He is quite likely to have an opinion as to the origin and cause of the
war--as to the issues involved therein, and the results which it is
likely to bring about. There is, moreover, a multiplicity of views, and
not the unanimity of dulness.
The causes, the issues, the results of the war--momentous themes! and
likely to be thoroughly canvassed by those whom they so vitally
concern--the American citizen and our citizen soldiery.
The causes, issues, and results of the war are so intimately related
that we can scarcely think of one without also thinking of the others.
The causes are more especially a thing of the past--they already belong
to history: the results belong more particularly to the future; the
issues pertain to the present. It is these with which we have more
immediately to do, and which it behooves us, as intelligent actors in
the great drama, to understand. We should not be indifferent to results,
and we are not; but if there are real issues of right and wrong involved
in the contest, and we are in the right, we may rest assured that the
results of a successful prosecution of the war will be worthy of all our
sacrifices, and honorable to us as a people and nation.
In the midst of a beleaguered camp, with no notes of former reading, or
books of reference, it is a poor place for the elaboration of one's
ideas;--the writer, nevertheless, proposes to make a brief inquiry into
the issues involved in this terrible war.
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