The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-04-18

but II IL Time 70 draw this discussion 70 Q close.
that can belal nation, though it Is not 0s great
ess and 81 this great evil civil war Y the most
satisfaction Of rejecting. notwithstanding the
oarparities inflicted upon the Union men in the
seeding States that the contest has been carried
apt, In all ages and countries, to mark the pro-
gress OF civil war. Still. it is dire calamity. I
want words to express the sorrow with which
rom the nrst, have contemplated, and unceas-
1ngly contemplate, the necessity laid upon us, to
wage this war for the integrity of the Nation
Few persons, think, have entertained visions
more glowing of the amount of blessings stored
Of the states had already see seen at them expand
which We're the numbers at the time of my birth,
to family of thirty four States and population
aug and reason and imagina
raj growth of the country. But numbers and
space are but the relations of material things. /
hidden, and late revealed-the idea of form Of
admits; prodigal of blessings to the millions now
rich inheritance to the millions on millions that
Snouid follow us: grew up beneath the shadow
q :, our beautiful flag and often when have seen
at the thought of the beloved and happy land,
whose union was emblazoned on its streamy
folds. On hundred festive and patriotic oc-
casions, my heart has dwelt-would it had been
more worthtly-on the grateful theme, and my
prayer to Heaven has been. that it might be
hushed In death, rather than it should be COM
PEELED to abandon that joyous strain. Not with
out deep solicitude, saw the angry clouds gath
ering in the horizon North and South; and de-
voted the declining years Of my life, with kind
OF religious conservation, to the attempt to
freshen the sacred memories that cluster round
that dear and venerated name which need not
repeat; memories which had survived the null
tiplying causes Of alienation, and were SO well
calculated to strengthen the cause Of the Union.
To these humble efforts, and the time and labor
expended upon them-truly labor of love-I
would, as Heaven is my witness, have cheerful
400 <nfv >x1<fp,r
Icould have averted the catastrophe For that
cause, should have thought few care-worn
country. ~ -s,,l.l- -T-9g Z "a!
But it could not be. A righteous Providence
in its wisdom has laid upon as the performance
Of this great and solemn duty. is now plain
could not be longer delayed. The leaders of the
rebellion tell US themselves that they had plot
might have been postponed for four years or for
eight years, but it was sure, in no long time, to
come; and Il, by base compliance, we could have
fallen with redoubled violence on our children
Let us then meet it like men. 1t must needs
man by whom the offense cometh. Let us show
ourselves equal to the duty imposed upon island
faithful to the trust to which we are called. The
the Constitution and the law of civilization and
freedom, of man and of God. Let us engage in
it with a steadness and fortitude, a courage and
a zeal, patience and resolution, a hope and a
cheer, worthy of the fathers from whom we are
descended, of the country we defend, and of the
privileges we inherit There is call and duty;
a work and a place for all for man and for wo-
man, for rich and for poor, for old and for young
for the stout-hearted and strong-handed-for
all who enjoy, and all who deserve to enjoy, the
priceless blessings at stake. Let the venerable
forms of the Pilgrim Fathers; the majestic ina
ges of our Revolutionary sires, and Of the sages
ious expectations of the friends of liberty abroad
awaken at last to the true cause and the
great issues of this contest; let the hardships
and pertlS OF our brethren in the field. and the
fresh made graves of the dear ones who have
fallen let every memory of the past and every
feeling that can nerve the arm or fire the heart.
or elevate and purify the soul of patriot rouse
and guide and cheer, and inspire rs, to do, and
if need be, to die, for our Country.