Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-01-01
Beecher's views of Non .interven,
tion.

The following characteristic and eloquent ex.
tracts, are from the THANKSGIVING Sermon
preached in his church, in Brooklyn,by the Rev.
Henry Ward Beccher, equally celebrated as 40
orator and as reformer:-
1t is the duty OF Americans to propagate oar
institutions of liberty, Just as Christian should
propagate the duties OF religion. 1t Is nether
the duty of Government nor a Christian to be,
content in standing well themselves should
try to make others participate in the benefits
they enjoy by teaching them how to obi ain them.
This cannot be done all at once. A husband
man does not SOW maize or corn ten feet high
he only drops single grain in the grouud.-
Plant then the seed, and leave 1t to God and
Nature to bring 10 perfection. Sow newspapers
and liberty OF conscience, and liberty to wor-
ship God according to the dictates of ones con-
science. These are tho sources from whence.
liberty flows.
when Sampson was seen staggering along,
shorn OF his strength, the people Knocked him,
but he was weak and blind because he had been
in prison. So is it with nations, and when we
see them staggering under the oppression of
their burdens, and making an effort, though un.
successfully, to relieve themselves, blame them
not, for they have been blinded in their long
Imprisonment. But, as in the case of Sampson,
the elements of strength are not entirely gone,
and at a fitting time will be extended to bring
down destruction on the heads of these tyrants.
Wherever we go, we must cultivate our repub-
llcan principles, and not like the tops who ram
Bile thr' ugh Europe, toadyng to foreign customs;
and foreign courts, to the disgrace of themselves
and the land which gave them birth. These are,
not Americans; they are bastards.
How noble an influence it would be if Com
MERGE should be made an institution of grace.
II it could carry books and newspapers to every
port; and instead Of New England rum, would
disseminate New England school books and the
republican sentiments of this country through
every island and continent on the face of the
earth. 1t is consong to find that the tenden
cies Of literature are toward the emf ranchise
ment as well as the enlightenment of down
trodden nations. | desire to thank God tina
there have been no historians or pc vets of AM
eminence in our country that have roved rec
reant to their principles No one W no feels tn,
inspiration of poetry, and is aware of its aImos
angelic influence could prostitute is powers t,
the demons of despotism. The lite nature of on
I, day is in favor of human liberty gerywhere. =
Another influence by which our pr Incl pies cou
! be disseminated is by our diplomat ". The tim
' ploy agents who are apes and mise rabe imitator
d of royalty, but men who will ste md in foreg
courts independent and proud of their position a
y representatives of a free nation.
:, The doctrine of non .interventi on that prevent
If US from uniting with any other ration in &C
partnership, is sound one. Blu t did the immo
e tai Washington intend that in the great field
% time, we should not labor to he Up the strugglin
e nation that has broken its chat rs | think no
N don't believe in war; il 10 Stn evil that is S
v gigantic, that hell must have been open to Civ
III it exit. But there are other evils as great, i'm
to greater than war. There is brutal ignoranc
es and oppression. Arsenic is poison, but thel
We are diseases IN The body which it cures. Thel
m are diseases in States and Nations in which WI
H. is necessary TO drive them out | believe tn
H. time is coming when the world will be held r,
n, spOnsible for the worlds peace but | also b,
7ll leve that there are tunes not far distant whe
wv we will be deinqnents in our duty toward Co
a. if we do not throw our gauntlet on the rig
es side.
Ter can walk through the streets and not int
10 iere with any of my neighbors; but think 20
We If saw bear selzlng one Of my nelghbOl
el- children, and threatening it with destrnctio
that would be doing my duty by not interfe
eu ing No And God serve me in the same wa
lin if refuse to strike one buffet What Stat
et' are to Nations now will be the great Confedc
lis, acy that will be formed hereafter The cure
on of public opinion shows the course thst dest
Inc is pursuing. Those gulf streams are made
vi God and we must follow whittier they tend.
Ill The time is fastening when the world will S
TeS to the nations who now are banded in an al
ae- anCe Of oppression" You must not destroy t
es' world 6 peace" In former times Fire, Air, n
~ US Water were supposed to be simple elements.
Lle They are now the elements that are changi
lot the world. The mariners view vessels at "a d
lance, through telescope. Now they look
" each other face to face, and they feel the pull
ton of each others hearts.
The world was never SO great as it is now,r
ever so small. Great is the grandeur of
, projects and performances small when the f
a ulty and speed with which we can hear from,
MA. travel to, distant countries is compared with
1en mode Of transit quarter of a century sine
=" rnpldity of intercourse is equivalent to
"r 20 crease IN distance. Once when Nations WI
OF at war; we could not hear the clang of the tru
av' pet or the roar of the artillery. Now we feel
ind influence and participate in the trlnmphs or
oso feats of the party with whom we sympathise
Men have done this. But it is God who wo
sc's through them as his instruments.
IN The Reverend and eloquent preacher conc
ech ded his able discourse with smile, in VIII
ra- he compared men 10 threads, of whom God ,
=, the weaver, who formed them into shapes ,
lne patterns, as in his wisdom he thought fit.
any
THE WHEEL OF FotruNE.-Gen. Ca
has gnac is now prisoner in the fortress
him Ham, in the very apartment formerly oc