say that the United
States is, in this war, actuated by the lust for power, and is not moved
by the inspiration of great ideas, we oppose the foregoing candid
statement of a third party, and one not very likely to be prejudiced in
our favor. It is the testimony of an unwilling witness, and therefore of
great weight.
Summing up the points that have been considered in this paper, it seems
clear that so far as the war is a contest for ideas, the North, standing
for the United States, has the right of it. For, first, we contend for
political equality, the grand idea of the age and the ages;
comprehending within itself, and presupposing, as a logical premise, the
grander idea of liberty. Thus also we vindicate the rights of man, as a
fact of government and as a principle of political philosophy. And,
secondly, we contend for the sacred right of order, as opposed to the
destructive radicalism of revolution for the sake of oppression and not
in the name of liberty.
We believe that our nation has been born, in the providence of God, to
the magnificent mission of developing the democratic idea, of the rule
of the people--the idea that every man is a king, and that humanity
itself is royal because made in the image of God. The nation is now
vindicating that mission before the world. In the success of it all the
great ideas that cheer on our poor humanity in its toiling
march--liberty, justice, political order--confirmed and made sure by a
government organized for the purpose of securing and maintaining them,
are bound up; and--with that mission those ideas, as organized powers,
must live or die.
HINTS TO THE AMERICAN FARMER.
It does not so much signify what a man does for a livelihood, provided
he does it well. The people must sooner or later learn this catholic
doctrine, or one element of republicanism will never be knit into our
character. The doing it well is the essential point, whether one builds
a ship or writes a poem. Does the American farmer do his work well? And,
if not, wherewith shall he be advised, persuaded, encouraged, and taught
to do better or the best?
It is estimated that three fourths of the people of the United States
are agriculturists, and nearly all the rest laborers of some sort
dependent upon them. Every economist knows that the interests of
agriculture, manufactures, and commerce are one and indivisible. He who
by word or deed helps one, helps all, and thereby moves civilization
onw
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