Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-05-02

Printed by special request ofthc Family.
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We see here to-day the evidences of but one
of many, many sacrifices, made for the preser-
yation of the Government. There is many a
sorrowful family -circle--many a weeping mo-
ther-and in many cases there are heart broken
wives and fatherless children, all mourning the
fall of some loved one in battle. Alas the de-
mon of war is abroad in the land and his DEATH
blows fall on many noble heart Hitherto
the casualties of battle have not fallen very
thickly upon us, though they have not
wholly passed us by. But of course, we all
know that those who have gone out from us are
just as liable TO them as are others. Hence our
deep, personal interest in the progress of events
as well as our general interest as lovers of our
nation and government.
Life and personal social enioyments are felt
not to be the most precious of good things
Our volunteers choose to forego the pleasures of
home and friends for so long time as may be
necessary TO vindicate the government and re-
establish its authority. They go forth and cast
each one his life into the scales of the con-
fict-let them turn which way they will.
Friends of the soldiers offer upon the altar of
devotion to their country their affections. They
are willing to bear the pain of separation, the
anguish of suspense, the risk of bereavement
if only the institutions and country which our
fathers bequcathed to MS may be preserved in
their integrity. Only let us ever have eoun-
try and institutions worth dying for,-wortl
leaving TO our posterity, and we shall ever be
willing to make sacrifices for them. Let them
ever be more precious in our esteem, than our
own life or our own personal enjoyments Life
is not the greatest blessing; nor is death the
greatest evil Social OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
blessings are not worth more than the principles
of rectitude, justice and liberty. If we admire
the heroic spirit which carried our fathers thro'
the struggle of the Revolution; if we read their
history with pride, and with Joy for their vir-
tues and endurance; if we thank God for such
fathers, and for the liberties which their valor
established Tor our enjoyment, let us at least
love those Liberties as fervently as they did,
and bear, with manly fortitude, whatever sac
ritces may be necessary to their preservation.
The sacrifice is in progress. Its tokens lade
yonder hearse asit wends its way to the grave.
Its tokens are visible in these habliments of
mourning Its tokens are manifest in all these
sighs and tears and tender words of sympathy.
Let the sacrihce-though oostly-be made with
heroic cheerfulness, as it was with the dead
When saw the cortege pass-some months
since-with the bodies of Isaac Nigh and his
comrade, could not help the thought,-"They
died for me, and for all of us here at home"
And when looked upon the face of Chester
Buckland yesterday, l could not suppress the
feeling,-"He died for me, and for all OF us here
Mt home" And so it is, of truth They had
no interests at stake on the battle field which
you and have not. Their lives were no more
due to the issues of the impending national cri-
a nd mi, i
for themselves than for us. Verify we are their
debtors to-day. Let us confess the obligation
The same principles may be affirmed, OF
course, of all our volunteers. They have gone
not more for themselves than for us. They are
our representatives in the field. Let us ac-
knowledge the debt we owe them.
To go into the war from motives of selfish
character Is, of course, wrong. There should
be no desire of gain merely, no desire of mill
tary renown merely, no motives of ambition
But there never have been, in the worlds his
tory, more-truly heroic men than those who have
now become soldiers from motives of patriotism
and convictions of duty. Such do seem to IL
lustrate in very high degree the sublime vir-
tue of self-sacrice for the welfare of others
This virtue was manifested in its highest form
by the Lord Jesus Christ, who laid down his
life for men. 1t is not possible for one man to
die for another in the sense in which Christdied
for men. But John makes the case of Christ
| an example; and claims that eve ought to Law
down our lives for the brethren" Thus the
principle of self-sacrifice for others. even ia
death, is justified and enforced by the word Of
God. 1t is nobly illustrated in the action of our
soldiers-at least so far as they volunteer from
pure and unselfish motives. / hope the spirit
Of war for its own sake-the spirit Of conquest
may never be developed in tho bosom
Of the American people. Let US rather
have the spirit of peaceful industry, and prefer
to use the plowshare rather than the sword, the
pruning-ho hook rather than the spear. But yet
let Us cultivate those virtues which lead us to
esteem peace and quiet less than integrity and
justice towards all,-those virtues which will
make us willing to die rather than consent Ia
decentralization and the downthrowing of our
institutions, or their poisoning with the virus
of evil. We have right to be in conflict with
evil. 1t is our duty TO resist its encroachments
when It il assails the fundamental principles OF
justice and truth. No doubt we should rather
bear evil than do il; but have never learned
that it is wrong to endeavor to prevent II gigan-
tic iniquity from establishing itself in perman.
ent power.
These few words, trust are fitted, lst to
help each one Of you to bear every sacrifice de.
manded now by the welfare of the nation, with
brave heroism. If the soldier falters not on the
battlefield, falter not ye who remain at home.
Be heroically resigned TO every hardship, and
every painful afiiction that grows out Of this
unhappy struggle. 1t is lawful. surely, to hope
and pray for its speedy termination; but far bet.
ter to hope that the right may prevail, and, by
prevailing, terminate it. But whatever saeri-
nee is demanded Of us in order TO sustain the
right, that let us make with all eheerfulness.
What has been said, hope will also help to
show what debt Of gratitude il due TO one who
nights our battles from pure and patriotic mo-
tiyes. All such, deserve the high esteem Of their
coontry.men. Let them be held in that high