Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-07-02
AFTER THE BATTLE.

It's nm honorable characteristic of this nge, that
war is regarded with aversion; yet the people
who are opposed to violence admit that often
times 1t is neccsSlty-a last rcSort=when al |
peaceful methods have been tried, and when |
the law OF seli.deence justifes State in taking |
up arms. Although the mind rccoils with hor. |
roI. from "The contemplation OF battle fields |
where thousands bleed, to lift one hero into
iame;" yet nll must admit that wonderful in.
tcrest is attached to such sceues. For after sl,
who does not admire hero7 And where is
such a one more likely to be found than upon a
battle field?
| The powers OF the hnmnn intellect are rarely
more strongly displayed than in the commander
| OF nn army. lie II Is, who has under control
vast numbars of brave men, who regulates and
welds at will, these combatants, and In the
very face OF peril, nay even death, provides for
his troop as the occasion demands, brings order
out of chaos, and guides the storm-tossed bark
into the haven of victory.
A soldier is supposed to possess all the attri.
butes of heroism but high as these qualities
are estimated, they have been seen in the lowest
and bascst OF mankind, as well as in the noblest
and loltest.
Catline. the wicked and cruel one, made as
good n soldier Leonidas, while Alva sir
passed the Prince of Orange on the field OF bat
tie. Byron says:
'"Tls the cause makes all,
Degrades or hallows
| Courage in Its fall.
| Many battles are renowned not because OF the
ability of the combatants. but on account OF the
influence which they have had on mans social
: and political condition. long after the conflict
was past and the victory won. The battle may
indeed last only few hours, but Its results are
often such that they will be felt while the world
IT.. l..Aal
the foremost In Importance, for had 1t ended
differently, the whole drama OF the world would
have been changed. Had the sun of Marathon
gone down that day darkcned by the ruin OF the
y Athenian army, the glorious dawning of Gree
clan genius would have faded ere the world,
great heart had caught the enkindling ray tina
Q to-day glows so brightly in the refinements o
modern civilization. Socrates and Plato woult
not have taught the world how to live ant
think; Demosthenes would never have thrilled
:. the heart with his mntchless eloquence; II,
- Phidins had embellshed Athens no Appelle
, made the canvass seem instinct with life Ever
Homers wondrous song might have perished ii
), the night OF Asintic despotism.
: Another great battle, far reaching In Its conse
1 quences, was the defeat of the Saracens by tn
, armies of Christendom. For seven days tn
Cross and Crescent struggled In deadly contest
but on the seventh day the Saracens were de
leatcd. This victory arrested the progress o
u" Mohammedan arms in Europe and humanity
i speaking saved the life of Christian civilization
II For centuries after these battles have the M
q tions of the world been enjoying the benefit
obtained for them through the victories gaine
by Miltiades and Charles Martel.
)l There are conflicts which are not fought will
'e sword, spear and battle-aXe conflicts for Truth
"a Tor Honor. for Justidt, wagcd by those who's
weapons are not carnal, but spiritual. Such
>" Soldier was Wyclif who batted for religion
i freedom and whose influence was felt In English
e literature long after he had passed away. Sucl
- n soldier Is Gladstone, who Urm for the righ
though opposed by both friend and foe) stand
to-day warrior bold. asking for justice towart
ireland.
An instance OF every day conflict Is seen II
Palissy, the French potter. Spending years In
u experimenting In enamelling stone-ware ant
r pottery, he at last succeeded after battling will
y poverty with encouragement aud with failure
Missionaries, sent from thier homes to foreigr
countries to educate the heather have indeet
d had many battles to fight, but going with on,
obectin view, that object is accomplished beicr,
their return. Hundreds and thousands of hea
then people have been elevated and enlightened
by these soldiers OF the cross.
~ There is no greater battlefield than life. Al
r, though Its conflicts are not announced by bugl,
,r call and clash OF arms nor are It's victories &C
Companled with beating drums and flying ban
ners Man must fight, even for existence, ant
u IN one sense he finds the whole earth q BATH
! field. Enemies surround him upon every side
es there are foes within and foes without. Ill
=, must fight II he would win, and he is thus In
great measure responsible for his success In life
' The conflict may be severe but 1t is only after tn
y battle is oyer, and the victory won, that he l
le allowed to taste OF the delights OF peace AS II
l. all great wars there has been some battle oI
~ which hung the fate OF nation; so in HES bat
- ties often times PERSONS destiny is forever de
clded by come mental struggle; some iuterna
q. battle known only 10 himself. Man IL a soyeI
eign OF a mighty kingdom, that of self" As Il
sn hict Of life, victory over evil brings Joys OF
\ lasting duration, Joys that strengthen the hear
u and kindlo the soul for greater deeds and noble
)" his spirit is greater than he that laketh city
nj We do not talk about our struggles. we knpl
but little about those Of Others for,
- Even our present way Is known to ourselye
tH alone,
lie Height and abyss aBd torrent, flower and thor
a., and stone,
~ Rnt Ie gaze on anothers path as . fer or noun
tl tain scene,
be Scanning the outlined hills but never the vale
.f between.
oi The easy path In the lowland hath little q
or grand or new,
10 But u toisome ascent leads onward to wild
.. and glorious view.
or Peoped and warm is tho valley, lonely an
re chill the height,
al But the peHk that Is nearer yho storm'cloud
I'M nearer the stars OF light"
~, THE TRUE MOTOR.
W HENRY r.. RoETHER,
" From the dawn OF Creation 20 the preseI