The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-21
The Duty Of the Hour.

We extract the following from an ad-
dress delivered by HsHRY WARD BRsoHER
to his people prior to his visit to Fort Sum-
ter-an address on the duty Of the hour,
and the propriety of an extension of the
right hand of fellowship to the people Of
the South. Such sentiments are honora-
bic to bis heart, and we trust will find an
echo in every mind. After expressing the
opinion that the end of the war is near,
Mr.. BKEoHRR continues: ......, D..
Our work has just begun. We have
urged the people Of the North to stiffen
their backbone and to keep up their moral
tone. and we have done our duty. But
now we have the country, and the whole
country, in our hands. We have fought
for it, and we are responsible for it. have
taught you to believe that the whole Union
was indispensable to the honor of the ooun-
try. We did not care to see the North
prosperous, and great, and healthy, and
the South feeble, impoverished and weak
ened by excuses. We are bondsmen for
the welfare and prosperity of the country
mot of New England or any other SEQ
ton. The exigencies of our country re-
quire US to do q thousand. fold more than
ever before; and first let us take care that
We do not fall into the easy sin of ven
geance under the plea of justice. Few
men can afford to be just until they first
learn how to love. I hear many men say
this war ought not to be ended until the
principal traitors are hung, and that some
sour apple-tree to take the place of Ha-
mans gallows should swing the arch,trai-
tor JEFF. Davis. If Mr.. Davis was my
lawful prey tonight, I would do BY him as
/ did with another wasp yesterday. 1
saw the fellow on my door in the coun-
try, and was just about to smash him,
when I said what's the use. It's only q
wasp, and it's not at all probable that he
aud I will meet again, and III let him go.
That's what I'd do with jeff Davis. Let
him 90 away where he'll be by himself,
powerless to injure US, and of no particu-
lar account to anybody else. And If L
had my way, after the close of fighting /
would not let one drop Of blood be spilled,
and then could say to the world that this
great civil war has been ended as none
other ever was. Ought there not to be an
exhibition of law and justice-ought there
not to be q terrible spectacle of retribu-
tions say some, In mercy's name has
there not been mark enough2 Is not the
penalty already sped Gods vengeance pa
tent enough. We don't want any more
vengeance. I would not expatiste any
leaders on the ground of vengeance, but
as they have once misled the people they
might do go again. Iwould expatiate and
disfranchise them. I don't know az you
will go with me or indorse me in this view.
I am, however, consistent, having never
urged the slightest shedding of blood save
when it was necessary to establish the su-
premacy of the government. And more
we wish now to show the South their
total misrepresentation Of our former senti-
ments. Their cunning politicians have
made them believe that we hate them, but
we don't. Tell me why man living in
South Carolina or Georgia should be more
antagonistic than one in the West. It
was tried during the late election to stir
up feeling of distrust and jealousy, but
it couldn't be done. There are no antag-
onistic interests between the North and
the South. Religion, blood, business are
the same, and if there are no social or po-
litical reasons for hatred, why should we
not be the best of friends7 But next We
must not undertake to re-establish the
South Just as she was. A hundred years
will not put Virginia where abe was. You
can repair property, but if you sweep of
generation Of men You cannot replace
that in generation. Westchester county
has not got over the result of the Revolt.
tionary war to this day, and it's even wore
at the South. Emigration can't do Il. l
suppose there are whole regions in the
South where the entire male popula-
ton is entirely cut of. Along the sea-
board:: I'VE can'give essential relief, but all
along the route Of Shermans army the
description given by the Prophet is emin-
emily applicable: Before him was the
garden Of Eden, and behind him was the
dissent. We can send our sons and daugh-
tiers, our wealth, our prayers and sympa-
thies must go forth in the missionary
work of teaching and resuscitating. We
have great field in our own beloved land,
greater than any in Africa, and we should
enter in and begin to labor, and as this
church has had its proper share in inspiring
tibet lines, the success, and the army, so God
calls US to go on with the other part SO
much more grateful to the Christian. I
trust that it's in this spirit that you send
me away I would go in no other; l
would be no mans servant to be the man
to go down among them, and when they
are burying their dead to taunt them ; and
when that shining old flag is again thrown
forth, God forbid that Ishmel call their at.
tention to it, as the standard of those who
have conquered them. 1t is the flag of
their Fathers its glories are theirs, and
memories theirs, and not henceforth the
banner of their enemies. In that crum-
bling pulpit of Charleston harbor am
your minister, to say to them there is
nothing now between Us and you; we are
brethren and Christian brethren; we love
you, and desire your regard in return, and
on such Ia mission as that I will go forth
most cheerfully. The day on which the
old flag is to be raised is on Good Friday,
on which occurred the resurrection of the
Saviour; and as Christ was raised to bring