Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-04-12
WHAT OF THE NIGHT

To the close observer OF passing events, the
signs OF the times cannot be otherwise than
fraught with interest. Public opin a is con-
stantly undergoing q change, and that change
must, in the course OF events, tell with effect
upon the welfare of the people and the desti.
MES of our country. Perhaps, in the histor,
OF our nation, there never was a period SO in
tensely interesting as the present. The lover
OF American institutions, or, if you please
true Republicanism, contemplates passing e.
vents with fear and trembling. The war OF
mere political opinions, or preference for one
system Of principles over another, SO far as
politics Are concerned, has passed away, and
graver and more serious questions than those
of a Tariff, or Bank, are mingled in The con
tests at the Ballot box. A crisis seems to be
approaching in our affairs, and we fear the
elements are being dashed into such storms of
fury that oil will never calm the troubled
waters. Those who are assisting 10 brew the
tempest, may get the elements so high, that
when they would, they cannot speak them
calm. 1t is a time when every lover Of his
country and her Institutions, should ponder
well the issues and results. The passions
and prciudices of men are more appealed TO
than their reason aud justice. The hydra
headed dragon of religious intolerance and
bigotry mingles in our political contests 10 a
fearful extent, and where these things are 10
end, Heaven only can tell! A spirit akin TO
that which has proven the destruction Of so
many nations in times past, has seized upon
a portion of our people, and the first fruits of
The monster are witnessed in the scenes which.
at intervals transpire at our hitherto peaceful
elections. Religious intolerance, that baneful
split which is the most to be dreaded, has
placed its cloveB feet upon our happy shores,
and threatens serious results to our nation end
institutions. Although The cloud may not
now be larger thon a mans hand, yet it will
continue to increase in size and portentious-
ness, until the stor in all its fury will burst
upon us. We behold it gathering in the East,
the West, the North and the South, and our
only hope is in the virtue of the people, the
stability Of our institutions and the overru ling
Providence Of God. Never at any former pc.
Tiod have the signs of the times been SO fear
full. Never before has the spirit OF proscrip-
ton, with all its train of dire evils been so.
wildly portrayed. If the virtue and ~intelli-
gence OF the American people donot rise above
The contending elements, and calm down the
rising storm, it may not be many months before
the dark veil Of internal Instruction and
commotion, will spread like a pail over our
happy land, and visit upon US all the dire re-
suits OF fanaticiSm and prescription. From
such a condition, may Heaven in mercy pre-.
serve Americat
We impugn not the motives and intentions
of those who are tanning the blaze. They
my believe that their duty to themselves and
future generations demand such o course.-
They may believe that the institutions of our
are in danger from the insidious wiles
OF q secret enemy, whom in our benevolence
we have warmed into life, and who in return
is preparing 10 strike deep his subtle poison,
but, we ask in all seriousness, whether we are
not escaping one vortex to be engu!phed in a
There is no rule so much to be
as that of a religious political, (f we
may SO style i) administration. None so
feared by tie American people, but are
they not in a great degree fastening the very
of affairs of which they have such
horforf' Priesterctt, or the rule of the
Inqnistt'0n, would be the direst evil which
Almighty God could permit 10 come upon this
But would not Protestantism, we
submit was it to have the sway, p%rofting by
The Infamous proceedings of Romanism in other
nges, go still farther in its prosecutions. Ask.
IN horror, If you please, ais thy servant a dog
that he should do this thing2" but, remember
n humility the sequel Men in all countries
Ind ages OF the world, have been aud are TO
some extent the same, actuated by the same /,
passions and preludices, ami that from which {
hey would shrink to-day, tomorrow they
will 10, and claim it is performing God service.