The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-04-29
BURLINGTON WEEKLY HAWKEYE

BURLINGTON WE
What has the Nation gained BY
the War:
Henry Ward Beecher, in bis Fort Sum
ter Grafton, said:
Has this long and weary strife been an
unmingled evil? Has nothing been gain.
eds Yes, much-the nation has attained
10 its manhood. Among Indian customs
is one which admits young men to the
rank of warriors, only after seven trials OF
hunger, fatigue, pain, endurance-they
reach their station not through years but
ordeals. Our nation has suffered, and now
is strong. The sentiment Of loyalty and
has been rooted and grounded; we have
something to be proud Of, and pride helps
love. Never so much as now, did We love
our country. Great applause.] But four
such years Of education in ideas, in the
knowledge of political truth, In the love OF
history, in the geography Of our own coun-
try, almost every inch Of which we have
ed before. There il half hundred years
advance in four. We believed In our in
situations and principles before, but now
we know their power. It is one thing to
look upon artillery and be sure that it ID
loaded; 1t is another thing to receive its
discharge. Laughter.l We believed in
the hidden power stored in our instltu-
ton laundering like Mount Sinai at all
those that worshipped the calf at the foot
of the mountain. A people educated and
moral are competent to all the exigencies
of national life-a vote can govern better
than crown. We have proved it. Jap
piause.l A people Intelligent and religious
are strong il all economic elements. They
they are not easily infla,ned, and when
Justly incensed not easily extinguished;
they are patient in universities, endure
cheerfuIly needful burdens, tax themselves
for real wants more royalty than any
priuce would dare to tax his people; they
pour forth without stint relief for the suf-
iering of war, and raise charity out OF the
realm OF dole into a muniticent duty OF
benefcence. The habit of industry among
freemen prepares them to meet the ex-
haustion Of war with increase of produc.
tiyeneSs commensurate with the need that
exists. Their habits Of skill enable them
lat once to supply such armies as only
freedom can muster, with arms and NUM-
tons such as only free industry can create.
ward repairs the mischief of war with &C.
lesity almost as great as that with which
the ocean heals the seams gashed in it by
the keel of the blowing ship. Free society
is fruitful! OF military genius 1t comes
when called; when no longer needed 1t
falls back AS waves do to the levei of the
common sea; that no wave may he greater;
that the undivided water, with proof OF
strength so great. yet in its infancy, we
stand up among the nations Of the world,
asking no privileges, asserting no rights,
hut quietly assuming our place, and deter
mined to be second to none in the race Of
civilization aud religion. OF AL nations,
we are the most dangerous, and the least
to be feared. daughter and aprlause.]
await upon enemies that assault, W they
are sufficiently understood, daughter but
We are not u dangerous people, because We
are warlike. All the Arrogant attitudes of
this nation, so offensive to foreign Govern.
ments, were inspired by slavery &ad under
the administration of its minions. Our
tastes, our habits, our interests and our
This nation was founded by the common
people for the common people. We are
seeking to en.body In public economy more
liberty with higher justice aud virtue than
have. been organized before. BY the neces-
sity OF our doctrines We are put In sympa-
thy with the masses Of men in all nations.
II il not our business to subdue nations.
OuS aO 0ukuA0ut V00 SOWoI9 "a lAC GOu1MOI
people. The vulgar ambition. Of mere
as it belongs to universal hu-
man nature, may tempt US, but it is with
stood by the whole force ofOur prinaiple, our
habits, our precedents and our legends. We
acknowledge the obligation which our bet
ter political principles lay upon " to act
an example more temperate, humane and
Just than monarchal governments can: We
will not suffer wrong, and still less will We
inftict 1t upon other nations. Nor are we
concerned that 80 many ignorant of our
conflict for the present misconoeive the
reasons Of our invincible military ZEAL
Why contend. say they, for . little territory
that you do not need? Because It is, ours.
daughter and applause.l Because it Is the
interest Of every citizen to save It from be-
coming fortress and refuge OF iniqpity.
This nation ie our house aud our fathers
house, aud accursed be the man who. will
More territory than We need England,
that il not large enough to be our pocket
[laMghterl, may think that 1t 10 more than
they need, but We are better judges Of
Whist We need than they are. Shall phi
himself against . robber. sWhy do you
need 20 much money" But We will not
reason with such questions. When any
foreign nation willingly will divide their
territory, and give IL cheerfully away, W
will answer tho question Why are We tight
ing for territory (ieughter] at present. for
I pass to the considefation Of benefits that
accrue to the Sonth; in distinction frem
the rest Of the nation. tho South re.ps only
suffering, but good seed lies buried under
the furrows Of war that peaae will bring 70
harvest. First, deadly doctrines have been
purRed away in blood. Iho subtle poison
Of secession was Z perpetual thread Of rev.
|olution. TIE sword has ended that dan
phtiosophy, the people have settled rs
fact .tApplsnse.l There can he Nc
permanent Government where each inte-
grail particle has liberty 70 lily or Who
would venture upon q voyage on = sh!y
each plank and timber Of which nigh,
withdraw at its pleasures Laughter and
snoIanss.3 But The people nave ze..sone,
81. the logic OF the sword and the ballot
aud they hav. declared that States are in
seperahle parts Of the National Govern.
mont They are not sovereign. STATE
rights remain, but Sovereignty e . right
higher than Ill others, and that has beer
.meds into = colpmon stock for the, benefi,
of all [Applause.l All further agitation