all embracing, weaving into one palpitating mesh the very fibres of
being itself. The union of long-jarring nations is consummated,
perfected in us, and shall not we, the children of all climes, be _one_
in our own marvellous nationality? 'Divide and conquer' is old strategy,
but despots and tyrants strike in vain at this wondrous mingling of all
Peoples in one great PEOPLE, where the People are the Sovereigns; for
this UNION is spun in the loom of Eternal Destiny, throbs in each
linking life-pulse, is knit into our very nature, and kindles in the
close unity and sanctity of our national life under the creative breath
of God himself. Palsied be the hand armed to strike the multitudinously
mingled life of Humanity as it circles through our glorious Union!

'Peace on earth, good will to men,' chime out the Christmas bells from
old Trinity!

It is this struggle to preserve our nationality intact which has
sanctified our war, from the red heart of which has grown a patriotism
which, glowing like a central sun, burns away all the dross of our
earlier materialism, gives as self-reliance, and frees us at last from
our long tutelage to the Old World. And never had patriotism a more
solid ground than ours, since the power, growth, and safety of our
nationality are the progress, happiness, and prosperity of humanity
itself. Everything that breathes the breath of human life, however
opposed to it now, is _really_ benefited by our growth. As a Government
we stand first upon the earth; the first utterance of our brave lips
being--all men are born free and equal. Sublime, bold, and living words;
blessed be the lips which uttered them! And we are beginning to fulfil
the inspired ideal. Alas! we have suffered too much from permitting an
evil germ to grow up side by side with this great annunciation, to fall
speedily again into a like error. It has taken down into the dust our
best and dearest, saddened almost every hearthstone in the land, and,
saddest of all, wrought ruin on the Southern soul, maddening our
brethren there into modern Cains, armed against the sacred life of their
and our nationality. For what cause did Cain kill his brother?
'Because,' says St. John, 'his own works were evil, and his brother's
just.' We will surely save it, but that done, we have an arduous task
before us. Christianity and love must take the place of expediency,
machiavelism, and cunning diplomacy in the sphere of politics. We see
the smile of scorn