The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-07-08
MORALS 0F THE WAR.

We are often told that war is demoralizing.
1t is an assertion over which philanthropists
sigh, and trembling mothers weep. 1t is the
strongest argument of the peace society, for
the moral welfare of people, being higher
than any other, no nation can afford to become
prosperous free at the price of becoming
wicked. If war always leaves people worse
than they would have been without it, then
war should be abolished at whatever COST
We deny the premises in toto. War is no
more demoralizing than any other pursuit that
calls an equal amount of human energy into
action. Is it any more so than politics Any
more so than trade? Any more so than
wealth and luxury and power? 1t is the
plethora of commerce, and the effeminacy
that follows it, that emasculates the vigor of
nation, leaves it bloated and impotent,
victim to the first attack. The essence of
though there are many painful exhibitions of
this trait at the present time, yet on the other
hand when have we seen so many noble ex-
amples of self-sacriice for the common good
The truth is, war is severe test of charac-
ter. 1t offers lofty incentives on the one
hand, degrading temptations on the other
One year of martial experience develops and
proves us more than many of peaceful life
The youth is ready to lay down his life for
his country, but can he bear to lose it by
marches, by needless hunger and deprivation,
| by neglect or abuse from unworthy comman :
ders, by labors uncrowned by laurels by faith
full service with only conscience for reward :?
Can he bear to see brazen arrogance promo
ted, while modest merit is passed by? While
| fighting for justice and freedom, can he en-
dure in their behalf injustice and oppression?
| These are severe trials, bitter tests, but the
true patriot must meet them, or prove un-
worthy of the name. Many are not proof to
such temptations; they become embittered,
reckless, demoraized. Many more, oh how
many, rise nobly to meet the OCCASION
CHEEKY and loyal. brave and patient, they not
only do and dare, but they submit and smile.
These, whether officers or privates, whether
vilifed in command or victimized in the
ranks, are the true heroes of the hour. They
form the wealth of the nation, in the day
/ when she counts up her jewels. "Greater
love hath no man than this, that man lay
down his life for his friends"
War is forcing process; it accelerates de-
velopment, and abridges time. 1t opens a
brefer road to the goal of human life. 1t
arouses tho ught, excites emotion, inspires &C
ton. We are all living faster and with fuller
vitality than heretofore, in times of peace
The father shuddering, like Abraham at the
altar, the mother, weeping like Mary at the
sepulcher, have each condensed in brief Pc
riod many years of life. The brave boys who
fell on the late battle fields, whose blood is
not yet all washed away by autumnal rains
I whose example is immortal and whose mem.
ory blossoms in the dust, these boys have
crowded into fifteen months, the discipline
the suffering, the experience of years. Ma
) tured by cheerful loyalty and manly endur
ance, theirs was the ripeness of October and the
bloom of June. They have 1" fought the
good fight and finished their course.'' The
struggle was brave and brief. We too who
survive are rapidly undergoing change. W.
:, are growing better or worse. We are passing
through the furnace, to come out vessels o
honor or dishonor. This war is stampins
: its impress upon all our hearts, and it rest
, with us to choose whether it shall leave
stigma or crown Springfield Republican.