Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-07-20

what freedom is. Freedom is not to lie down
at ease and let the country go to ruin, hoping
somebody else will save it; to go about your
business, and talk largely of your rights,
while you lift not a finger to protect the gov
eminent which secures to you those rights,
Some seem to suppose freedom means enioy-
ing all The advantages Of free people, and
bearing none of the burdens; they complain
that in a time of war a heavy pressure is
brought to bear on them, and call everything
not justifiable in time of peace, oppression
and injustice. Of course things are done,
and power is used, in waf, which were
not lawful in peace. 1t is the very
price you pay for being a free people
A despOt yields the strong arm at all times !;
he keeps standing armies in times of peace /;
but free people do not; hence, when war
comes the latter are peculiarly defenseless /;
the whole burden OF creating and maintaining
an army comes upon them all at once; then
for the first time they feel that their govern
ment is not only benefactor, but power.
Foreign nations, when sncering at our repub-
lican institutions, have always said :'"Let
them be tested by long war, and they will be
found wanting; there is not force enough in
republic to carry on war; the people will re-
bel against authority and the republic crumble
INTO ruins. We have said in reply: ga re-
public CtU stand the test; we have conferred
on our government powers to meet such emer-
gences: we believe our people will submit to
righttul authority, and that it is safer to rely
on free, intelligent people, than on standing
armies" Now the hour of trial has come,
and the world is watching to see whether re-
publican is a strong or weak form of govern
ment-whether it can sustain itself or not?
On you, citizens of these towns and states it
rests to prove to all despots, and lovers of des-
potlsm, that free people is willing to submit
to the power it has itselfcreated and to uphold
the form of government it has chosen. On
you it rests to prove to the whole world, that
treemen can be trusted, that this repruach
can never again be hurled at us.
Fourth. Drafting is test of your patriot
ism. Not of your neighbors, but of yours
Volunteering was the first test; it was re-
sponded to nobly, and for time both govern
ment and people supposed it would be
enough. But it has not proved so and now
comes a severer test. How will it be met?
If you love your country you will say, at is
right, will stand in my lot like a man. If |
am drafted will go like man, wthoutwhin-
ing or regretting. | will even, God giving me
strength, glory in the opportunity to lay down
my life, if need be, for my country and for
freedom" If you do not love your country
you will groan and talk of injustice and op.
preston; of what it costs you to leave your
business and your family, as if it did not cost
every other man just as much, and if the
cause was not worth the sacrifice.
Now, too, it will be proved whether as a ma
ton we are worth saving or not; for if we
are not willing to pay the price of liberty we
surely are not worthy of freedom and a just
God will probably leave us to become a bye
word IA Missing and rcproach to all people
But we shall prove ourselves worthy of it, and
when drafted our citizen soldiers will go forth
manfuHy to meet the foe, and to win victories
which shall transmit to coming generations Il
country stronger, freer, more united and sta
BILE than was bequeathed to us. SO we be-
lieve-God grant the prediction may prove
true !-Sprtngfeld Republican.