Year: 1861

1t is not to be presumed that National


existence can be secured without painful and


bloody struggles. If tile Government is we'll


founded and faithfully administered, it is not


to be inferred that all Will favor the right, and


vindcatc the principles of equity. Nations


as well as individuals must expect their sea-
sons of trial and confiqt. We find that trials


come in the history of angovernments, wheth-
er monarchial or republican In world like
this, life must be a struggle. We are passing
at the present time, through the scenes of a
stirring conflict, and the stormy agitations
that convulse the country threaten the over
throw of the Government. The leaders of
the rebellion appear confident of success, or
else they would not thus venture their all
npon the results of the conflict in which they
have involved the country and some who
claim to be impartial judges of the prospect,
represent it as chimercnl to think of the sub
dugation of the insurgents. But we hope
fer better things as it regards the results. We
infer the success of the Government in the
full suppression Of the present formidable re-
belion.


We have the men and the means of pros
ecuting the present war to successful tcrmi-
nation. The loyal States have very large
majority over those in rebellion in available
men that may be called into service. In
connection with this thoro never was a time
in tae history of the country, when there was
on hand greater surplus Of provisions for
man and beast. The harvest of the last year
was abundant, and the one that ia now being
gathered promises an ample return for the la
bors of the husbandman. We have not
mere y the means for the vigorous prosecu-
tlon Of the war, but there is a strength of pur-
pose that would force it forward in triumph,
even through a comparative destitution of
means. TIE feeling Of the North is such at
this juncture, that nothing short of an entire
overthrow of the rebellion will satisfy the
stern demand Of the people, and this very
feeling is the precursor of our success. A
few months since we could not have anticipa-
ted such perfect union at the North, and its
existence at the present time is an unexpected
blow that is deeply felt at the South. The
reverses Of the Government have only aug
neuted this feeling, and more fully developed
The strength of the nation.


A strong religious element enters into this
struggle to maintain the Government. This
we might expect, when we contemplate the
nature of true religion, and the principles
involved lii this contest. The greatest won
der is, how the rebellion can make any claim
to Christianity, or appeal to Heaven to give
success to their arms We can only explain
this, on the suppositiou that the cause needs
a covering for its moral delormities, and
that Hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays
TO virtue The Government founded by our
Puritan fathers was based on the principles
If Christianity, aud consecrated by their
prayers and baptised by their blood and tears
They designed that in its existence God
should be honored, and the inalienable rights
It humanity recognized and defended. The
land of Providence can be traced in our
ation's history, and we are at loss to de-
ermine how any persou can be Christian,
nd at the same time seek to overthrow a
Government so evidently owned of God, and
connected with the we'll being of
and the prosperity of the cause of
yhrist. Shall we wonder, then, that the
Jhurch prays for the success of the Govern
nent, and Christian soldiers 60 to fight for
heir country, and that their camps are often
nade vocal with the voice of prayer and
raise


We are contending for the right. 1t is in
act conflict of truth with error, light with
arkness, freedom with slavery, and Chris
ian principle with tho sordid dictates of
endish passion. If truth is mighty and is