The issues of the war might be symbolized by the picture of a great river; the smaller branches forming still larger ones, and these putting into the main stream--unity--itself, as it descends, widening into the great ocean of the future. These issues might, also, be exhibited in a kind of formula. The following is no doubt very imperfect, but it may be somewhat suggestive. The first includes the second, the second the third: I. Political unity _vs._ secession: { A progressive civilization _vs._ a stagnant one; { A republican form of government _vs._ an aristocratic one; II. { Personal freedom _vs._ chattel slavery; { General peace _vs._ diplomatic intrigue and war; { An enlarged individual freedom _vs._ espionage, censure, { and restriction: { Common schools and general intelligence _vs._ partial { culture and general ignorance; { Free inquiry _vs._ conventional stultification; { Free speech and a free press _vs._ the surveillance { of a mercenary police; { The political equality of classes _vs._ the inequality of { ruling, servile, and disfranchised classes; { Respect for the affections _vs._ disregard for ties of { home and family; { Wages labor _vs._ compulsory labor; III. { The dignity of labor _vs._ the opprobrium and servility { of labor; { A healthy industrial activity _vs._ indolence and { crushing toil; { The continual specialization of industry _vs._ industrial { sameness; { Incentives to invention and improvement _vs._ mechanical { inactivity; { A constantly renewed soil _vs._ an exhausted one; { A great navy and flourishing commerce _vs._ general { commercial apathy; { Great industrial prosperity _vs._ industrial { stagnation; { Greater variety and versatility in life _vs._ a narrow { and bigoted uniformity. As I close the preparation of this article for the press (November 26th), it becomes positively known that General Bragg is in full retreat. This is a great victory, and splendidly won. There has been no 'straggling to the rear,' no faltering, no serious reverse; the entire three days' conflict, from first to last, has gone right on. A noble victory, and worthy of a noble cause! Soldiers from every great section of the Union--from every State almost--have stood by the side of each other in the perilous conflict. Many have fallen a sacrifice to their country's great cause, unity. Let homage and gratitude from the deep-stirred heart of the nation be theirs; may they long be remembered; and may those who survive, long live to enjoy the fruits of their victory!