The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-09

Many persons who talk very lippantly about
the war really do not understand what they
,ro 'slking about. They deplore the whole
tbin, "a = most terrible national affiiction. In
tbat thov ar. quite right. They wish the strife
were ended ana the country restored to Its
oricin,l tranouititv and prosperity. In that
they are Joined by all |. 'e people OF the North
OF all political opinio ns and a.. '''ineu,s' . u'
when they condemn the war I'm she ans.
when they cry out against e d,o
principle that war is a. SIMPLY ="
.,,,a,, wb.. wrong, per Sc, and that
so,nns lover can justify it, they think
"'" ID speak like philosophers, rather than
men; like angels, rather than the mortal
beings who are much lower than the angels.
War, no doubt, is horrible Even heather
writer, in referring to IT, exclaimed, "belId,
bella, horrioc belld" Nor can it be expected
that the least cultivated of the people of this
highly civilized age will regard the fearful
physical and moral evils of war with any feel
ing of favor. War, for its own sake, can and
should find no sympathy In human breast.
But there are evils even greater than the evil
OF war, and it becomes sensible men, and even
Christian men, to draw distinction between a
war that is not just, and a war that is war
Eanted by motives and objects which may JUS
tify even its fearful consequences, or, at least,
render them tolerable, for the sake Of the great
ends of social and political happiness which
war alone can rescue from destruction.
But there are sentimentalists who never can
separate means from its purpose; who never
can accommodate their metaphysical theories
and conceits to the practical affairs and neces-
stiles Of actual life. When they speak OF war
they contemplate only Its shocking conflict
and carnage. They see only the frightful col
Bslon Of embattled ranks; the heaps OF dead
and dying men stretched cut upon the ensan-
guined field, and they think Of the widows and
orphans created by the merciless slaughter o
The last battle. But they are impractical
,.tfamers, who revolt instinctively from al
violence whatever, without perceiving tina
all the best victories which Christian civiliz1
ton, in the last few centuries, has won owe
barbarism, have been achieved by means of th
mailed hand ofwar.
And, now that we are engaged in the dreaC
fll civil contest that has so unhappily divide
and convulsed our country, what is the par
amount idea that should impress our mind
and reconcile us to the conflict? Not tn
love of military glory; not the low ambition
of gaining success in a mere game of physica
strength or moral pluck. Triumph won il
anysuch struggle would be not only worthless
but dishonorable. But in this war nation i
striving for its life against Rebellion.
The Government is fighting for the princi
pie of nationality. We are endeavoring tC
uphold the inestimable principle that the laws
Of State are supreme, until altered or re
Pealed by the popular will that made them
and that unless they are maintained in
their rightfiil authority, the fundamental prin-
ciple Of all government is effectualy subverted
and destroyed. Therefore, the war should be
supported for the sake of its object, and for.
eign powers should not interfere with an Ad
ministration which is fighting the battle o
legitimate authority against rebellion.