Loss of National Existence to be More Deplored than War (Dec. 1861)

Source: The Friend. Honolulu: December 2, 1861. Page 94

Nevertheless, leaving the responsibility of the beginning and continuance of this conflict to those on whom it must rest, I feel equally bound to say, that beyond all the evils of the present war, with all its calamities, losses, sufferings and sins, would be the loss of national existence, the permanent severance to the American Union. A nation may well suffer in the maintenance of the principles on which it was founded. Individual suffering and loss, social and commercial embarrassment or bankruptcy, the prostration of credit, the impoverishment of cities, the loss of life; bad as they are, are yet not to be considered in comparison with the great and enduring evils of national ruin. Whether the present war continues one year or ten, it is not so bad as the continued series of wars and internal strifes that would certainly succeed the disruption of the Union. There would be witnessed here the same tragedies which kept the German States so many generations in almost unending conflict, the effects of which have not yet passed away. Nay, our case would be far worse than theirs, for servile war would be added to all other evils. The question now before us is not to determine upon war or peace. This has already been determined, with or without our intervention, and beyond all present control. It is manifest, regret it as we may, that the war, the trial of strength, if you please to call it so, must go on until one of two things happens — either, the "Seceding States," having sufficiently proved the folly of rebellion and the strength of the Government will return to the Union, not as subjugated, but as equal States, as they were before, or, both parties becoming weary of the contest, a treaty of peace, with some sort of re-adjustment of interests, will be declared. In the former case, a new era of happiness and national glory will begin. In the latter, a temporary truce with renewals of war and divisions—a condition of things little better than anarchy, for an indefinite period, is the best to be expected. But to attain either result, the. active prosecution of the present war for a time, how long no one can say, is now understood to be an unavoidable condition. The only thing left for individuals to do is to choose on which side they will stand. We speak with sadness, and the stem-reality of passing events Is yet more sad. For weeks, for months, perhaps for years, this fearful civil war is destined to go on. But if it results at last, as God grant it may, in the full re-establishment of the United States government in its integrity and pristine vigor, the sacrifice will have been well endured, the suffering will not have been in vain.
— Loyalty and Religion — By Rev. W. C. Eliot, St. Louis.