Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-08-11
Tie Dnly of Good Cheer.

We commend to our readers the fol-
lowing excellent article, bearing the
above title, from the Brooklyn Union
1t contains statements of grand and
important truths which, though not
new to us, we cannot be too often re-
minded of, but, rather, should keep con-
stantly before US while the present great
national conflict is in progress.
1--WE are glad to see that the loyal
press takes the reverse at Petersburg
sensibly, neither endeayoring to under
estimate its Importance nor yielding TO
the momentary depression which was
was natural under the circumstances
We give in another column what we
deem correct estimate of the military
Importance of the repulse. We would
add few words of its moral bearing.
1t is not merely an error, it is a sad
and lamentable sin,to give way to gloom
unGer the influence of such an event
Even though the army had suffered q
reverse as complete and disastrous as
that which drove Mcclellan to Harri-
sons Landing-a reverse where each
one of seven days hard fighting was
followed by a retreat that might have
been victorious advance-the cause
for which it is lighting would be no less
sacred the principle at stake of no low
er value, the consequences of surrender
no less fatal. The war would be no less
one of self defense, the national life
which is assailed would be no less pre-
cious, the degradation and ruin which
would follow the domination of the
Southern aristocracy would be no less
certain. We cannot afford to forget for
single moment the causes of this war.
The nation was imperrilled, and to save
itself has taken up arms. However oft
en- it's efforts may be foiled, however oft
en- it's enemies may gain victories or its
armies suffer defeat, until that peril has
been wholly done away with to faIter is
to court failure, and failure is utter des-
truction; with us it is to CONQUER or to
perish If we do not conquer, our name
will be stricken from the roll of nations;
our flag will be torn in two; the insti-
tutions which, by acknowledgment of
all, have made us free, powerful, and
prosperous, will become weak if not
wholly valueless the experiment of
free popular government will be declared
decided adversely to liberty; our own
best faith, and the hope of the oppressed
everywhere, viii be cast down; personal
security, the priceless blessings of
strong and well sustained Government,
the safeguards of popular instruction
and an untrammelled church, will be no
longer ours; and the history of the
United States-the proudest the world
has ever witnessed-will be prematurely
closed, as brief as it was brilliant.
These issues are as immediate and
imperative as they are momentous They
are invo9rea IN ereyy, the slightest, act of our
daily life as citizens. In the perfo,Tmance of
the eomm0nest duties, and ia the temper of our
hearts zoe he{p to decide them. We cannot
overestimate their Importance. They
press upon us constantly the necessity
of being calm, resolute, brave and cheer
full. We may not always be hopeful;
we need never be despairing. We may
not always be able to see the light;
we need never deny that it will come
Every turn of the game of war, be it
for or against us, demands only new eff
forts-if adverse, in order that we may
retrieve it, if favorable, in order that
we may improve it. These efforts it is
our duty to make promptly and cordial
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