THE SACRIFICE OF CONTIN UAL PRAISE. 11 spects, an experiment. Despotism and absolutism, every where throughout the world, had a sneer ready for a republic such as this, giving to its citizens the widest possible liberty, and conferring the boon of almost universal suffrage. We were gravely told that such a government would do well enough for “the piping times of peace,' but could never stand the shock of war, or pass through the ordeal of extensive national disturbance. And now, since we have stood up, bravely battling with this direful enemy, that has placed his fangs upon our throat, what message of cheer has come from the nations of the earth? With few exceptions, not a word but of scorn and taunting. They have foretold, in their newspapers and in counsels, and their state cabinets, that the wound was incurable, and that the proud, defiant republic of the western continent, must ignobly, terribly fall; standing no longer to rebuke their assumption, or inspire hope in the breasts of the slaves they crushed beneath their thrones. But are they not mistaken ? Are we not alive to-day ? I do not need to be reminded that this struggle is by no means over, that victory has not as yet crowned our warfare against rebellion, that there is much to be done before we sing the song of final tri- umph, and that he that puttetli on the harness or yet wears it, is not to boast as he that putteth it off Be it so ; al least in this we may rejoice, that God has not as yet delivered us over to their evil prophecies. Those who now contend for this new-born nation may yet, and if God shall give them the victory, will hail the hour of triumph, and witness with exulta
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