The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-02-11


seemed proper. Now, at the expiration
of four years, during which public
declarations have been constantly call
ed forth on every point and phase of
the great contest which still absorbs the
attention and engrosses the energies of
the nation, little that is new could be
presented. The progress of our arms,
upon which all else chiefly depends, is
as well known to the public as to my
self; and it is, trust, reasonably salts
factory and encouraging to all. With
high hope for the future, no prediction
in regard to it is ventured.
On the occasion corresponding to this
four years ago, all thoughts were
anxiously directed to an impending
civil war. All dreaded it-all sought
to avert it. While the inaugural adj
dress was being delivered from this
place, devoted altogether to saving the
Union without war, insurgent agents
where in the city seeking to destroy it
without war-seeking to dissolve the
Union, and divide effects. by negotia
ton. Both parties deprecated war; but
one of them would make war rather
than let it perish. And the war came,
One eighth of the whole population
were colored salves, not distributed
generally over the Union, but localized
in the southern part of it. These slaves
constituted a peculiar and powerful in
terest. All knew that this interest was,
somehow, the cause of the war. TO
strengthen. perpetuate, and extend this
interest was the object for which the
insurgents would rend the Union. even
by war; while the government claimed
no right to do more than to restrict the
territorial enlargement of it. Neither
party expected for the war the magni-
tude or the duration which it has al
ready attained. Neither anticipated
that the cause of the conflict might
cease with, or even before, the conflict
Itself should cease. Each looked for an
easier triumph, and a result less fun
damental and astounding. Both read
the same Bible, and pray to the same
God; and each invokes his aid against
the other 1t may seem strange that
any man should dare to ask "A lust
'od assistance in wringing their
bread from the sweat of other mems
faces; but let us judge not. that we be
not judged. The prayers of both could
not be swered-that of neither has
been answered fully.
The Almighty has his own purposes.
Woe unto the world because of ot1eps-
es, for it must needs be that otfenses
come; but woe To that man by whom
the otfense cometh.' five shall sup
pose that American slavery is one of
those otlenses which, in the providence
of God, must needs come, but which.
having continued through his appoint
ed time, he now wills to remove, and
that he gives to both North and South
N'''' 'NiiibiO W al, aS tiit zoe uue 10
those by whom the offenses come, shall
we discern therein any departure from
those divine attributes which the be-
levers in a living God always ascribe
to him? Fondly do we hope-fervently
do we pray-that this mighty scourge
of war may speedily pass away. Yet,
if God wills that it continue until all
the wealth piled by the bondman's two
hundred and fifty years of unrequited
toll shall be sunk, and until every drop
of blood drawn with the lash shall be
paid by another drawn with the sword, |
as was said three thousand years ago,
so still it must be said, The judgments
of the Lord are true and righteous alto
gether."
With malice toward none; with chart |
ty for all; with firmness in the right as
God gives us to see the right let us
strive on to finish the work we are in;
to bind up the nations wounds: to care
for him who shall have borne the bat
tie, and for his widow, and and his or
phan-to do all which may achieve and
cherish just, a lasting. peace among
ourselves and with all nations.