Whatever may be the outcome, since governance is not unrewarded, some
one will always be found to take charge of it. Let the new ruler even
favor slavery (and in what does slavery consist except in contempt
and suppression of the individuality of a primitive people?), since
advantage may be derived from the life of slaves, from their number,
and even from their welfare, then slavery will be endurable under him
provided he is a calculator to any extent. They will at least always
find life and support. Why, then, should they thus struggle? According
to both of them, it is peace which transcends everything in their
opinion, but this is disturbed only by the continuance of the
struggle. The slave, therefore, puts forth every effort to end it
quickly; he will yield and submit--and why should he not? He never had
a higher purpose, and he has never expected anything more from life
than the continuance of his existence under endurable conditions. The
promise of a life lasting, even here, beyond the duration of earthly
life--this alone is what can inspire him to death for the fatherland.
Thus it has always been. Wheresoever real government has existed,
where serious struggles have been fought out, where victory has been
won against mighty resistance, it has been the promise of eternal
life that governed and fought and conquered. The German Protestants,
formerly mentioned in these addresses, fought with faith in this
promise.
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