Washington telegraph., 1863-07-15

. human virtues are not conferred suddenly and
by miracle. We do not leap to them at once
from our own resolution. They are the result
of growth They pass through their epochs of
trial and faltering. They have their seasons
of weakness and more robust strength. Manv
of them wither and die; but those which sur-
vive grow in strength, and become part of our
nature. They are purified by fire. It is the
case with all Christian virtues-all which re-
quire labor, self-denial, endurance. They
come not to us spontaneously in perfection.
They cannot be relied upon untried. We ac-
quire them by suffering and trials. and they
become more exalted in dignity, and clothed
with higher moral beauty than if they had
been conferred upon us-easy gifts to passive
beings 1t solves the mystery of life the old
problem of evil
but we will not pursue the proper themes of
the pulpit. We desire only to speak of that
greatest of earthly virtues, which should now
occupy the heart of every Southern man and
woman. We speak of patriotism. We long to
inspire il where it may be wanting. To fan
into flame every slightest spark. To revive
all smouldering embers. To warn the weak
against its loss, and encourage the faltering to
gather strength for endurance. All depends
upon it. Life, liberty, honor. And the last
is greatest. What rich reward in a nation s
gratitude, and the admiration of postcritv is
reserved for those who hold out faithful unto
the end, or n0bly fall in the struggle. How
mournful for those hereafter who faint bv tbe
wayside, and wearied with effort and the de-
mands for repeated sacrifices, seek safety and
| lgnObe ease in the recantation of their once
fervent protestations They will cover their
| heads with shame, and their children in the
| third generation will mingle with their fellows
| in timid apprehension Of the casual word of
scorn to fall upon their lineage We have seen
this before in the descendants of the tories of
the revolution-how they have been cut off
from all high places of honor and trust. not
Wlthstanding their personal virtues. 1t is A
cruel legacy Let each one pray for strength
against it in the hour of temptation
These hours come to all-not once, but time
and again. Each must strengthen himself
continually, for the victory of principle over
self Is never permanent, however well assured
fol the time. 1t was in the boidness of the
claimed with impetuosity, Though l should
die with thee, yet will [ never deny thee" lie
meant it all. But before the cock crew he had
succumbed to the weakness of human nature:
and the fear of death caused him to DENY his
Saviour with oaths and cursing. He went out
in the bitterness Of selfhumIliation and wept
over his own degradation, Many are as con-
fdent Peter of their patriotism. MANY fail
as sadly in the hour Of ;rial
In times of peace and prosperity. Patriotism,
is the cheapest of virtues. We love the scenes
of our childhood. The memories of our homes
and Fairgrounds linger around our hearts.
In after years We grateful to the govern
ment which protects Us, under which we thrive,
and surround ourselves with all those social
accompaniments which give charm to life. All
this makes up love OF country. The most self
ish have gratitude, and desire of security
They enjUy III and recognize the source. and
call the feeling patriotism But they are not
all willing to sacrifice for its preservation.
The true sentiment of patriotism Is scarcely to
be recognized and distinguished from that of
the fourth of July orator, or selfish politician,
seeking place and emolument.
When hese scenes of peace and security are
broken up by some great disturbance, when
great fermentation of the public mind takes
place, when people are called upon to DO, and
dare, and suffer, for that country which all
profess to love, then the first separation takes
place. The lees are thrown off, and the pure
wine remains of those who love Their country
more than personal ease.
But new wine, however clear and pure, is
not yet made. 1t is always subject under new
circumstances to renewed lamentations, in
which the whole body is endangered. New
lees lying hidden in its substance become tur-
bulent, and muddy the whole mass. They.
too, are precipitated at length, and the wine is
left purer by their loss. This process occurs
over and over again with each succeeding year,
until the whole becomes pure and sound.
And thus in the succession of times of dan
ger, and of trouble; each new one develops
characters, who thought themselves sound,
and would have scorned the suspicion of inf
deity to the cause which they had sworn to
pport-dropping gradually away, wearied
with effort. broken by dependency, overcome
by fear, CT sadder STILL seduced by tempta-
tions Benedict Arnold was one of the most
brilliant patriots Of the early stages of our old
revolution. We had no braver or more gallant
soldier. He was ready to dare anything, or
sacrifice anything, for the cause of liberty.
But the continuance of the trial proved the
weakness of his nature, and the ignominy of
his fall oyershadowed and darkened the glory
of his services. During that same revolution,
SO pregnant with lessons to US of the present
time, there came periods of despondency over
the hearts of the people, and many of them
abandoned our cause, and were willing to find
refuge in passive submission to that govern
ment which they had sworn so earnestly to re-
nounce forever.
| We will have such changes of fortune, such
agitations of the public sentiment, such dan
gers to assail our patriotism now We h,. e
had them already; and many of those who en-
/ Al IL