The Project Gutenberg EBook of Continental Monthly, Vol. I. February,
1862, No. II., by Various

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Title: Continental Monthly, Vol. I. February, 1862, No. II.
Devoted To Literature And National Policy

Author: Various

Release Date: October 5, 2004 [EBook #13634]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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THE

CONTINENTAL MONTHLY:

DEVOTED TO

LITERATURE AND NATIONAL POLICY.

* * * * *

VOL. I.--FEBRUARY, 1862.--NO. II.

* * * * *

OUR WAR AND OUR WANT.

Can this great republic of our forefathers exist with slavery in it?

Whether we like or dislike the question, it must be answered. As the war
stands, we have gone too far to retreat. It clamors for a brave and
manly solution. Let us see if we can, laying aside all prejudices, all
dislikes whatever, discover an honest course, simply with a view to
preserve the Union and insure its future prosperity. Let us avoid all
foregone conclusions, all extraneous issues, adhering strictly to the
one great need of the hour--how to conquer the foe, reestablish the
Union, and do this in a manner most consonant with our future national
prosperity.

It is manifest enough that in a continent destined at no distant day to
contain its hundred millions, the question whether these shall form one
great nation or a collection of smaller states is one of fearful
importance. He who belongs to a _great_ nation is thereby great of
himself. He has the right to be proud, and will work out his life more
proudly and vigorously and freely than the dweller in a corner-country.
Do those men ever _reflect_, who talk so glibly of this government as
too large, and as one which must inevitably be sundered, to what a
degradation they calmly look forward! No; Union,--come what may,--now
and ever. Greatness is to every brave man a _necessity_. Out on the
craven and base-hearted who aspire to being less than the co-rulers of a
continent. See