The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-19

and rise for centuries oeioIe tne oay
of victory dawnS. but RELIEF and re-
dress must follow that cause which God IA
vors.'
lapse between the undertaking anu the ul-
uinphs Of a righteous cause: ,-
This, think. in cases OF war, is largely
due TO the fact that military genius is put
before the claims and authority OF God.
Remember that the Instincts OF true patri-
otism have always been closely allied Win
the sentiments OF religion.
Again, the impulses of chivalry In the
soldier, the martial geni us and military re-
noWn OF the warrior, when cut loose from
the claims of God and religion. are but the
sen timents Of u skeleton.
To offer further proof In vindication OF
the deduction made from the text, wish IN
the next place 70 show that recognition 9t
religious claims has always been the stand
ard and measure of military success.
The greatest military achievements IN Ihe
history OF the world, have been wrought
after suitable offerings to religion bad frst
been made; thus showing the recognized al
Iiance between the martial spirit and reiig-
ious sentiment. A.. -,
| of the great leaders In war have been gen.
timely pious; but do mean TO say that the
military men OF all times, who have won
and renogn ~ bs ths c1as a6 OF tper
Gods, and honor them with suitable acts ol
| religious worship.
This was especially true Of the ad,s.;n,; ancient
were coarse and sometimes even revolving
but they nevertheless paid high tribute 10
their Gods as the surest pledge OF success IN
battle; thus linking their martial destlny
and military renoWn Win tne glory Oh 'ne'r
Gods.
| That the scrupulons devotion OF the sold
| Iers to the claims OF religion among the 10
mans was the chief source OF their rigid dls
| t.ru
The fact that the Gods OF ancients, and re.
| ligion Of the Pagan were unreal, frequently
the grossest conceptions of an anxious long.
| ing only, does not change the fact that their
patriotism and their religious sentiments
were closely allied. am not discussing the
character or their religion.
Let me now call your attention On LON 70 me r,tI re- !
! itary characters OF all times;
paus the Great" in battle: "The Gods whom
we honor and whom we worship are our DE-
And you remember that Caesars legions
became almost invincibe In battle. W.,
O. Alexander, son and heir OF Philip. King
of Macedon, had such high regard tor the
Gods OF Greece aud the religion OF his coun.
| try, that the sacrifices and offerings which
| he made TO secure their favor, cost his coun-
try almost as much as the equipage OF his
| army
| g. Hannibal, whose equal in military Prov.
| ess is rarely known, said "The Carthage
ians could not conquer the Romans be-
powerful than The Gods Of Carthagenians,
and because the Romans always made war
under the direction OF their GODS"
4. The Trogans fought ander Fan, tne uni
mans fought under Jupiter the universal
5. When scipio AfrIcanus left Rome to meet
Hannlbaliin the last battle Of the last punls
- sol hn Gannfa
people not 10 forget their devotion TO their
| religion and their Gods.
These quotations have an Identical mean.
Ing. The martial spirit In man Is closely al.
| lied with his religious sentiment; and IL In
great measure dependent upon 1t. II you
could fnd people wholly wanting In relig.
| ious sentiments and instincts, you would
then find people wholly destitute OF every
The martial spirit without religious senti.
ment is only the starch that stiffens the
shroui for hasly and early burial.
Won % The eiSpire OF Europe for England al
Waterloo was born and baptlsed with the
prayers and tears OF EngIand's mothers"
And notwithstanding The criticism offered
on Napoleon's remark; am free To confess
nibal, Scipio, Caesar and Alexander.
Yes. and II was Napoleon who said on the
eve OF his firstgreat Victory "Rememoer my my
lcountrymen, that the will OF God and the
liberties of the people are one"
III.
In concluding my remarks l wish TO
enforce another fundamental principle CON-
uested with The art Of war.
1t is, that the martial spirit, when unre-
strained by religious sentiment, nearly al.
| ways becomes tyrany.
The cruelty toward the captive, 30 common
In ancient warfare, was mainly due 10 this
cause.
II must follow. therefore, that the soldier
needs the restraining power OF religion above
all the callings OF life since nations last ap-
peal is to the decision nf the sword.
That decision should not be made on the
perverted notion thai the spoils always be-
long TO The victor.
such a settlement u Gatlonal differences
would leave the weak without protection,
and encourage the strong TO acts OF violence
The cnieftain who makes war for mercena-
~ purposes, or feeds the greed OF his amolt, am
ion on the liberties OF the oppressed, must 60
into eternity with the blood OF bis fellows ON
his hands.
War made for gain or glory is an unmitisa-
TT The martial spirit In man, designed for the
protection OF home and country, IL the crea-
ture OF God when restrained by the senti-
ments OF religion.
But when used IN the interests OF the ty.
rant. for promoting lnercenary ends, or the
empty pleasure OF military lame, H. leaves
the withering blight Of death in It's path
way. ,,
ambitions y bloody mistress fights her way 10
There, stepped In woman's brInyitears, and
het In Piuto's dark retreut wars bloody car
Minerva holds the reins. Her hands are
drenched in blood. dsgorged rom corey
fields. ~
Ambition piles the lash. The painting
steeds breed death, and hope dies In the
,,,f ~ "A