of our people. God has been
| preparing the nation for this very crisis a sure
| sign He means we shall succeed. We are able
| to bear the burdens resting upon us. The
| Institutions which We have cherished have
| produced habits and developed energies and re-
sources, which enable to meet the assault
which these institutions are now suffering.
| Such national spectacle was never before ex-
hbted, such prosperity in connection with
| such war, and such rebellion. The resour-
ces of the North have never before been un-
covered, the industry and business capacity of
the nation have never been tested or compre-
hended. The independence of the Free States
both of the South and Foreign Nations could
never have been so clearly demonstrated as by
the present eXigencies Our reserved resour-
ces, not only in money, but in the products of
the earth,-the last and chief source of all
wealth, and in the material for war both on sea
and on land, have been but partially drawn
upon, while they are being increased every
month.
In all this see cause for devout gratitude,
and sincere thanksgiving to God He has Civ
en- another fruitful season. He has crowned
the year now closing, with goodness and caus-
ed our paths TO drop fatness. Our pastures
| have been clothed with hocks the valleys al