Winchester daily bulletin. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn) 1863-1863, 1863-04-14

j
peace in such association became
hopeless, and We sought to 20 quietly
TO ourselves, the intolerablo tralcrn.
ty was sought TO be forced upon ua 1T
the point Of the bayoneL War l8 be.
ing waged upon US to torce Us to comc
back and live with them, and quarrel
with them forever Could people,
and the war tney wage, assume more
hateful aspects
There is great wickolness in all
wars, and the responsibility tor war
is an awful one but we arc not re,
sponsble for the present war 1t was
forced upon Us. 1--WE declare before
, Heaven and in the face OF mankind,
that we desire only to be let alone,
in the language OF our noble Presl'
dent, is the sentiment Of our poOpLo,
and their motto in this war, aud has
already become historical. We sought
to infringe upon no rights, to destroy
no interests, to take no lives. Tho
Guilt of the immense bloodshed, and
woe, and waste OF this war, rests upon
other heads than ours.
The character Of the war IS, with
us, essentially and necessarily reilgSouS.
Our loyalty, like that Of these ancient
| Hebrew patriots, is, or should be, both
pious and patriotic. They cling to
the glorious memory OF "JerusaIom
both as their capital city and tho seat
OF the Temple. Everything dear and
sacred is religious, and 80 arc the OBJ
legations am duties connected there,
with. Domestic, social and political
blessings, all depend upon the sane
tions Of religion. In its simplest form,
the war with US is tor freedom Of con-
scicnco-freedom to interpret the Bl-
Bile and worship God according to the
dictates Of our own consCicnces. On
the part Of our enemies, failing to con
vince US by their camorouS and soph-
istical logic, they now seek TO torco
their opinions upon us.
The war, with us, should become
religious, in view Of the past wrongs
done us, the blood already shed, the
suffering already endured, the hato,
ful and unjust oppression sought to be
imposed upon US, the unprovoked
character Of the contest, and the over
whelming odds against us.
Moreover. consider tho religious
character Of the sympathiea clustering
around every Confederate officer an(
soldier. Daily and nightly, our wives
mothers, sisters, fathers, children, am
friends, lift their praying hearts t
the throne Of heavenly grace in oul
behalf. To-day, all over our land
? where the sanctuary has not became
f desolate, nor the fires died upon tht
alter, and where the throngng feet o
, the peaceful assembly still come, am
the accustomed voice is still hoard il
the pulpit, how many prayers 20 u
to God for u.s.
Can the South be our home, if i
should, with all these sacred treasures
of the heart and conscience, become
the prey of tho spoiler? Never will
live in that glorious land after it shal
, have been despoiled and degraded!
= (Here the officer Of tho guard, OF
tho wall interposed and said
"Mr. preacher, if you will preach
, religious sermon, you can so on bu
t if you want to make war speech
you had better stop
Col. Gillespie replied:
7 1--WE have obtained permission tt
: hold this service in our own way"
. Officer of the guard;
. "If you will stick TO tho book, We
will hear you; but we don't want
. war speech"
Col. Gillispi:
81 did not intend it for you"
Officer of the guard
"You must preach religious ser
mon"
Col. Gillaspie:
"We will cease if you command 1t
but will not suffer you 10 dictate
what l shall say"
Gen. Churchill, rising: