The Press., 1895-06-13
Number Ii.

they desired 1t, would you TOT moment have objected to such 8 use of their pow CT? You all would have bid them ''god speed" in their noble work. What, then, did you object to so strenuously? It was to the se!fsh use of the power which the master had over the slave. You saw men who made might the basis of their right in their relations to their fellow beings. Your sympathies were touched, your in dignation aroused, and you marched forth to oppose the sel1shness of man. That was the ultimate principle of action against which you fought.
 There is a certain fellowship among selfish and evil-minded men. The slave owners held the controlling power in sev- eral of the states. One state after anoth- CT was influenced largely by them and those who upheld their views. But up at
 Washington was the central government of the nation, and that government rested
 upon the Constitution, one clause of
 which asserts the equality of man. Slav-
 cry was much discussed. The pulpit, the
 press, and all the citizens formed opinions
 on the subject. The national mind was filled with the subject. Some said slavery
 is an evil, but has come to stay. Others
 said if slavery will remain it must not ex-
 tend it's territory. But evil is always ag-
 gressive. The slave states said, we will
 extend the slave territory beyond the
 states in which it now exists, and, if need
 be, we will capture Washington itself.
 No doubt many of them were utterly sin
 cere in their belief that slavery was right,
 for an individual can so train himself by
 continued course of evil-doing that he be-
 comes perfectly satisfied that he is right.
 It does make difference what a person
 believes, although he is sincere. All this
 brought about condition of affairs in
 which states claimed the right to hold
 their own opinions as supreme to those
 embodied in the national government.
 They claimed that the industries ill which
 they were largely occupied must be regu-
 lated by the states alone, and conducted
 for their advantage in any way they saw
 fit. They obstinately said, this is what
 we think about the matter, and we will
 have our own way; so they formed their
 combination. But, notice here, you did
 not fight against the combination merely
 as such; for if such combination had
 been formed to promote the well-being
 and happiness of the nation, you certainly
 would not have opposed it. But as sell
 fishness was what you detested in slavery
 when you found the same principle show ing itself on wholesale scale, contrary
 to the best and brightest life of the na-
 tion, you resolved to oppose it, cost what
 it would. If both sides had been willing to consider the words of our text, and act upon them, what 8 different story would have been told what work of desolatior might have been avoided. Here we have great illustration of the willful altitude . of the human heart to the teachings O. the word of God. Instead of looking up on them as the only guide to highes = well-being and happiness, we too oftel pay no attention to, or stubbornly oppos'
 l the school of experience. The presiden recommended purchasing the liberty O.
 the slaves, but his advice was not taken Deeper grew the animosity between brothers, neighbors and states. Wider , still grew the division in the nation. Th' war began, and what an everlasting proc of the truth ot our text was burned into the very heart of our nation. The powers of desolation were let loose. All the in genuity of the mind of man was called into action. By land and sea the whirl winds of destruction swept; skies dark : ened by the heavy clouds of war; fertile : fields, rich hillsides and waving forests ' destroyed by showers of iron hail river J tinged by streams of human blood; homes and hearts filled with blighted hopes anC Il vague longings for those who never woult 5 return.
 d But, if selfishness in shareholder ant d state was what the union army tough e against, it is we'll for us to ask what wa s their naOtiVe in doing SO? It meant fo 1T the soldiers leaving home and all tha It was dear to them. The laying aside tn d plans for pleasure and business, and gC l. ing forth on long and weary marches, ot l, ten sleeping under the open sky, expose e to rain, heat and cold. It meant for yo e facing death in battle, and enduring a
 the horrible sights and sounds of the bat It tletields. Also to many the terrible su b. ferings in southern prisons, the mer Il records of which makes the blood ru u cold as we read them.
 l. Surely there must have been som l. great object, some prize, some booty 'e be gained. In reading the histories ( It the ancient wars, we find accounts ( II armies being rewarded by the capture ( LII rich treasures; soldiers in the hour of e1 F. treme danger often being sustained It promises of rewards. There were man l. rich estates in the south, but how muc 'n booty did the union army receive? Whe the cities of the south were captured, ho much plunder was taken? How mar men, either privates or commander made their fortunes ill the war? It ce tainly was not for wealth you tough Was it for fame? How much applaus did they receive, and how much do the receive now? Certainly some attentic and respect is paid to them for the deeds, but the matter -of-fact America places much lower and more correct e innate upon the applause of his fellov than did the warriors of old who deligh ed in war for the glory 1t brought ther Nor was it for increase of territory, f. which nations often go to war. Nor W,
 it for their own freedom, for, althoue
 slavery had increased, there could ha' F been no danger of American citizens @ '' tering slavery. The union army foug
 atnse!fShEg, not for their own rights, b
 fn1. 10 .icrkf If hhcir fol