The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-06-21
CSC. woopsRiDsE, ssc'r


80. '-'s'',' T.v. MOORE, Chairman.
oso. weopnRiDaE, ssc'y Haas
p..,.rep aud Feliotr. Citisena, -
rEs rsisned ministers Of the Gospel, of differ
an, Cbristan denominations In tho cy Of Richmond,
do mot think that we shall transcend our proper
sphere In sddressng TO you respectfully and earnest
N fsw conservative remarks on the present alsrm-
ins crisis in our national affair.
Our clerical prossssion though It hiss restrained us
from taking an sctive part In political matters has
sh az our bic brhrsht the liberty civil snd
religious, secured for by the TOLL valor and blood
Of fathers We arc feryently attached TO our ma
tional institutions planned by the wisdom, end
sodatsd by the conservative spirit OF the revolution
AIRY patriots. We love our country-our whole coun-
tty-our country with all s ianis,. we iook upon
or all the people on the face OF the EARTH they
have the greatest to be thankful and contented
perops so favor ed as ours. We deem it solemn
duty patriots and Christians, to contribute 10 ev-
cry lawful method to the perpeuation OF blessings %
numerous, various and so Iich
We have seen, with painful soicitude, the asita.
lions which have married the peace and threatened
the stability of Union. Sectional jealousies and
bitterness have, great degree, usurped the place
Of patriotism and broiherls love. Citizens OF the
country, descendants of the same race, inherit
Of the same priceless privileges OF the
sams benece institutions set in deadly HOSTILE
ty against each other. The spirit Of violence, show
ing itse in Misrepresentation and abuse, in the IL
centiousness Of the tongues and OF the press IN per-
sonal assaults in INSTRUMENTATION and in armed resis-
tame. lawful authority. is rife and spreading In the
co ,n.ry. The flames of civil war are kinding on our
borders As Anne rcan citizens we are humb!ed and
a, Christians deeply mortified and grieved at
/ this state Of things.
We have seen that in various parts of the country,
meetings called, conventions are held speeches
are delivers ed, resolutions adopted and all, or
nearly ALL designed to agitate, infame excite the
passions of the human heart, and add fuel to
the flame that threatens to consume the noble fabric
/ of our government We have read NO account OF
any meeting assembled for the patriotic and Christian
eeeps
blessing of the Most High on our rulers aod on our
| nation.
the nations of the EARTH HIS gracious and control
ing providence has been eminenty displayed in the
history of our beloved country. Our revolutionary
fathers acknowledged the sovereignty OF God relied
on his sustaining power and sought, by fasting, hui
initiation and prayer, to deprctte His wrath and 10
secure His guidance and protection In the Unequal
struggle in which they were engaged. Nor did they
appeal to Him in vain. BY many WON erfui interpo
sitons He gave hem the victory, and enabled them
to establish government, which has been the admit
ration of the wo I'D and the hope of republican iber
| ty .Dfrom the auspcious dawn Of our republic to
this hour. He has been the guide, defence and bens
fctor Of our nation. The perpetuity of our atlona
institutions and the prosperity of country, de-
pend on His blessing; and we hurbly trust that He
| who watched over our national infancy ana nae
| nourished US to vigorous manhood, Will net now
forsake u.s. We he will not. If, by cur ma
tional nquities, we do not forfeit His favor, and
| provoke His wrath.
| We regard the law of God as the foundation of all
human law, binding by its preceps all men OF every
sphere and calling fe and the standard by which
all human actions should be judged; and we, there
fore, earnestly deprecate all exaspeiatlng persona,
ties ali asperty and intemp erance OF language, all
physical force for redress az contrary to
the teaching of Gods wor and as deroeatory to that
elevated civilization of which that word 10 the oTgn
| the rule, and the safeguard
In view of these considerations it seems good to US
to address few words of exhortatlon to our e low
citizens In the present circumstances it Is the OBJ
vious aud imperative duty of all to cherish patriot
ic, CANDID kind and forbearing spirit. Let us sedu
iousy avoid every word and deed, which tend to
Incl ease the public excitement and irritation Let
give no countenance to l.wless violence whether
| in low or high places Let seek by every practi
cable method strengthen and brighten the bond Of
fraternal union, which should embrace every citizen
of favored states and Territories. And above all
let Christians ferventy pray TO the father1f Lgnt
for his blessing on they may be wise,
| firm concating and patriotc-and for our people,
that they may be peaceable, prosperous and happy
COME ssun of cur SINS pcnitence, and reformation
of our ves-and, by these methods, Tar more readily
than by fierce discussion, may avert the dangers
| which impending over cur beloved land And
cntreat you, by every consideration OF path
| o,ism and piety-by the memory OF our fathers-by
the blood which purchased hberties-by the IL
lusrious deeds of Bunker Hill and YoIktown-by the
history of the past-by the millions, living and I'M
our Unon-and, especially by eur religious liberty,
happily secured, and our religious prosperity so
greatly increased, under our excellent government,
| to follow the things which make for peace"
In conclusion earnestly request fellow citi-
zens TO unite with us, the Sunday preceding the
fourth day of July next in prayer secret, social ana
public to the God of nations, that he would mercl
fully restrain the angry passions OF men, inspire our
rulers with moderate and pacific spirit. dispose the
clouds overhangng favored republic, restore the
harmony which existed among the states OF this
Union, and enable transmit posterity, In
their entireness the iuestimable privile which
have received from ancestors