The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-09
The Value of the War.

The protracted duration of the war Is
generally regarded as q great evil. In some
respects It may be 80, but rs compared with
the aggregate interests affected by the opera
tions Of the contest, it is not. Had this war
come to an end in brict period II would have
settled nothing. The rebellious south could
not in any short time have suffered enough
to teach her people the folly Of movement
Into which they allowed themselves to DO pro.
cipitated.
There was real need Of q great contest like
this to convince the world that the people Of
these free States are not sordid, mercenary,
cowardly or base. Such sacrifices as we
have made have no parallel since the days Of
Napoleconic wars, and those which preceded
them under the Republic. But much more,
was such protracted conflict needed to show
our actual military resources, and inculcate
a wholesome respect for the nation and its
people abroad, and the same time to try con.
clusions with the boastlul aristocracy OF the
south, which fancied II q matter Of perfect
case to build up southern military power,
and affected sublime contempt for the mud
sills of the north.
These are conclusions to which most reaec.
ting persons in tho free States have come in
theprogress Of this war. and with them tho
dread Of 10 protracted contest has vanished.
Gain has ceased to be the idol of tho Amcri-
can. Glory has been installed in its place.
And what is this thing called glory? Does II
pertain only to victory or to conquest? Of
what elements is French glory constituted I?
Is it not mingling Of terrible with triumph
ant memories of Waterloo and Marengo, Of
Moscow, Bereina, Leipsic, the Peninsula re-
verses, Austerlitz, the fall of tho Empire,
and the like? We think SO. The victories
won by the Republic and tho Empire would
have been nothing like what they now are
to the reader of history were II not for the
perils and sufGrngs, the awful disasters, the
sacrifices. the revcrses through which France
waded in blood and horror to secure the prize.
Waterloo derives less of glory from its VIC
tors than from its vanquished. Who now
feels any interest in the triumph Of Malbor-
ough? Yet they were tremendous victories.
Turn to the history Of the revolution, and
less interest attaches to tho Victories of York
town and.Saratago than % the anguinafy
struggles of Trenton. Monmouth, Princeton,
Germantown and Bradywinc. Thus II has
been throughout our whole career. We dwell
as much upon the dark pages as upon the
brightest. We do not shirk the horrors Of
Valley Forge, or Of Arnold's march through
tho wilderness of Maine to Quebec, or his
treason at West Point, or Hull's surrender
at Detroit, or the capture Of the Chesapeak
by the Shannon.
So It has been in the present war, and all
its events have in their way contributed to
strengthen the national character, and foster
the passion for glory. In fact, through this
seq Of blood and suffering, the great Repub.
lie of the Yankees is becoming tho worlds
clasic. and II is worth oil 1t has cost us of
money and lives to have achieved what wo
have, and to be what VIC feel ourselves. Let
no man be ashamed or weary Of this war.
II is destined to live in history rs one of tho
most remarkable contests Of modern temes.
-Noeth American.