The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-06-06

history; yet on the deck of the Ches.
apeake, we cluster around the wound
ed hero. and view the tear blotted 1
side of the page, which paints, in
deeply shaded colors, the death of the
gallant Lawrence, and of his hundred |
and fifty brave comrades.
But no higher etfulgence shines |
forth to stamp its records on the pages |
OF American history than that which |
emanates from the cemeteries conse- /
Grated to the departed heroes of the
late struggle, as we'll as from the homes
of those who gave to their country,
brothers, sons, or husbands, whose
blood was often as dear or dearer than
their own Here too, however, as In
have just been contemplating. there
is an awfully dark side to
the picture, that calls forth our
deepest sympaiy; scarcely a County
in any State of the Union, but what
has experienced powerful cause to
mourn, and sometimes to send up a
wall of deepest sorrow, which would
often have refused to be comforted,
had it not been that happily many of
the noble men and women. thus called
to sorrow, are true patriots, who, like
the Spartans, gave their most cherish
ed relatives TO their country, and
then would have more willingly seen
these relatives brought to the family
cemetery to fill patriots grave. than
know them dishonored by unsoldierly
conduct, or sullied by turning against
the government which sought to pro-
tcct those dearest birthrights, civil
and religious liberty. Then, also,
many were Christian men and women
who were sustained, in the hour of
trial, by their trust in the Redeemer.
1t was not that this rebellion
threatened Immediately that most
sacred of rights, religious liberty;
but it struck at the foundation of all
political liberty in a Republic, the
right of the majority to govern ac-
cording to law, and the duty Of the
minority to aoquiesce. without resist
anoe. in the acts of legal majority.
If the principle were correct that
the will of the majority could be set
aside and even set at defiance in any
one case, that principle would apply
with equal justice to all others, and
the National Government would be
nugatory or even subverted. Where
would, in such a case, have been, and
now be, our existence as nation, re-
speoted among the foremost wherever
civilization has penetrated?
Where would there have been, and
now be, law and order. if dissatisfied
minority were allowed more privileges
than are permitted to a majority?
Where would have been the ma
tional unit, if each State had been
permitted to secede whenever dissat-
isfed? And / may add. where would
have been the national harmony, if
the question of holding our fellow
beings in bondage had not been for
ever set at rest during this sanguinary
struggle?
Then, indeed. was cut by an AL
mighty Hand the gordian knot. too
complicated for US poor mortals to
unite by any ordinary process.
The blood of our best and bravest
was shed. not simply, however. to pre-
vent certain States from seeding, not
merely to deliver a few millions of the
colored race from bondage; that pa
triotic blood was shed in defense of
great principle: Political liberty, and
as connected Herewith, religious lib
ertg. Not the right of each individ-
ual to act Independently Of all others,
but the right to form a democratic-
republican confederation, in which
the will of the majority, fairly and
fully ascertained, shall be the rule
and law of the land. Not the freedom
10 set the laws of God and man at de-
fiance, but the right to worship God
according to the dictates of our con-
sciences, in a manner that shall not
interfere with equal religious freedom
in our neighbors; and as much indi-
vidual liberty, political and social, as
as is consistent with our constitution
al compact, and with the laws of the
land. If these are wrong or defec-
tive, let them be constitutionally, le-
gally and quietly altered by the votes,
amounting to a majority, of all those
legally entitled to the right ofsuffrage.
Should majority of the women of
our land desire a voice in our coun.
ellis, as they are now being educated
up to the point which the progress of
civilization and christianity demands, |
it would probably be best to let them
make the experiment; but if a ma
i0rity of them rest satisfied with the |
home sphere and influence, let US not
thrust burdens and responsibilities
upon them, contrary to their wishes.
If, again, we are divided on the
Tariff Question, let us discuss it calm
ly and ispassiOnately; and let those,
who have votes on the subject. cast
them as they believe a majority of
their constituents would desire. and
as would best promote the interests of
the greatest number.
As regards the other great ques
tions of the day, let similar enlight-
ened utilitariau and benevolent pol
icy still dictate. IF Utah or any other
part Of the country resists the law of
the land. let Justice be enforced by US
and the law INDICATED and carried
out, peaceably if we can, forcibly if
we must.
AS the evils of intemperance, too,
are crying aloud, let US, on the |
liquor traffic question. be true in
practice to our democratic replb-
lican principles. according to which |
the will of the majority is the
oretically the rule. and let US
consequently so legislate that If a ma
jority of the citizens, male and fe- |
male, in any town or district, desire to |
exclude the sale of intoxicating bev-
erage from their midst, they shall
have the right to do 50. as soon as the
vote is ascertained. If the law thus
required an affirmative vote to create
such an evil in our midst Gnstead of
requiring US to prove an applicant
for license worthy or unworthy, |
cannot for moment doubt that In
most regions there would be found
enough of virtue-loving men and
rvonoar IN cav that Sucb 4av,otot;o,,