The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-12-16
LincOln's Faith in Providence.

wv iNA'NWihE 70 "h hititib WhlC
appeared 10 the December Mort
american RevietO, written by ex Sen
ator James f Wilson Of Iowa
will be read with interest:
The raid made by the Confederat,
general, j. Il Stuart, iu June, 1867
around the Union army oommande,
by Mcclellan, caused great suxiet,
in Washington. Que of its results wa
the interruption of communication
between the capital and the Army o
the Potomac. What this portendec
no enc could affirm. That it sug
gested the gravest possibilities, wa,
felt by all.
While this feeling was dominating
all circles, several gentlemen, myself
among them, called on President Lin.
cola in order to be definitely advised
about the condition of affairs as un.
derstood by him
To our question: Mr. President,
have you any news from tho army ?"
he sadly replied: Not one word we
can get no communication with it, |
do not know that we have an army /;
it may have been destroyed or cap.
tured, though | cannot so believe for
it was a splendid army But the
most | can do now is to hope that Sc.
rious disaster has not befallen it,"
This led to a somewhat protracted
conversation relative to the general
condition of our affairs 1t was use.
less to talk about the Army of the
Potomac; for we knew nothing con.
corning its condition or position at
that moment. The conversation there.
fore took wide range aud touched
upon the subject of slavery, about
which much was said.
The President did not participate
in the conversation. He was an at.
tentive listener, but gave no sign
of approval or disapproval of the
views which were expressed At
length one of the active participants
remarked
Slavery must be stricken down
wherever it exists 10 this country. 1t
is right that it should be. 1t is a
crime against justice aud humanity.
We have tolerated too long. 1t
brought this war upon Us. | believe
that Providence is not unmindful of
the struggle in which this nation is
engaged. If we do not do right | be
lieve that God will let US 60 our own
way to our ruin. But if we do right /
| believe He wilt lead us Safely out
of this wilderness, crown our arms
with victory aud restore our now
discovered Union"
Iobserved President Lincoln close.
ly during this earnest opinion and
expression of religious faith was be-
ing uttered. | saw that it effected
him deeply, and anticipated from the
play of his features and the sparkle
Of his eyes, that he would not let the
OCCASION pass without making some
definite response to it, was not
mistaken Mr. Lincoln had been sit
ting in his chair in kind of a weary
and despoDdent attitude while the
conversation progressed AT the con.
clusion of the remarks | have Just
quoted be arose and stood at his TEX.
treme height. Pausing a moment,
his right arm ontstretched towards
the gentleman who had Just ceased
speaking, his face aglow like the face
of prophet, Mr.. Lincoln gave de.
liherate and emphatic utterauce to
the religious faith which sustained
him in the great trial to which he and
the country were subjected He said !:
"My faith is greater than yours |
not only believe thai Providence is
not unmindful of the struggle in which
this nation is engaged; that if we do
not do right God will let US 60 our
own way to ruin; and that if We DO
right He will lead us safely out of
this wilderness, crown our arms with
victory, and restore eur discovered
Union, as you have expressed your
belief; but | also believe that He will
compel us to do right in order that
He may do these things, not so much
because We desire them as that they
accord with His plans of dealing
with this nation, in the midst of
which He means to establish Justice
| think He means that ia furtherauce
Of His plans. and He will open the
way for cur doing it. / have felt His
hand upon me in great trials and sub.
mitted to His guidance, and | trust
that as He shall further open the way
! will be ready to walk therein. RELY.
ing on His hel p aud trusting in His
goodness and WisAom