Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-01-05
NattonaI RetrIbutIon.

EAoNA VIZ aAlAN RNHNHNah . -
We do not believe the history of the world
affords one solitary example Of national Sin
which has not been followed by ~hationalr re-
tribution. The punishment of individual
transgressors may be deferred to a future
state, but nations have no future existence.
If il could be possible to-fnd an empire
which always adhered to the maxims of JUS
tice and wisdom, you should find one whose
power and prosperity would be as lasting as
time. The greatest Of modern nations
Eneland-will one day add another name. to
the long catalogue of fallen empires. She
is now in the meridian Of her glory;1but the
bloody stains of her Indian conqueste and
the commercial %cupidity which has made mer-
chandise of the souls and bodies of mankind
are not forgotten in the chancery of Heaven.
Even if African slavery were the gigantic
crime which Exeter Hall proclaims it, and
even If the silly delusion Of its fanatics were
true that the South is now punished for the
sin of slavery, what must be the punishment
Of that nation which introduced slavery into
the South, which forced it upon our forefathers
in spite Of their circumstances and which
had at one time the, monopoly of the slave
trade Of the world, which never gave il up
till its interests changed its principles2
The North need not expect to escape the
universal law Of rettibntion which has visited
every nation that disregarded the rights and
destroyed the peace Of others. For all the
national sins of the United States-and young
as that country was in years, it was old in in
iquity-it is equally responsible, to say the
least Of it, with the South. In oil the 6libus
tering of the old United States her agency
has been as great as hat of the South.
Even in regard to slavery, New England d.
vides with Old England the honor Of estab-
fishing slavery in the South and if the South
has owned the labor, the North has reaped
the principal share of the profits. If the
South is receiving its punishment, we cannot
expect that the North will escape. AT pres
ent il is having a very agreeable time, carry
ing on Q war and feetng none of its Perils al
home. 1t cannot expect, even upon it;
own ~favorite idea that slavery is a sin which
provokes the vengeance of Heaven, to escape
retribution. 1t will one day have to drink the
same bitter cup which snow pressed upon the
lips of the Sonth, aggravated by the punish
ment of its crimes in the present war. 1t il
inconceivable that the Almighty should fai
to visit such gigantic wickedness as the pres
ent invasion, and the inhuman and a~trociou.
manner in which it is carried on, with Hi,
most signal displeasure. War, such war al
even the prosecuted South has never yet suf
fered civil war, not sectional, bloody anC
brutal war of races at its own doors; war o
those who have not against those who have
will yet rage at its own hearthstone, and con
vert its fairest fields into bowling deserts
There are men yet living who will see tht
flames Of the First Revolution rekindling il
all their homes in the Northern States. l
such a community as Fredericksburg, pure
and innocent beyond u comparison il
reduced to such suffering, what will be
the fate of the polluted Northern cit
ies-the Sodoms and Gomorrahs of a de
PRAYED and infdel race?