Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-12-01
VICTORY OR ANNIH1LATIoN.

DR.. Elliott, the patriotic Bishop of Geogia, in
a late sermon preached in Savannah, exhibits
the alternative before US, in few sentences
pregnant with all the fire of a prophet anda pa.
triot. These are, indeed, words that burn:
esForward, my hearers, with our shields lock-
ed and our trust in God, is our only movement
now. It is too late even to go backward. We
might have gone backward a year ago, when
our armies were victoriously laundering at the
gates of Washington, and were keeping at
bay the Hessians OF the est had we been con-
tent to bear humiliation for ourselves and degra-
dation for our children. But even that is no
longer left us. 1t is now victory or uncOndl-
tional submission submission not to the con-
servative and Christian people of the North, but
to party of inidel fanaics, with an army of nee-
dy and greedy soldiers at their backs. Who shall
be able to restrain them in their hour of victory
When that moment approaches, when the danger
shall seem to be over and the spoils are ready
to be divided, every outlaw will rush to fill their
ranks, every adventurer will rush to swell their
legions, aud they will sweep down upon the
South as the hosts of Attila did upon the fertile
fields of Italy. And shall you find in defeat that
mercy, which you did not find in victory You
may slumber now, but you will awake to a fear
full reality. You may lie upon your beds of ease,
and dream that when it is all over you will be
welcomed back to all the privileges aud immuni-
| ties of citizens, but how terrible will be your
disappointment! lou Will have an IgnObio
| home, overrun bv hordes of insolent slaves and
rapacious soldiers. You will wear the badge
/ of conquered race. Pariahs among your fellow
lcreatures, yourselves degraded, your delicate
wives and gentle children thrust down to meni-
al service, insulted, perhaps dishonored. Think
you that these victorious hordes made up in the
| large part of the sweepings of Europe. will leave
| you any thing? AS well might the lamb expect
mercy from the wolf. Power which is checked
and fettered by adoubtful contest is very differ
ent from power victorious, trium phant and irres-
lponsible. The friends whom you have known
and loved at the North; who have sympathized
with you in your trials and to whom you might
] have looked to tor comfort and protection, will
have enough to do then to take care of them
Eselves. The sur ses that sweep over US will car
ry them away in Its refuent tide. Oh for the
tongue of prophet, to paint for you what IS be-
lore you, unless you repent and turn to the Lord,
and realize that ssHis hand is upon all them tor
good that seek Him. The language of Scripture
4 is alone adequate to describe it, ssThe earth
/ mourneth and langusheth: Lebanon is ashamed
| and hewn down: Sharon is like wilderness
fThey that did feed delicately are desoiate IL
the streets they that were brought up in scarle
embrace dunghlIss They ravished the women
of Zion and the maids in the cities of judah.
They tock the young men to grind, and the
4 children fell under the wood. The joy of oul
lheart is ceased; our dance Is turned into mourn
ing The crown has fallen from our head W.
s, unto us that have sinned."