The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-05
The American Era.

cularly.
The American Era.
History IL made up Of epochs or points Of
time fixed by grand and remarkable events.
There are dynastio epochs or eras, such as the
Roman, Byzantine, Pagan, Christian or Mohaua-
medan; and also periods in the worlds history
which have been established by historic events.
The chronology Of history has principally been
the result Of military achievements with
single exception-the Christian era. These
have been effected by extraordinary men Of
genius, whose deeds Of prowess or sagacity
have given new impetus and . marked charac-
ter to their times. In the earliest chronology,
during the Assyrian war, Bel,n was vanquished
BY Haikus, King Of Armenia; then Semiramis
conquered Armenia, and Tygranes in turn led
many Asiatic monarchs before him % hostages
The feats of Xerxes, with bis immense hosts,
against the Greeks mark . period In history.
Alexander and Cesar also stand out in the
boldest relief; and the fame Of many warriors
in the struggle Of nations is imperishable, al
though they have not constituted distinctive
eras in history. Constantine, Charlemagne
and Mohammed have stamped with their own
names the eras in which they fought and -four
ished. The Thirty Years. War of Germany, the
Magma Charta Of England and the American
Revolution are all fixed epochs, and 'Petit
Corporal" has made his distinguishing mark
and transmitted to posterity the lasting remem-
brance of Waterloo, mausoleum as enduring
as the pyramids Of Cheops.
We Of the nineteenth century, looking with
awe and amszement into the retrospect of the
mighty past. have ourselves enacted more
wonderful epoch in the worlds history than
any which has hitherto transpired. There never
was such a battle field as this continent of
North America; nor was there ever such rush
to arms. The hordes of Xerxes, whose arrows
bedimmed the sun, could not have numbered
more than three hundred thousand men, unds-
ciplined and accoutred with the rudest imple-
ments of warfare; and the whole combined
forces which figured on the battle fields OF
Europe in the Napoleonic era scarcely exceeded
one million. The American rebellion has called
out three millions of soldiers from a population
enjoying all the benefits Of civilization; men Of
intelligence education and tho highest moral
culture; men from every rank Of life, Of whom
out lamented ruler nobly said, "Each one is fit
to be a President" thus attesting the manhood
of each patriot.
The complete equipment and maintenance OF
this immense army, which has elected the ad-
the unbounded resources Of the country. The
bounties to volunteers and the liberal pay of
the soldiers have never been equalled. No his
tory records such exploits as will be told Of us,
such instances of Individual heroism, such self
immolation on the altar of patriotism. 1t did
not suffice that thousands Of families were
called to mourn the loss of their kinsmen;
but the sacrifice of The head of the nation
was also needed to complete the tragedy.
The purse strings Of the nation have been
opened and the treasure lavishly bestowed.
The people have borne the severest taxation
without murmuring, and now it is not improb-
able that our immense national debt Of three
thousand millions of dollars will be entirely as
sumed and cancelled by our wealthy citizens,
an idea emanating from the same spirit Of pure
patriotism which has maintained the war.
The record of the achievements of our military
men will be more brilliant than any which has
hitherto marked the pages of history. The
cutting Of the canal around Island No. 10, On
the Mississippi, and the successful transporta-
ton of steamers through the woods was q
wonderful feat Of engineering, excelling the
transportation Of artillery over the Alps. The
capture of New Orleans Is equal If not supe
rior to the engagement at Trafalgar or the bat
tie Of Aboukir. The conflict between the
| Monitor and the rebel ram Merrimac, II
Hampton Roads, and the engagement and
sinking Of the Alabams excited the wonder
and the admiration of the whole world. Th'
passage of the entire Army of the Potomac, b!
Grant, across the James, in the very presence
of the enemy, without loss; the raid Of Sherman
through Georgia, South and North Carolina
and Sheridan's cavalry manGuvres, causing
the fall of Richmond-the Malakof of the re
bellion-with the surrender of Ice, are gram
exploits hitherto unsurpassed.
The glory of these achievements Is enhances
by the fact that this struggle has not been be
tween superior and inferior races, nor to rope
foreign aggression; but between father and sor
brother and broiher-of one race, one blood
one culture and one ability. If the arms q
the Union have been victorious it was no
merely by force of numbers, for the rebellio
had the advantage by being indigenous to th
soil and standing on the defensive; also, will
out doubt, aided and allotted by enemies
the republic. II was the moral rectitude Of th
cause, the ultimate liberty and union Of bot
North and South, the rescue Of 30 many mi
lions Of the human race from SLAYER
which, like Aaron and Hur, stayed u
our hands until this Amalek was
terly discounted. If the military me
of our country have been equal II not superi'