The Portland daily press., 1862-12-06

charge the responsibilities of freemen and cit
izens of mighty republic.
Our political and social Institutions are be-
ing subjected to new tests which promise the
most favorable result. The process is, of ne
cessity, long and fearful. But the progress of
civilization and christianity has always been
slow, and attended by violence. Let us not,
however, look only on the sad scenes Of the
conflict, and refuse to be comforted by the
prospect of ample compensations for all that is
to be sacrificed or suffered.
The trial now pending is developing and ex-
posing to the nations, the inherent power of
Republican institutions, in .; ;remarkabe man
ner. The ability of our national system to de-
fend itself from domestic enemies has already
astonished the world. The young giant of the
west has already displayed u vitality more Wig
orous and buoyant, and wisdom more mature,
than anything exhibited in the history OF ma
tions. This demonstration Is already Begin
ming to produce its legitimate influence in
moulding the sentiments aud feelings of the
old world in our favor. Ou-successes are fast
compelling the nations who fave hated us to
respect us, England at first kewed our strug-
gle with wavering sentiments. Soon,-and it
was not strange-old dislikes and deep-rooted
prejudces came to the surface, and the lead
ing expressions and naoiE- iations were de-
cdedly in sympathy Y ss the confederacy.
There were expressions foe the government,
but these were too faint, o ne thunder of the
opposition was too loud to allow of their being
heard. But already powerful reaction has
commenced. Powerful writes in Europe have
looked beyond the immediate deplorable con-
sequences, to the nature of the conflict. And
every serious effort to understand the nature
and purpose of the gigantic struggle, brings
with it new reasons for modifying most fthose
opinions which were hastily advocated by the
,.,f ft.l,
outbreak. The Westminster Review for Oc-
tober says--"The symptoms of reaction in Eng
lish opinion are now. as might be expected, be-
coming every day more decided; the time
which has elapsed has allowed of study, the
requisite information has been acquired, and
before long, in spite of exasperated feeling,
more full measure of justice will be meted out
to the North than it has yet received at Eng
lish hands" This reaction has been led on
by several powerful works by leading minds
in Europe which have discussed our present
struggle in a mastery manner. And it is the
more grateful as it is the II re valuable, be-
cause it has been the result, pot of our own
exertions or agencies, but II the obtruding
merits OF our cause, and in spite OF foreign
preiudices, and of the stead ,exeriions of do
mestic enemies. 1t is the W lcome ebb of a
powerful tide which no powe on earth can ar
rest. The friends Of progressive christian civ
ilization will throw Themselves upon its rising
waves, followed by the millions OF the common
people; and the proud minisfer and mnions
of monarchs will not be far behind.
Meanwhile we know full u, that the strug-
gle now pending is a legitim e and meritable
conflict between the two kinds of civilization
which have been working togsthar in our ma
tional system from the outset, each kind ex-
treme in its characteristic hAst form of re-
publicanism and the worst form of slavery
No constitution, no administ alton has ever,
or can ever bring them into easy cooperation.
They are in their nature and nflucnce, unlike
and antagonistic They are he flesh and the
spirit which war against each other. This an
tagonism is not in the races. bllt in the systems
They never worked in harmony, and never
will.
Our present conflict is tie seyerest and
most deIaonstFative trial of the relative
strength aud vitality Of these two forms OF civ
ilizatiOn, that the world has ever witnessed.
Every day increases the intersst with which il
is viewed b. rejecting men both at home and
abroad As the conflict adyasxeas each party
Is forced back upon its reserved resources
Neither will surrender till exhausted. The in
reference of other nations will only bring such
nations into the ring, and increase the scope
and fury OF the contest The issues cannot be
thus changed. Nay, such Intervention in be-
half of the South would only serve to range
monarehists on the side of tyranny, where
they are supposed by many to belong. And
the resnlt would be one grand and awful con-
test between freedom and oppression. And,
at length, the world is destined to know which
is the more powerful. Which is destined to
triumph ?-is question of tremendous inter
est, the greatest question now before the
world. That is destined to be answered by
the turning of another: Which can command
the greatest resources? Both parties are con-
fident of ultimate victory. We shall see which
is disappointed. Should it prove in the end,
that freedom gradually withdraws from slavery
its vital valves and its main reliance; should
the youthful Hercules lift Anteus from the
ground and squeeze him to death in his arms,
the world, at all events the lovers Of freedom
throughout the world, will have occasion to
thank God for the desperate experiment and
dreadful encounter. Already the grand crisis
approaches, 1t is wonderful how steadily it
has moved along, as if propelled by some di-
vine, unseen hand. No one can rejoice in the
rivers of blood and tears on which this enter
prise is borne ;but shall we not rejoice in the con-
viction that these bloody sacrifices viii obtain q
glorious redemption, both for our nation and for
multitudes OF the enslaved? THANK God that
the results promise to be rich compensation
for all they shall cost. | hail in the distance
an auspicious morning. begin to hope that
the solid foundations of the fathers shall yet
sustain superstructure worthy of them. The
expectations of oppressed humanity which
have long hung upon the fortunes of the Re-
public, shall not be put to shame. The morn
ing dawneth. Bright streams of rosy light
illumine the east. And what il the dawn be
long in bursting into perfect day? What if it
be an oriental dawn which commences near
midnight? 1t shall be followed by an oriental
day. The long and cheerful hours of that
eloudess day shall give the emancipated mill
lions opportunity TO demonstrate that their
cause was worthy of all this toll, this sacrifice
and blood. A contest so dreadful and thorough
shall need no repetition.
There are some plants which blossom but
once in a century. Generations must culti-
vate them with benevolent hands, in patient
hope, and be grateful for their grotcth.
Their joy must be the joy of anticipation :
sympathy with the joy of coming generations.
Be this our joy, if need be. We will thank
God that this fearful conflict is not all to be
left to our children. We will rejoice that we
may do and suffer something for our race
which will be worthy of being remembered.
We will thank God that we may contribute
something to the vital values of the world.