motive, and therefore elevating in its influence.
We are consciously better, nobler, in proportion as
we forget ourselves in the sublime idea of our nationality,
and all that this nationality can do. When men
fight for plunder, or victory alone, they labor downward,
they become brutish; but a war for true liberty, for
national life, for our homes and our inheritance,
and for the oppressed, is elevating, purifying.
War is terrible in itself, and in some of its consequences,
but there is a bow on the cloud. When the bolt
has spent itself in the pestiferous air, all nature
is bright and glorious. With true discipline,
soldiers are made vigorous in body; they are also
quickened in mind by the tactics and incitements of
warfare, they are ennobled by high motives, and may
leave the campaign better than when they entered it.
Courage is awakened; love of liberty and order inspired;
benevolence increased; and loyalty exalted by this
war. What men bleed for they value. I have
been delighted with the eagerness with which many
soldiers whom I have visited, listened to Christian
address, and received the word of God. It is a
matter of gratulation that but few arrests are made
in our city in these days, not because the police
are less watchful, but because the debased portion
of the population are inspired with a better thought.
It is also hopeful to find, that many who entered
our city as volunteers, or as drafted soldiers, are
actually being reformed from their evil habits, under
the greater strictness of camp discipline.
We are cheered also by the fact that the people generally
are more earnest than formerly in their attendance
on divine worship; more solemn, and full of feeling,
and disposed to study the Bible, They need God.
They look to God. We all feel the Bible to be
more than ever precious. Its solemn prophecies
are swelling into fulfillment. The day of God
is approaching, and the kingdoms of the earth are
giving way for the coming of the Great King!
The feeling is, and ought to be, intense for the conflict.
Let the question be decided. Let half a million
of freemen be called, when the time shall indicate,
to form a line of fire along the boundary that separates
Secession from loyalty. Let them take up their
mighty march through the revolted territory, if it
will not otherwise submit, and proclaim as they go,
“Liberty throughout the land!” Let the
flag that waved over the suffering heroes of Valley
Forge, and the conquerors of Yorktown, wave forever
on the Capitol, and over every village and subject
in the land! Nay, it must be so. We must
bow, if we do not conquer. They have proclaimed
it. Come down, then, from the Northern mountains,
and out from the forests and the fields, ye sons of
the Pilgrims, with your firm force of will, and your
achieving arms! Come up from the marts of commerce,
ye daring children of the Empire State, and ye firm
hearts of New Jersey and of Delaware! Come forth
from the echoes of Erie, and the shores of Michigan