that our national attitude in the war is what it is. Through the thick cloud that envelops the present, we may look for a brighter future. We expect the perpetuity of the American Union. We expect the return of the seceding States upon the ancient basis, and with the old national feeling. There will be deep joy and thanksgiving, but there will be no triumph over the result. It will be Americans meeting Americans after a temporary alienation. It was a law in the Roman state that the general who had been victorious in a civil war should enjoy no triumph. It was only when the struggle had been with a foreign enemy, and the Roman arms had been successful, that the Imperator returned to the city in his triumphal chariot, followed by his soldiers and the long line of captives and spoils. But when the contest had been between Roman and Roman; when the state had succeeded in quelling an intestine rebellion, or settling an internal dissension; the successful general found his triumph in his success and the private regard of the citizens. Antony celebrated no triumph even over the suppression of the conspiracy of Catiline; Cinna and Marius arrogated to themselves no public honors for their victory over the party of Sulla; and Julius Cæsar, after the memorable bat

tle of Pharsalia, did not lead the remnants of the great party of Pompey, in chains, up the Capitolian Hill. A civil war is too sad, and too exhausting, to be followed by triumphal processions.

In this spirit let the war be prosecuted. Let it be confined strictly to the restoration of the authority of the Constitution over all parts of the land. Let it be understood that the questions in dispute between the North and the South may and can be settled by the old constitutional and peaceful methods of public discussion and the ballot box; but that their settlement by armed revolution, by the dismemberment of the American Union, and by the establishment of another government upon the Southern borders of the land, is impossible. Right, and justice, and moderation will then be the strength of our cause. With all our sin and unworthiness, we can nevertheless appeal to the God of battles that our motives in this war are upright, and that our success will be a blessing to the entire nation, South as well as North. Then may we lift

up in thanksgiving that lowly, and that lofty psalm: "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us ; then had they swallowed us up quick, when their

;

wrath was kindled against us; then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

THE END.