22 RADICALISM AND THE NATIONAL CRISIS. jugated. I do not ask him to adopt all my reasons for this position. What I ask, is that he adopt the position itself. I exhort you, in the third place, patiently, cheerfully, and hopefully to bear the burdens of this struggle. I know, they are great; and they may become very much greater. Some of you have given your sons and kindred to the war; and some of you mourn the loss of those who have poured their honored blood upon the altars of their country. We have all felt, and are still feeling, and shall long continue to feel, the sad consequences of this unhappy strife. And yet, unless I am utterly at fault in my apprehension of the case, the cause is worthy of the sacrifice. The character and capacities of the American people never shone more brightly than during the last eighteen months of their history. The bravery of our soldiers, their patient and long endurance, their heroic achievements on the field of deadly conflict,—the voluntary enlistment of nearly a million of men— the creation, almost in a day, of a vast navy—the ample supply of the sinews of war,—the organization of committees and associations to provide for the physical, moral, and spiritual good of the army—the services rendered by the women,—the co-operation of the Christian ministry—the voice of prayer in almost every sanctuary, and in almost every assemblage of the saints— the oft-repeated judgment of ecclesiastical bodies—: these, and the like facts, declare that the American people cherish their national government with an undying devotion, and that they are as energetic and invincible in war as they are prosperous in the arts of peace. Though not hitherto bred to fighting, they can fight. Fighting is their strange work; and yet when it comes to this, they have shown thdmselves equal to the hour. Let us then go on in just this line of action, and keep going on, patiently, cheerfully, and hopefully doing all things, daring all things, bearing all things, meeting all emergencies, yielding to no discouragement, superior to temporary disaster, swearing upon the altars of our country that we will never lay down the sword, till the last armed rebel against the Constitution and the Union is either subjugated or dead. This was our motto in the outset; and I hope, it will be to the end. I of course wish, that this
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