The Portland daily press., 1865-08-19
WAR AS AN EDUCATOR.

| has not always been all evil. Some good has
resulted from it to all past generations. The
progress of the race has been advanced by h
At certain periods in the history Of the world
human affairs had become SO sluggish that
nothing short of the excitements and terrors
of the battlefield could have aroused the peo.
pie and turned their steps into the paths q
progress. But it is notour purpose in this ar
tlcle to attempt to point out or discuss all the
advantages or disadvantages resulting from
war; Our object is to look at one phase of the
subject, and see what effect our recent war
will have upon emigration to this country.
Perhaps there is no school in which the geo
graphical knowledge of country is SO readily
learned by the masses as in the school of wal.
When reading Of battles or marches of great
armies, the people are always anxious to know
the "lay OF the land,p the mountain barriers
and the rivers and lakes which make I'D the
landscape. And in learning these things, they
acquire other knowledge of country which is
the seat OF war. When we were at war with
Mexico, the American people learned more of
the geography of that country, its population.
It's institutions and social conditions in sin
gle year than they ever knew before, or than
they would have ever known but for the war.
1t is so in all countries The natives of Eu-
rope have acquired more knowledge of our
country during the past four years than they
ever possessed before. We are now speaking
OF the masses among whom most deplorable
Ignorance of our country has prevailed. And
even among many of the higher classes there
has always been such ignorance to a greater or
less extent. The new aspect of affairs which
our civil war has produced will operate as
great inducement to the inhabitants of the Old
World to visit the New. All eyes have been
turned upon us during our contest with the
great rebellion, and foreign people have be-
come familiarized with our history, our re-
sources, our institutions, our topography, and
the general condition of our country. gn" R''a
The magnitude of our domain has never
been comprehended by the European masses
and even the better educated classes have fail
ed fully to comprehend the vast extent of our
territory !; but our war has opened the eyes of
all and they now see that this is emphatically
a "great country" and that our boasting in
years past has not all been idle gasconade We
have country whose territorial expanse, soil
climate, rivers, lakes, forests and general re-
sources may well be the subjects of pride and
boasting. Such a combination of great quail
ties offers great inducements to the inhabitants
OF other sections of the globe to come to our
shores and seek to meiorate their conditions in
life Surely, a great field is open before them,
and our recent struggle has enabled them, in
some good degree, to survey it in all its beauty
and grandeur. tllaf8
Again-Our war has not only opened up our
rich country and its resources to their view
but it has also shown them our character, and
the stuff we are made Of 1t has shown them
that we are not vain boosters They now
learn the great lesson that we not only feel the
spirit Of Liberty, but also that we are ready to
buckle on our armor and to fight for it. The
success of the Federal arms in crushing out the
most formidable rebellion Of which history
gives any account, and the most gigantic in
many Of its aspects the world ever saw, has
given our Government and country prestige
they never had before. 1t must be evident to
all thinking men that this prestige win gener-
ally stimulate emigration. The inhabitants of
the Old Countries-and especially The Liberal
been taught that this is the country
where they can enjoy their principles and
seek happiness under their own vine and fig
tree. a
We have reason to believe that the tide Of
emigration to our shores viii be greatly in
creased for few years to come. and of such
a class as will add much to the wealth and
prosperity Of the United States. We shall
welcome them with warm hearts and open
arms. Our country presents an immense field
or human labor. We know, and the world
low knows, that popular form of govern
nent is neither delusion nor snare as the
aristocrats of the Old World have constantly
proclaimed to the people. Republicanism is
not bubble ready to burst at any moment
when strain is made upon it. Our recent
war has impressed the fact upon the masses of
Europe in spite Of the predictions and wishes.|
of the aristocratic and governing classes of
that country. Wehave passed through Sc
we're ordeal and have come out of it with Free
dom and Equality written all over our ban
ners in characters of living light, to which all
eyes are now turned.
The crowded fields, the mud cabins, the i'll
ventilated factories and sitting workshops of
England, France, Germany, Ireland and other
countries will pour out tide of humanity
which will come to breathe the free air Of this
country and to seek better life. Let that
tide be increased hundred fold, and our
shores are broad enough and strong enough to
receive it. The first two years of our war were
not SO encouraging to emigration. The peo-
pie Of Europe began to feel that the slave
power would be triumphant, and human bond
age form the corner stone of the Great Re
public. But the victories that have perched
upon our standard during the last two years
have dispersed the cloud that hung so darkly
over us, and the working classes of Europe no
longer stand back, but begin to pack up for the
"land of the free and the home of the brave"
We expect to witness tide of emigration
setting towards our shores greater and strong
er than was ever known before. The Old
World win pour out its millions who will make
their homes in this country. Let them come
Their brave hearts and strong arms will find
an ample reward in this land of Liberty.
TRUE MODE OF EQUALIzING SUE
FRAGE. 5ea
The most important resolution adopted by
the republican state convention of Maine was
this = l-.i9
Resolued, That the constitution of the I'm