Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-06-24
GEO. WOODBRIDGE, s.

Mr.. Woodbridge.
The following Address was then presented, and,
after mature deliberation, was unanimously adopted
T. V. MOORE, Chairman.
GEO. WOODBRIDGE, Secretary.
Brethren and F[NOr. Citizens:
The undersigned. Ministers of the Gospel, of differ
cnt Christian denominations, in the city of Richmond.
do not think that We shall transcend our proper sphere
in addressing To you, respectfully and earnestly, n few
conservative Remarks Oh the present charming crisis
in our national affairs.
Our clerical profession, though it has restrained us
from taking al active part in political matters, has
nn. quencIed the hrdor of our patriotism. We cher.
ish, rs our invaluable birtlI.right, the liberty, civil
aud religious. secured for us By the toll, valor and
blood q! our fathers. We are ~ieryently attached to
our national Institutions, planned by the wisdom, aud
consolidated by the conservative spirit, of the rev0-
lutiunnry patriots. We love our country-uur whole
coun;ry-our country with all lis faults. We look
upon the citizens ut every State of the Union as our
brethren. or all the people on the face Of The earth.
they h ave the greatest cause 10 be thankful ana con
tented. The sun docs not shine upon a nation 40
Tree, 81 prosperous, so favored, as ours. We deem 1t
our solemn duty, as patriots aud Christians, 10 con-
tribute i'll every lawful method 10 the perpetuatiou Of
blessings 50 numerous, 50 various and 50 rich.
We have seen, with painful so!ictude, the agita-
tons which have married the peace and Threatened
the Ctabllity of our Union. Sectional jrHlourles aud
bitterness have, to f great degree, lsurped the place
of patriotism aud brnillrrIy in?G. Citl.ens ut the
same country, descendants of the same race, inherit.
ors Ut the same priceless privileges, guardians OF the
same bentticeDt institutions, are set III deadly hostill'
~ against each other. The spirit of vIUlenre, show
ing itself in misrepresentation and abuse, in the llcen-
tInu-irss Of The tongue, and Of The press, III personal!
assaults, in INSTRUMENTATION, and in armed Resistance
To lawful authority, is r fr ami sprGadirg IN the coun-
try. The flames Of civil war are EIud!ing on our
h. Irirrs. AZ American ciiizens We are huInbled, and
u Christians We ARE deeply mortified aml grieved nj
thus stHte Of things.
We have $ ell hat, in various parts Of the country,
meetings are called, conventions Rrr held, speeches
are delivered, resolutions are adopted, and all, or
nearly all, are designed To agitate, imlaIne, excite the
y Orst passions Of the human heart, nni add tuel To
the flame that threatens II consume the noble fabric
of our government. We have read 10 account Of
my meeting n~ssenblcd for the patriotic and Christian
purpose "f ailnying The popular excirelnriit' aw"kinG
the conservative sp!ri' OF The people AMI invoking the
blessing OF the Most high on our rulers and on our
marion.
We believe that C"d re;gn.. in Righteousness, over
tho nations of the earth. His gInaioas and controli-
ing providence has been einiurutly displayed IN HE
history OF our beloved country. Our revolutionary
fnl!rrs acknowledged the suvrrrigniy Of Gu1, relir.
IN his su-iGinin" power, and sought, by fr>fing, hui
initiation and prayer, 10 drprcratc HIS wrath and IL
SECURE HIS guidance and protection, in The nn"qunl
struggle in which they wer. engaged, Nor did they
appeal 10 Him III vain. BY many lui interpu-
srrIons, lie gave them the victory, and enabled them
to establish u government, which has been the adm.
HlluD OI Tue WOTiu Nijl lUt IIUpB ~ rtpuUllEhn llDtr'
ty. From the suspicious dawn OF or republic to
this hour, He hos been the guide, defence and bene-
factor ct our milton The perpetlity of our uHtiunal
institutions and the prosperity of our country, depend
un HIS blessing and we humbly trust that lie, who
watched over our national infancy, aud has nourisllrd
us 10 vigorous mnnhuod, will not now iursake H.
We are sure he will not, il. by our national inquiries.
we do not fort, it His favor aud provoke His wrath.
We regard the law of God rs the foundation ot MI
human law, binding by its precepts all men Of every
sphere and calling i'll life, and the standard by which
all human actions should be judged; and We, therefore,
e~arrlssIly deprecate all e1asperaiIng personalities all
asperity anG iuieiipereica Of language, all resorts Ia
physical force for 7edrrsa, ~ cost az ~ tic Teaching
of Gmt's word, and rs deTogni6ry 10 tInt elevated
civilization of which that word Is tine origin, the rule,
and the safeguard.
IL view OF these considerations, il secms good to
us to address, Il .ew words Of eXllOrtation 10 our fell
low citizens. In the prescut 81, .ul)s.Gnces: it Is the
obvious and imperative duty ot all To cherish h pa
triotic, candid, kind aud fnrbearing spirit. Let us
seduluusly avoid every word and deed, which can
Tend to ~iac,ssse the public excitement and irritation.
Let us give 10 counfennnC5 II '.%!ess v!"lence, whe'
Their in low or high places.x Let Us seek. ny every
method, tn strengthen aud brighten the
bond of fratprnaI union, which should embrace every
citizen of our favored States aud Territories. And
nbovc all, let Christians l-rvcntly pray to the Father
of Light for his blessing on orr rgIers-tlat they
may DC wise. firm, c0nrniating, ami pairiottc-Gnh
for orr people, that they may be pcnccnble, prosper
ous and happy. We are called individually to self
examination, the cUnteHsiun OF our siIls, pen!tencr'
and a reformation OF our livcs-and. by these me
thods, tar more readily than by fierce discussion. we
may avert the dangers which are impending over
our beloved land. And now we entreat you, by every
consideration OF patriotism and piety-6y The memo
~ of our tarhers--by the blood which purchased our
liperties--by The illGstriout aee,is ci Bunker Hill aud
Yurktown-by the History Ct tie la't-by Inc M.
lions, living and unborn, whose Welfare depriids,on
the preservation Of our Uninn-and, especially, by
our religious Liberty, So happily secured, and our re-
Iigious prosperity, 30 greatly Increased, under our
excellent government, TO "follow the tLinss "hlch
make for peace" 80 :.
In conciusion, We earnestly request our iel!ow cl,l-
zeIrs to unite wiih us, on the sunday preceding me
fourth day of July neIt, in prayer, secret, social ana
public, to the God Of nations. that 10 would igercl'
fully restrain the angry passions of men, INSPIRE oar
rulers with a moderate aud pacific spirit, dispense Tue
clouds over-hanginy our favored republic, restore inc
harmony which once existed among the States VI 'ns
Union, and enable us TO transmit to our posterity, III
their cn,ireness, the i%nestinable privileges when we
have received from our ancestors.