Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1868-02-01

1t is now sufficiently clear that the late disas-
trous war was an unavoidable necessity. It was
the inevitable penalty of great national crime.
wise men have said that it is impossible to vio-
late any of natures laws without at sometime
or other, and In some condition, suffering the re-
| sentiment of her majesty and as with individu-
ais, SO with nations. The time for the irrepress-
IDLE conflict between Freedom and Slavery had
come the terrific encounter had been decreed
in the interchangeable economy of events and the
omnipotence of Deity did not choose to disturb
the natural course Of things. In the process Of
universal enlightenment, our country had ar
rived at that point where shameful barbarism
must be given up to extrpation and that could
be accomplished only by civil war. We had
fallen behind the rest of the civilized world. and
were tenaciousy clinging to an institution which
had its origin in the savage states of men, when
the captive became the slave of his conqueror.
Our national crime had become the reproach of
the Christian world civilization condemned it :;
humanity abhorred it, religion mathematical
it, and at last, God himself Numbered upon it
with the dread artillery of war. And thus,
while the awful guilt of the treason and slaugh-
ter and suffering and devastation Of the conflict
belongs to the oppressors and blasphemers
against human freedom, the just purpose of
heaven has been accomplished, and full atone
ment has been made to the memorable laws of
nature. But what ar awful libation of the
tion's blood What hecatombs of manhood
and youth were piled round the crimson altar !?
What woeful lamentation echoed from the homes
of those who went up to the battle And how
great had been the sin that required that tre-
mendous expiration
| We have passed from the iron age of barba-
rous oppression to the golden period of universal
freedom. We are new nation, regenerated by
fire and baptized in blood. "Old things have
passed away, and behold all things new ~
he l1c 1i1of ho
new condition and wisely adapt themselves to
its requirements, while the others foolishly at
tempt to proceed under a condition which is OBJ
solete and nOn-existant. The Democratic party
is, so to speak, an antediluvian institution ; it
has in some sort hung together and drifted
across the red and angry food, lodging upon the
Ararat of Peace, shattered ark of wicked bar
barism, and filled with all kinds of pre-diluvial
denominations, which incensed Divinity had
intended to destroy. Would to Heaven it had
gone down forever, when tossed about over the
profoundest depths of the sea, so that its four
footed beasts and creeping things were not now
infesting the sun-lit shores of the new creation
| The prevailing desire of the Democratic party
is to 60 back as far possible toward that social
and political condition of things which existed
during Buchanan's administration. 1t is related
that, when the people of Israel had been led
away from bondage, and were nearing the prom
Used land, some of them repined at the hard fare
in the wilderness and desired to return to the
despotic country of the Pharaohs, that they might
enjoy the more savory leeks and onions which
they had been used to feed on. In like manner,
the baser elements of which the Democratic par
ty is mainly composed, long to go back to the
attractive region of lashes and blood-hounds
and branding-irons, being unable to bear the
clearer light of universal freedom and to breathe
the purer air af republican justice, their optical
apparatus being better adapted to scenes of bar
barity, and their lungs to an atmosphere of pol
luton. They rccur with pleasing recollection to
the manly sports Of the slave-chase, to the
classic drama Of the auction block, to the cheer
full cracking of the thong, and to the enliven-
ing echoes of the hound giving tongue at the
heels of the painting fugitive; and with senti-
mental regret look back to the hallowed love-
scenes in the negro-quarters, where heightened
SWANS of the "superor race' courted the IA
vor of dusky maidens, and whence the annual
crop of semi-Ethiops was consigned to the ten
der mercies of the slave-drver or the overseer.
If they cannot procure the restoration of slavery
they may at least obtain state of peonage or
serfdom which will enable them to continue
their domineering over and robbery of the
happy negro people. If they could not disrupt
and destroy the Union by force of arms, they
hope to restore the control of one-haf of it to
blood-stained rebels, who, at the first favorable
opportunity, will rebel again, and, as they hope,
more successfully.