The Portland daily press., 1865-03-22
onr War-A School for the NEGRO.

tory OF the ages past, cannot tan 10 % ~
pressed with the fact, that wars have been
great school 10 which the people OF all couu-
tries have been educated in certain uepAr'-
ments of knowledge which they coulu ho'
have received from any other source. Hu-
manity is so consttuted-ana no douot wke5
although we may fail TO see it-tnat ~ must DC
severely tried before its latent powers ana
possibilities can be fully developed. 1t is not
for lis to ask, why we are thus constituted, nor
Question the propriety OF such creation.
We must accept things as We may find them
in this world and make the most OF them.
1t takes untold ages TO form and perfect
many treasures OF the earth which we prize
most highly. Before they are fitted for our
use, they must pass through fire and be thrown
to the surface by earthquakes. Thus it is in
the physical world, and why should it not be
so in the mental and moral world Both
are governed by memorable and immuta-
Bile laws from which there is no appeal. 1t
will not be new to state, they have their seat
In the bosom OF God, and yet The great fact
should never be lost sight of Because we can
not fully comprehend them it furnishes no
reason for our unbelief.
Why reforms should be baptized in blood
is beyond our comprehension, but this we
know, they have been in every age. In the
physical world storms and tempests clear the
atmosphere; the constant motion of the
ocean purides its waters, and the thunder bolt
and the earthquake have equally important
r.. he -
are more easily comprehended and under
stood to certain extent than those that gov
ern mental aud moral phenomena. a,bea oa
History Informs us that the military class
has had great control in all nations-greater
control and been held in higher esteem than
any other class, except among those people
over whom the priesthood have gained the as
tendency. The emblem of honor has always
been the sword in the hand of the temporal
ruler, and the most distinguished and power
full men we're those who successfully COM
manded the military forces IF nation. Mill
tary despotisms have been frequent in this
world from the earliest periods of antiquity of
which history gives us any account. In all
rude nations the military class has always
been highly esteemed aud almost yenerated
This power has come down to modern times,
and is now felt by the people of this CONT
nent. Our own people are not freea from it.
How anxiously they look away upon our sue
cessfal Generals, and how near our hearts are
the common soldiers who have periled their
lives in behalf OF their country
The down-troden African comes In for
share of this respect and veneration; for he,
too, has risked his lite in the great battle for
freedom and emancipation, not only for his
country, but also for his race. This war has lift
ed him up from the depths of degradation and
made even unwilling eyes behold his man.
hood. African blood has been shed on many
battle field, and the people ask, whyp The
answer is easily furnished. The rebellion has
now assumed no questionable shape" and
negroes, as well as "poor Whites" begin to
understand the nature and true ground ofthe
contest. .o,fs
q. The path to glory is often, too often, per-
haps, a military one, and Southern negroes
have entered upon it with true heroism and
proves. The knights of the olden time had
to win their spurs in actual conflict before
they could wear them with honor, and the ne
groes OF the South have trodden the war-pai h
and become sharers in the military enthnsi-
asm of our country. The Black Prince, when
but youth, was compelled, without any as
sistance from his chivalrous father, to win his
spurs, and most molly he performed his task
on the battle field Of Crecy; and SO the slaves
have attained an honorable, military manhood
unaided by the chivalry of their masters.
Unaided, did we say? They have "won their
spuss" aud acquired name that will long
live on the historians page in spite of the
ehivalry Of their masters.
The black race have won imperishabe re-
nown on many desperate field. What cour-
age and prowess they manifested at Port Hud-
sonl Three times did they most CALAMITY
charge on the rebels when certain death was
ttaring them in the face; but they lid not
finch. That was self-sacrifcing courage,
such as has never been surpassed in the his
tory of any war. And again, the scene at
Fort Wagner will form one of the most re-
markable pages of history. They entered the
fort through terrible storm of shot and shell;
but they were unsupported, and fell before
overwhelming numbers, and their dead bod.
les became the enduring monument over the
grave of their young and heroic commander
Shaw. When his body was called for, the
insoIent and unfeeling reply was, HE is buri-
ed with his niggers p A noble tribute for
him, and the negroes whom he commanded.
1t was indeed great sacrifice OF human
life, and to many it may seem useless one,
but not SO in the order of good Providence.
The sacrifice was not unavailing. But it may
be asked, why not unavailingq Those brave
negroes lost their lives, and the South was
not conquered. True, but the prejudices OF
the North were conquered, and the death OF
these brave colored troops opened up way
In which the African race will travel to man
hood and citizenship. In this struggle for our
nations life, the negroes have performed we'll
the parts assigned them, and they will emerge
from bondage, and rest under the tree of Lib
erty which the blood of their race has water
60. This war has taught them how to "wear
their daggers."
T Sassins from bondage will deliver Clssius;
1herein ~ v COS you make the weak most strong;
stro - t sous you tyrants do defeat; tl ~
N N ssrUns sower, nor wall of beaten brass
Can be retentive to the strength Of sD H. N :,
a mighty, but not bloodless, revolution
mas come upon the new world, and its effects
will be felt at the remotest bounds ~ ,he
eartn. The negro has been schooled in war
ana taught the price of Liberty. His blood
pas paia part Of that price, and the world
wiz say ne is fairly entitled to the enjoyment
of its blessings.
4 New Hampshire Election osa
THE vote of New Hampshire, for Governor.
stands as follows: l9a ,1
For Smith. UaiOn, a411o