Union News, Broome County, New York, October 17, 1861
We have been requested to publish the following correspondence, between Rev. L. Mersereau, of Brooklyn, N.Y., to his brother John C. Merserreau who is in the Army in Va., on presenting the latter with a Bible and his reply to it. Ed. News
My Dear Brother: As you have taken your sword in hand and have already started for the field of action, allow me one word of encouragement.
Never did man unsheath the sword in holier cause. The war of the Revolution was a glorious and meritorious conflict, a holy undertaking of our Fathers, and most nobly conducted to its triumphant consummation. Noble hearts of noble men were they, who fought and gained our cause then. Yes, dear brother, the days of Washington were great and responsible days, the c...ms of the country were riveted upon him. He felt and confessed the mighty load. Unborn interests of unborn millions hung on the result of those days, and that result, purchased by the blood of our Fathers, constituted a home for the free, an asylum for the oppressed of all nations and tongues, aye, a home for free institutions.
Under these free institutions, the thirteen original states have [grown] populous and rich--rich beyond comparison. State after State has been added to the thirteen, until they are almost tripled, each State assisting and assisted by the other, each being cherished by all and all sustaining a grand, unique natural whole, the like of which was enjoyed by mankind. Yet Rebellion "Mirable dictu," has presumed to raise its hideous head, in the tale of national prosperity, with States each grown rich with State privileges superior to any ever before enjoyed by man, with a national name above every name. For what nation or people did not revel in the [benefits] of our national power. When had the Stars and Stripes waved in vain? In what country on the Globe was an American citizen not protected? Are those days to be bygones? Is that emblem to cease its power? Unhallowed is the hand uplifted against it! Filled with hellish strife is the heart that wishes to see it tarnished! If ever rebellion was wicked, then that which is now raging to overthrow the power of the Stars and Stripes is the one. That rebellion shall be crushed, its leaders must be ground to powder, the whole is a monstrosity, and the whole shall be bled and washed out. The Stripes shall remain blazing in the breeze. The Stars shall continue to bespangle our firmament of free institutions. They united shall continue to wave in triumph over our land from the Lakes to the gulf, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and our children and children's children shall yet bask under the protecting light of the Stripes and point of the Stars. O wave on Stars and Stripes, declare thy diction Stars and Strips, and palsied be the hand.
for the preservation of that flag, you have backed on your sword. May God allow you to see the end of this rebellion. If, on the contrary, the blood which courses in your veins must be shed in achieving this object, then feel that the cause is just. Feel that you are called of God to battle for his race, and say, if it be heaven's will, I cheerfully bow. The sacrifice shall be ready at the appointed time. My brother with spirit: Christ is with thee.
Cherishing such sentiments, I know that you will accept this Bible. I present this Bible to you. You are now a soldier. This Bible is the true soldier's companion. It is his Rock, his Refuge. It is a battery that the enemy cannot take. It is your hope in the sunshine and in the storm, in life and in death, it never has failed them that trusted in it. Its pages have been purchased by the blood of God's only son. A book which has never failed to afford solace to the Martyr whose authenticated pages has been oft times moistened by our mother's tears, a Book which breathes life in the midst of death! For this Bible came the Pilgrim Fathers' to this country, from a home of denied Bibles to a home of Bibles free. Will you take this book as the great Washington did. He made it his heart's companion. He took it as the choice of life, the trust in death, the hope of better worlds, let me deposit in thine own hand.
I have said the days of Washington were great days. The cause of our Fathers in the Revolution was a holy cause, yet they fought and bled for prospective. They possessed not the fruit, only the small seed, the blossoms. It remains for us to live under the tree which they planted, whose blossoms they saw, but whose rich and delicious fruit we have eaten. They planted the corn which we have harvested. They trod the fields in their wild condition. We have them in their best cultivated state. they fought and bled for the privilege of experiment, we for an inheritance, a demonstrated, blood bought, and long possessed inheritance. Had they failed, there would have been a delay of great blessing, our cause failing, then the liberties of this Continent are crushed, and the promise of our world rolled back for ages, the hopes of philanthropists are blotted out, and the unwelcome truth, the motto of selfish beings and despots, must be admitted "that man in incapable of self-government." But this is a libel on the words of God; it never will be true, it never shall be admitted. The hopes of philanthropists are the inspirations of God and shall not be blotted out, but shall be read in beautiful lines over this continent. The promise of the world shall not go back, the liberties of this Continent are not to be crushed, but greatly enlarged. I feel that our cause is in the hands of God. In his hands the true soldier is safe. Go forth then, armed with the whole armor of God. Take this Bible and with it heaven's best protection. Take it and with it a brother's most ardent prayers. Take this book and with it remember a mother's dying request. Take this Bible and with it receive God's richest boon to man, to yourself.
Your brother, L. Mersereau.
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Headquarters 43d Reg., Co. H, N.Y.SV., Camp Hancock, Oct. 4, 1861
My Dear Brother: I shall ever remember your kindness to me, especially in this last but most delightful remembrancer.
This beautiful Bible is indicative to me of what is truly great and good, and especially, at this very opportune time, do I esteem it.
In it, the gift of his Son sought the good of the human race. When Christ shed his blood for man, he did it to make man better.
The Bible inculcates the doctrine of human progress, man's destiny seems to be onward and upward. I feel with you, that in drawing my sword, it is done for preservation of divine privileges.
We fight for human prosperity. We feel that our Government is the best ever devised by man, hence we strive to maintain it. Who can read the Holy Bible, and not find his heart inspired with sentiments of interest in behalf of freedom and free institutions.
I have drawn my sword for my country, my whole country, and nothing short of my country. I go forth not to devastate, but to defend, not to tear down, but to build up.
We seek to save our country and nothing more. I love the Stars and Stripes, and I hope to see them wave over thirty-four States still.
Willingly have I drawn my sword, and willingly will I sheath it, when the last foe of our glorious country has laid down his weapon of hostility, and has taken the oath the allegiance to the home of the free.
But as I am now a soldier and not a public speaker like yourself, you will please accent these few words in acknowledgement of my many obligations to you, and remember me.
Your brother, J.C. Mersereau, Co. H, 43d Reg. N.Y.S.V.
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