The National tribune., 1901-12-05
NATIONAL WASHINGTON THURSDAY

Il know you think the two positions
contradictory; but both these views are
sound and true. War is crime: slavery
is crime; these are two truths and they
cannot clash. l will go farther and say
that the North is right and the South is
right"
doctor, you are astonishing. You will
find it hard to convince me that both of
these statements can be true.
We'll, are you ready to listenT
Ready and willing. But why is it
that you say both sections are right? Why
do you not prove that they are both
wrong? You are speaking OF crime, not
virtue
OF course, they are both wrong in the
acts of which we are speaking; but in re-
gard to the principles upon which they
seem to differ. they are right. and these
are what | wish to speak Of"
We'll, | listen. Doctor"
Then first let me say that the world
is ruled by n higher power than Gen. Nc
Clellan or Mr.. jefferson Davis
agreed"
",T6e world is ruled by power that
has far-reachins, even eternal, purpose,
and the power is as great as the pur-
pose; the power is infinite"
Il follow YOU"
''This power cannot act contrary to its
own purpose, nor can it purpose what 1t
will not execute"
Please illustrate, Doctor.
Suppose God should purpose to make
a world, and instead of making world
should make Il comet"
HE would not be God" said |, "un-
less the comet should happen to be in
fair way of becoming Il world"
Exactly; to act contrary to His pur-
pose would be caprice or failure"
Yes; | see. or think do"
Not difficult at all; L simply say that
JVo iS q pIiup and SlpVary q crirpp Two
truths cannot clash"
Then you mean to say that God has
purposed to bring slavery into existence,
and war. alsO!'
Not at all. What I mean to say is
that His purpose Overrules and works
beyond both. Man makes slavery, and
makes war; God turns them into means
for advancing His cause"
Perhaps | can understand, Doctor,
that what you say is true. But | do not
see how the South can be right"
What are all those crowds of people
doing down on the battery? asked Ly-
dia; suddenly.
1t was about o'clock. We had walked
slowly toward the beach.
''They are all looking in our direction"
said DR.. khayme; they see something
that interests them"
Across the water in the southeast
could be seen smoke, which the wind blew
toward us. Some officers upon a low
sand-hill near us were looking intently
through their field-glasses
''I'll 20 and find out" said the Doctor;
stay here till l return"
We saw him reach the hill; one of the
officers handed him a glass; he looked,
and came back to us rapidly.
I'VE are promised a spectacle; / shall
run to my tent for glass" sail he.
What is it all about, Father:' asked
Lydia.
"A Confederate war-vessel," said he,
and was gone.
Il hope she will be captured said l.;
land | have no doubt she will
You have not read the papers latelyF'
said Lydia.
mo; what do you meang"
II mean that there are many rumOrs
OF a new and powerful iron steamer
which the Confederates have built at
Norfolk she replied.
"Iron?"
Yes, they say it is iron, or at least
that it is protected with iron, so that it
cannot be injured"
"Well, if that is the case, why do we
let our wooden ships remain here?'
The Doctor now rejoined us. He hand
ed me a glass. / could see n vessel off
toward Norfolk, seemingly headed in our
direction. Lydia took the glass. and ex-
claimed, THAT must be the Merrimac,
NldL Il StFanSe-lOOkinS snip.
The crowds on the batteries near New
port News and along the shore were fast
increasing. The Doctor said not a word;
indeed, throughout the prodgious scene
that followed he was silent, and, to all
seeming, emotionless.
Some ships of war were at anchor not
far from the shore. With the unaided
eye great hustle could be seen on these
ships; two of them We're but very short
distance from US.
The smoke in the south came nearer. |
had walked and stood until | needed rest;
| sat on the ground.
Now, at our left, toward Fortress Mon
roe, we could see three ships moving up
toward the two which were near us.
The strange vessel came on; we could
see flag flying. The design of the flag
was two broad red stripes with a white
stripe between.
The big ship was nearer; her form was
new and strange; n large roof, with lit
tie showing above it. She seemed head
ing toward Fortress Monroe.
Suddenly she swung round and came
slowly on toward our two ships near
Newport News.
The two Federal ships opened their
guns upon the rebel craft; the batteries
on shore turned loose on her.
Lydia put her hands to her ears, but
soon took them away. She was used to
wounds, but had never before seen bat
tie.
From abOve-the James River, as l af-
terward knew-now came down some
smaller rebel ships to engage in the fight,
but they were too small to count for
much.
Suddenly the Merrimac fired one gun,
still moving ON toward our last ship-the
ship at the west; still she moved on, and
on, and on, and struck our ship with her
prov, and backed.
The Union ships continued to fire; the
batteries and gunboats kept up their fire.
The big rebel boat turned and made
for our second ship, which was now en-
deavOring to get away. The Merrimac
fired upon her, gun after gun.
Our ship stuck fast, and could not
bulge, but she continued to fire.
The ship which had been rammed be-
gan to lurch and at last she sank, with
her guns firing as she went down.
Lydia's face was the picture of desc
lation. Her lips parted. The Doctor
observed her. and drew her arm within
his own; she sighed heavily, but did not
speak.
The rebel ship stood still and fred
many times on our ship aground; and
white flags were at last seen on the Union
vessel.
Now the small rebel ships approached
the prize, but our shore batteries, and
even our infantry on shore kept up a
rapid fire to prevent the capture. Soon
the small ships steamed away, and the
great craft fired again and again into the
surrendered vessel, and set her afire.
Then still another Union ship fook part