Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-07-31

to devise means for the more active progress Of
the Valley Railroad. Let Old Augusta put hel
strong shoulder to the wheel.
--A---
War, the Chastisement of Nations.
Wars, horrid wars-bella, horr7dd Bella
The booming Of death dealing cannon had
scarcely ceased to reverberate in our valleys,
and the sword, dripping with brothers blood,
in other portions Of the world commenced act
ing a similar bloody tragedy, and every gale
which now reaches our ears from the continent
of Europe comes burdened with the groans of
the dying, and the wailings Of widows and Or
phans. There can be no greater evidence of
the depravity Of human nature than the fact
that the last appeal of the most enlightened and
christian nations, in the settlement Of disputes,
is to brute force. Man boasts of his civiliza-
ton! What is war but whitening satire upon
it written in blood2 How true the couplet of
Seotia's sweet bard @ II .srf
.'.- MANS inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn"
We have just passed through four years of
bloody strife, and are therefore prepared to
sympathize with those in Austria, Prussia, It.
ally, Spain and South America who are now un-
dergoing similar baptism of blood. In all Of
these countries the brutal instincts which con-
troll man have ''cried havoc and let slip the dogs
of wal" and now brother upon brother madly
rushing dies. :" Thousands will be killed, more
will be crippled and MANNED for life, and still
more will die of diseases contracted in camp
millions of treasure will be expended in the de-
struction of life and property-towns and cities
will be destroyed and great portions of the
country laid waste, and no compromising object
will be obtained by any of the contending par
ties. They are not fighting for the boon of lib
erty Or the privilege Of self government
are actuated by no higher motive than that
which controls dogs fighting for bone.-
Whilst those engaged in the bloody conflict are
destroying each other, the great Russian Bear
is looking on expectant, and the French Eagle
IS whetting her beak preparatory to appropria-
ting the prey. These nations may wade a red
sea of blood, but they will never reach the Ca
naan of their delusive hopes. The simeon of
disappointment will blast their most cherished
hopes, and they will be left to beWal their folly
and wickedness. s....',. g.
AS nations corporate have no souls to be re-
warded or punished in another world, they re-
ceive their rewards and punishments in this
War is one of the Establishments inflicted upon
nations for their sins. National sins cannot be
committed without suffering punishment there
for. Retributive justice will be sure to over
take and punish offending nations. This view
will account for the seemingly strange fact that
the increase of civilization does not diminish the
number of wars, because whilst increased civil
lazation augments the accountability, it does
not diminish sins, and therefore it does not d.
mlnish wars, which are but the chastisements
for the commission of national sins. When ma
lions cease to sin there will be cessation of
wars, and not before, however enlightened and
civilized they may be. At the first advent of
Christ there was peace throughout the world,
and that will not, we fear, be the case again
till the time of his second advent, which many
Of the interpreters of the prophecies think is
near at hand. They fix the time at 1871 or
1872, but FIVE or six years from this date.
The people conquered may be the chief ben
efciaries in these chastisements, if they prop
erly appreciate the lesson taught. "Whom He
loveth, He chasteneth.' Those who are placed
in adversely occupy the positions of honor-as
the post of danger is the post of honor, and
none but the best and most trustworthy soldiers
are assigned to such positions. There is no no
bier spectacle than that of a conquered people
preserving their honor, selfrespect and christian
the people of the South will ever present for the
admiration of the world, and as an example
worthy to be followed by our posterity. We
hope that posterity viii never have cause to
blush for the conduct of our people. IF we act
our part well in the days of our misfortunes,
our posterity will have more cause to be proud
of their ancestors than if they had been crown
ed with the laurels of victory. The true heroes
will be the conquered.
"a