Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-07-22
WHY DO PEOPLE DESIRE PEACE,

Il would be q curious and interesting chapter in
the history Of the unrevealed feelings of the human
heart if the motives prompting different classes OF
persons to desire the same end could be published
1t would at least exhibit how various and dlsslmi
lar are the considerations that unite men in COM
mon purpose. Perhaps, if all the people on thus
continent could speak with one mouth, they might
all declare that they desired peace The Black Re-
publican would, however, explain the kind Of peace
he desired the Northern democrat the kind OF
peace he desired; the Southerner the kind OF peace
he desired; and before the triple explanations had
ceased sounding in the air. the same triangular hgnt
would begin again that now occupies these three
parties. Most men prefer peace to war-the d'n'
Guilty is about the terms Of peace the concomltants
of peace, and the consequences OF peace, When
men agree upon these, of course, peace is made
But it is also curious to notice for what different
reasons people desire that such peace might be
made.
/. One class of persons, # their hearts could be
examined, would show that they were in favor OF
peace for the that peace would De favorable
to their business matters. Beyond this they have
no feeling or concern. If war was more conducive
to their plans of selfaggrandizement, they would
favor war. They are men of no sentiment more
tender than that which they feel in the hours OF
trade, and purposes no more generous than the
promptings Of heart that worshlps daily at the a.
tar of Mammon.
2. Another class desires peace, because it would
allow them an opportunity Of reeum,ng the enjoy
ments Of social life in the style of former times
They could see their friends, attend to their bust
| ness, and realize their pleasures as heretofore.
8. Others desire peace because they are gener-
ously SOLICITORS that the men who are exposing their
lives in battle should be relieved Of the pers Of the
soldiers duty, and be allowed to return again to
their happy homes.
| We refer to these three classes not as persons
who have absolutely no other influences operating
upon them, but as chiefly affected by such con-
siderations.
4. Another class, and it comprehends the persons
who occupy the right position in respect opeace,
may be described more fully.
They desire peace for moral reasons chiefly. They
lament the loss of life the waste of time, the ex-
haustion of national strength, the brutazing ten
denotes, the crime and misery, the physical inju.
ries, the social arrangement the political and civil
disturbances and Irregularities the spiritual inter-
ruptions, and the ecclesiastical hindrances incident
| to time of war. They desire that good and gra-
cious influences may ditfuse their wholesome cur
rent of moral instruction and edl6cation uninter-
ruptedly through the land For the sake Of the
gospel, of the church and Of personal piety, well
as of public blessings, they desire peace.
No unholy ambition, no selfish or sordid plans
no more WEAKNESS of trials, no lack Of manliness
courage and devotion to principle, govern them
Morally, they have been instructed, chastened AM
improved by the experience of affections, and nov
, having learned wisdom ind realized better deve
opment of character, they feel that they are pre-
pared in humble gratitude to receive peace as fron
the hand Of God in mercy, blessing which the
will know how to appreciate, use and not abuse.
To the extent that the country is filed with sue
people, we think is the ratio of the probability tbs
God will grant it peace
Our desires of peace should be worthy of b.
Christian character. We should be sure that it
q desire excited by such considerations as are hoI
orable to our principles and spirit as servants
God. When we 60 to the mercy seat to preser
our petition to the great King of Kings. that
would grant peace to our country, we should TAX
care that there be nothing in our motives that a
CUES against the righteousness of granting such
blessing as that which we supplicate at His hand
hearts that we are moved to desire that which v
ask, not for reasons that would prove US to be Sc
fish, unresigned to the Divine will, or uncoEcern'
about the great interests of the Redeemers kngdol
When we make our requests known unto the Scare
er Of hearts, We should see to it that we cherish
nquity, wish no evil. and do not ask amiss to CO
sumo it on our lusts. From whence come soo
and fghtings among yess Come they not hem
, 'eoen of your lusts that uar in your members?
lust, md Aaoe not ye kill and desire to hcpe 3
} ye hape not, because go ask not. Ie ask, and ,
ceire not, because gre DISK amiss that ye may CO
sumo it upon your lusts"-Richmond Christi
, Adoocate =
Let us seek peace of God in the right spirit,
! right purposes and in faith. He Can overwhe
our enemies, or change their plans, and strength
, our arms, and in His own wise way bring aoe
the most blessed peace upon the most excele
l terms.-Rich. Christian Adoocate