The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 6, June, 1862: Devoted To Literature and National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 6, June, 1862: Devoted To Literature and National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Since every one is doing their 'little utmost' for the army, Mr. Scott
hath contributed his mite in a work on the four captains of hundreds
mentioned in the Bible--the first whereof was he of Capernaum; the
second, the one commanding at the crucifixion; the third, that of
Cesarea; and the fourth, Julius, the centurion who had Paul in charge
during his voyage to Rome. We are glad to learn, from the close
researches and critical acumen of Rev. Mr. Scott, that there is very
good ground for concluding that all of these centurions were so
impressed by the thrilling scenes which they witnessed, and the society
with which they mingled, as to have eventually been converted and saved,
a consummation which may possibly have escaped the observation of most
readers, who, absorbed in their contemplation of the great _dramatis
personae_, seldom give thought as to what the effect on the minor
characters must have been. It is worth observing that our author is
thoroughly earnest in his exhortations--at times almost naively so. If
he be often rather over-inclined to threaten grim damnation to an
alarming majority, and describe with a relish the eternal horrors which
hang around the second death, in good old-fashioned style, still we must
remember that he sincerely means what he says, and is a Puritan of the
ancient stamp.
_EDITOR'S TABLE._
There is something intensely American in such phrases as 'manifest
destiny,' 'mission,' and 'call,' and we may add, something very vigorous
may be found in the character of him who uses them. They are expressions
which admit no alternative, no second possibility. The man of a
'mission,' or of a 'manifest destiny,' may be a fanatic, but he will be
no flincher; he will strive to the bitter end, and fall dead in the
traces; _but he will succeed_.
We are glad to learn that there is growing up in the army, and of course
from it in all the homes of the whole country, a fixed impression that
the South is inevitably destined to be 'Northed' or 'free-labored,' as
the result of this war. The intelligent farmer in the ranks, who has
learned his superiority to 'Secesh,' as a soldier, and who _knows_
himself to be superior to any Southern in all matters of information and
practical creative _power_, looks with scorn at the worn-out fields,
wasteful agriculture, and general shiftlessness of the natives, and
says, with a contemptuous laugh: 'We will get better crops out of the
land, and manage it in another fashion, when _we_ settle down here.' Not
less scornfully does the mechanic look down on the clumsy, labor-wasting
contrivances of the negro or negro-stupified white man, and agree with
his mate that 'these people will never be of much account until we take
them in hand.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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