The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1870-07-07

WHICH lDelf ValDf ana lOfltuue deserve.
The victorious hero can always be gem
erous to a chivalric and vanquished
enemy. Let us remember that the
noblest soldier who ever drew a sword in
the holy cause of Liberty, that the patriot
sage who drafted the Declaration of In
dependence, and the illustrious states
man whose massive intellect chiefly
framed the Constitution of the United
States, were natives of tie South. Let
us also remember that the descendants
of these men and of their countrymen
were the brave warriors who confronted
our armies ON the perilous edge of battle.
and by their heroic resistance enhanced
the glory of triumph.
In spirit of magnanimity let us, then,
dwell for a passing moment ON the les
sons and results of the late rebellion.
From its records we gather many instruc-
tive lessons, and one, peculiarly appro-
PIRATE to the subject Of our reflection on
the present occasion: Civil war is at all
times and under every circumstance
national evil. Still, there is in this world
no evil unalloyed. The providence of God
allows no calamity 10 affiiet mankind from
which wisdom may not derive some COM
pensahon. Good and evil are as myste-
riously blended in life as the light OF day
and the shades of night in the twilight
hour. In the latter centuries of the Ro-
man Empire the Goths Vandals, and
Huns pound with resistless fury over the
Unrest and most enlightened domains of
Europe. No human power ayailed to
withstand the onward march of an At
tia, or Alaric. Desecrated altars,
ruined vineyards, and the smoke of burn
ing cities, marked the pathway of the
eonquerors from the plains of Scythia
and the shores of the German ocean to
the walls Of Imperial Rome. Nearly all
that the world could boast of eiviliza-
ton, art, and literature-seemed utterly
aud forever lost beneath the barbarie
wave that had spread in its desolating
course over the Western Empire.
Now, when ages have rolled away, we
can trace the finger of God in all those
events, and behold them as links in
wondrous chain of causes, molding and
preparing mankind for a higher and
purer civilization than Rome could have
bestowed. The French revolution, to-
wards the close of the last century, and
the Napoleonic wars which sprang from
it, draped every household in Europe
with the emblems of mourning. 1t has
not required in this instance centuries
to illustrate the beneficial results to the
world of the tremendous conflict. In
the shock and clash of arms the divine
and hereditary rights of Kings were
trampled into the dust, and the people
became power before whom Monarchs
trembled, and whose supreme authority
the mightiest dynasties were constrained
to acknowledge. The civil war in Eng
land, which resulted In the decapitation
Of Charles II, AMI the establishment of
Commonwealth with Cromwell for Pro-
teetor, secured the foundation of English
liberty, aud contaiued the germs OF that
revolution to which we owe the birth of
our own Republic.
The contest of Independence lasting
for seven long years, and subjecting our
fathers to the ordeal of hardship, priva-
ton and suffering. was suitable prepa-
ration for the exercise and enjoyment of
freedom. Viewing the subject in phil
osophical spirit, looking beyond the i'm
mediate and acknowledged evils of civil
war; and regarding not only the present,
bnt the boundless future with all its
hopes and responsibilities, we shall dis
cover the elements of permanent good in
the results of the late rebellion. True,
alas that time can never restore to the
embrace of the living the great host who
perished in the sanguinary conflict true
indeed, that the burthens of taxation
which it imposed on the Country, will |
remain with us, and our descendants for |
generations yet to come: but for all these |
ealamities there is ample and enduring |
I1.4A
we had no confidence in the |
of the Federal Union. The |
Government was apparently a eonfedera-
ey held together by ropes of sand, and |
destined TO perish in the flames of revo-
luton. The storm that sweeps the |
side lays the rich mine bare, |
aud the tempest of civil war only consol- |
dated and strengthened the grand fabric
of American Government.
From the ashes of the dead rebellion |
has arisen into existence a potent and |
vigorous nationality, which, radiating |
from the central power at the FedeIal
Capital, extends to the remotest bound |
aries of the Republic. The incidents |
aud memories of the late conflict will /
lend to nationalize the opposing sections. |
War is a stern teacher, and its lessons,
written in blood, and enforced with the /
oayonet, will be remembered where the |
voice of a gentler monitor would be un-
needed or forgotten. State pride and |
sectional jealousies were swept away in
he crimson torrent that deluged the
Country. Our night of hceror has passed
the angry waves have subsided, aud |
he welcome morning of peace shines
lgain upon the land. The triple arch of /
Union. Liberty and Nationality extends
ihove "a continent, and under it are shell
erred, in peaceful security, the institu-
ions, homes and industrial pursuits of
free and prosperous States.
No element of discord exists to mar the
harmony, threaten the tranquility, or ar
-est the victorious march of the new
Nation which ascends from the moulder-
ng ruins of the past. Many of this |
audience will live not only to behold but |
in the triumphs of the auspi-
,ious era that awaits the American Re-
public.
Before the nineteenth century shall |
have drawn to close, an entire conti-
nent will acknowledge her sovereignty, |
md one hundred millions of citizens
lender obedience to her mandates. More |
than the Aphrodite of the
Greeks, when she sprang from the spark
ing foam of old ocean, more resplendent |
han the Astrea of the golden ages the
Republic of Columbia will sit enthroned |
On the shores of the New World. She |
will bear no royal seeptre and wear no
imperial crown but her right hand will |
grasp the sword of justice, and above her
lead will CLEAN the helmet of constitu-
ional liberty May her flag remain for
,ver the emblem of universal freedom.
Nay her empire, unto the last syllable of
'ecorded time. extend over a .ree, happy |
md united people. May the centuries as
hey roll onward, hail and salute her as
larth's great leader in the vanguard of
Liberty, Science, and Civilization.