lence of mankind, and are most eloquent and pathetic in their descriptions of the misery and suffering of the freed negroes, "Who," Frederick Douglas says, "require justice, and not generosity," at the hands of the Federal government and people in the Northern States of America, and the latter of whom find ample means to send agents to convey immense numbers of the ablest and best skilled workmen from Europe, free of expense to America, whilst they turn away from the Blacks, at their door, in the Southern camps, and leave them to the cold pittance of charity, or to help themselves in the best way they can, when, by providing them the means of conveyance, as in the case of European white people, they would be able to keep themselves in freedom, and those who are dependent on them, without eleemosynary aid. How consoling to those of us, who have stood on the high places of the American church, and fearlessly and faithfully pointed out the dangers and duty of the American churches and people, and the coming storm of God's vengeance, until we were driven by the brutal hand of persecution from its altars, and from property and home, into exile, where we have been no indifferent spectators of the terrible calamities which have befallen America. It is of little moment what others may think or say of us; whether the scorner may pass by us with mocking tongue; or whether we may be left to the tender mercies of an unfeeling world, ours is a reward which no man can take from us. We feel amply compensated in the testimony of an approving conscience despite the dangers through which we have passed, the years, of tribulation we have been called to endure, and the loss of property and friends. We have been violently assaulted both in person and character, in America and England, by misguided zealots and partisans, but we commit ourselves to Him who judgeth righteously, and calmly await the issue. What a source of discomfort it must be to wicked men that there is One who is higher and mightier than themselves, who creates, plans, and acts alone, as the great originator, the supreme controller, and sovereign disposer of all events, the reasons and issues of whose sovereign will and pleasure in the creation, government, and disposal of all things are with Himself, and therefore underived and unimparted only as He chooses to make them known. Had it been otherwise, according to the London Spectator, in the following comment which the editor made on an article called the "Inklings of Peace," we might tremble for the cause of liberty and the Divine Government itself. The Spectator says that the New York Tribune, Sep. 21, 1862, holds out a distinct promise to the South that if it will return to its obedience before Jan. 1, the date at which the proclamation of freedom to the slaves takes effect, on the basis of the Constitution, it may rule the Union again, as of old, by the aid of the Northern Democrats. All will be forgiven, and even a convention to revise the terms of the Constitution and give further guarantees to the South, might be conceded. Such is the language of the most earnest and the most anti-slavery of the Republican organs. It is difficult for England to conceive a dereliction of principle more shameful and infamous. After shedding oceans of blood in the cause which the Republican leaders have always asserted to be the cause of freedom, they offer to become once more, for a new cycle of shame and misery, the tools of the men who have fought the cause of slavery. These idolators would not hesitate to vote slavery even into a future state "on the basis of the Constitution," if it would save a single star or stripe to the Union flag. Had they been consulted on the first great secession of archangels, there would have been no disunion between Heaven and Hell, and no Divine Government since. These are the men who are now receiving such unqualified praise, whose pathway is to be strewn with flowers, and who are to receive the world's homage and esteem! There is an old adage, that whilst man "proposes, God disposes." Neither government in the North or South intended to interfere with slavery when the war commenced; but, eventually, both parties met face to face using the slave for the accomplishment of their different objects on the basis of freedom. All parties, therefore, so far as negro emancipation is concerned, whether combatants or non-combatants, actors in the fearful tragedy, or only spectators in this fearful contest, can take up the song of Whittier : LAUS DEO! It is done Clang of bell and roar of gun Every tongue exulting tells Loud and long that all may hear, Let us kneel! God's own voice is in that peal, And this spot is holy ground. Lord forgive us! What are we, That our ears have heard the sound? For the Lord, On the whirlwind is abroad; Loud and long, Lift the exulting song; Sing with Miriam by the sea; He hath cast the mighty down; Horse and rider sink and drown; He hath triumphed gloriously! Did we dare In our agony of prayer Ask for more than He has done? Stretched as now beneath the sun! How they pale Ancient myth, and song, and tale, In this wonder of our days, When the cruel rod of war Blossoms white with freedom's rights, And the wrath of man is praise! Blotted out All within and all about Shall a fresher life begin; Freer breathes the universe As it rolls its heavy curse On the dead and buried sin! It is done! In the circuit of the sun Ring and swing Bells of joy! on morning's wing Send the song of praise abroad: With a sound of broken chains Tell the nations that He reigns Who alone is Lord and God!" THE END. |