Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-06-24
Gro. WoopBnID0F, Sec'y
Brethren and F.l,or. Citizens,

fully aud earnestly. n few conservative remarks
IN the present alarming crisis In our national at
fairs.
Our clerical profession. though il has restrain
I'd US from taking active part in political mat.
iers. has not auenched the ardor Of our patriot.
ism We cherish our invaluable birth right,
the liberty, civil and religious secured for US by
the toll. yaor and blood Of our fathers. We
are fervently aitachsdto our national ipsiiiu-
tons, planned by the wisdom, md consolidated
by the con .ervaiiye spirit Of the rev olutionary
patriots. We love our oouniry-.our whole coun.
try--our country with oil its faults. We look
upon the citizen. of every State of the Union as
our brethren. Of oil the people on the face of
the earth. they have the greatest cause to he
thankful and contented. The sun does not shine
upon nation so free. 50 prosperous. so favored.
as ours. We deem il our solemn duty, as IA.
irots and Christians, 10 contribute in every law
full method to the perpeiuaion Of blessings NJ no.
merous, so various aud so rich.
We have seen. with painful soliciude. the ag
iiations which have married the pence and threat.
enad the stability of our Union. Sectional jeel-
ousies and bitterness have. TO a great degree,
nsurped the place of patriotism aud brothcrly
love. Citizens of the same country. descendants
of some race, inheriors of the Same priceless
privileges, guardians of the same beneficient in
situations, are set in deadly hostility against each
other. The spirit oil violence, showing itself in
misrepresentation and abuse, in the licentious-
moss of the tongue. and of the pressn personal
assaults. in insubordinntion and in armed resis-
lance to lawful authority is rife and spreading
in the country. The flames of civil war are
kindling on our borders. As American citizens
we are humblcd, and MS Christians we are deeply
mortified and grived at this State of things.
We have seen that, in various parts ef the
country, meetings are called. conventions are
held speeches delivered. resolutions are
adopted aud al or nearly all. are designed to agi-
tate, inhame, excite the worst passions of the hui
man heart, and add fuel 10 the fame that threat
ems to consume the noble fabric Of our govern
ment. We have read no account of any meet
ing assembled for tho patriotic and Christian pur
pose Of allaying the popular excitement, awaking
tho conservative spirit of the people aud invok.
ing the blessing Of the Most High on our rulers
and On our nation.
We believe that God regns in rghte ousness
over the nations of the earth. His graci Gus and
controlling providence has been emnenly dis
played in the history of our believed country
Onr revolutionary fathers acknowledged the
ereignty Of God. relied on his sustaining rewer,
and sought. by fasting, humiliation and prayer.
10 deprcnte His wrath and Ia secure his guidance
md protection, in the unequal struggle in which
they engaged. Nor did they appeal 10
Him in vain. BY many wonderful interpretations
He gave them the victory. and enabled them To
establish government, which has been the Ad-
miration of the world and the hope of republican
liberty. From the suspicious dawn of our re-
pnblc to this hour, He has been the guide. de-
fence and benefnctor oi our nation. The perpet
ulty of our national institutions and the prosper
ity Of our country. depend on His blessings; and
humbly trust He who watched over our ma
tional infnncy, and has nourishsd US to vigorous
manhood, will not n,w forsake us. We are
sure he will not it. by our national iniquites,we
IN f,rfai fav al Ia
We regard the law of God as the foundation of
all human law, binding by its preoepts all men
OF every sphere and calling in life, and the stand
ard by which all human actions should be judg
ed aud we, therefore, earnestly deprecate all ex
asperatng personalities, all asperity and intem
pernnce Of language, all resorts 10 ply steal force
for rcdress.as contrary to the teachings of Gods
word, and as derogatory to that elevated cisiliza
iion of which that word is the origin. the rule,
and the safeguard
In view of these considerations. il seems good
to US to address few words of exhortaton to
our fellow citizens. In the present circumstan-
ces. il is the obvious and imperative duty of all
to cherish patriotic, candid, kind and forbegr-
ing spirit. Let us seduously avoid every word
aud deed. which tend to increase the public
excitement and irritation. Let US give eoan-
tenance to iawess violence, whether in low or
high places. Let us seek by every practicable
method, to strengthen and brighten tho bond of
fraternal union. which should embrace every cit
zen of our favored States and Territories. And
above ALL let Christians feryenty pray to the
Father of Light for his blessings on our rulers
TINT they may be WISE firm, conoiIiating, and
atriotc-and for our people, that they may be
peaceable. prosperous and happy. Wear call
ed individually to self examination, the comics
sion Of our sins, pentence. and reformation OF
our lives-and by these methods, far more rcadi-
ly than by fierce discussion, we may avert the
dangers which are impending over our beloved
land. And now we entreat you, by every con
sideration Of patriotism and piety-by the mem
DRY of our fathersby the blood which purchased
our lberties-by tho illu>trous deeds If Bunker
Hill and iorktown-by the history of the past
by the millions, living and unborn, whose welfare
depends on the preservation Of our Union and
especially. by religious liberty. 30 happily
secured, and our religious prosperity, SO greatly
increased, under our excellent government to
follow the things which make for peace
IN conclusion, We earnestly request our fellow
citizens to unite with Us, On the SUNDAY preceding
the fourth da, at Jdly next, in prayer. secret,
social and public to the God Of nations, that be
would mercfully restrain the angry passions Of
men. inspire our rulers with moderate and pncifc
spirit dispense the ol uds overhanging our favor
ed republic, restore the harmony which once cx
listed among the States ofths Union, and enable
US to transmit TO our posterty, in ther entire.
ness, the inestimabe privileges which we have
received from our ancestors
j. b. JErER, J.D. BLACKWELL.
r. b. c. HOWELL. w A. SMITH,
}. l.. BURROWS. NJ. u. HoGE,
X. FORD. 4. V. MOORE.
II. WATKINS. l.. p. LEpoUx,
J. b. TAYLOR. G.. II. READ,
- PETTIGREw, GEO. WOODBRIDGE,
}. X. PowEs, II. =. KEpIER
+. y. WILSON. II. Is. NEWMAN
J. II BOYD, j. PErERKlN,
". H. STARR, s. S. MuRKLANp