The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-05-13
LAMARTINE ON THE RELIGION OF sREyoIU-
TIoNARY,MEN.s * - -

| IeitSt reliSIous oi I'LL tue llatlOnS OF Europe.
1t is because the idea of. God-which arises
from all the evidence of nature and from
tho depth Of reflection being the profound
est and wcigLtiest idea of which human
intelligence is capable, and the French mind
being the most unrehective Of all European
races, this mind has not the force and Sc
verify necessary to carry far and long the
greatest conception of tho human under
standings"
1t is because our governments have al
ways taken upon themselves to think for
us, to believe for us, and pray for us: Is
it because we are and have been military
people, Il soldier nation led by kings, he
rocs and ambitions men, from battle field
to battle field, making conquests and never
Keeping them, ravagiug, dazzling, charm
ing and corrupting Europe; and bringing
home the manners, ces, bravery, liyltncss,
and impiety of the camp to the iirc-side Of
the people.
| know MOI, but certain il is that the na-
| ton has an immense progress to make in
serious thought, if she wishes to be free.
If VIC look at the characters, compared as
regards religious sentiments, of the great
nations of Europe, America, even Asia, the
advantage Of our country live and
die, is not for It's. The great men
forgetting completely the only idea for
which it is worth living and dying they
live and die looking at the spectator or at
most at postcrity.
Open The history Of America, the history
of England, and the history of France
read the great lives, the great deaths, the
! great martyrdoms, the great words at the
hour when the ruling thouy yht Of life re-
vea!s Itself in the last words Of dviny-and
compare.
Washington and Franklin fought, spoke,
suffered, always in the name of God, for
whom they acted; and the Liberator Of
America died coniiling to God the liberty
OF the people and his own soul
Sydney, the young martyr Of patriot
ism, guilty of nothing but inpatience, and
who died to cxpiatc his country's dream Of
liberty, said to his jaiIor: 81 rejoice that
die innocent towards the king, but vic
TIM resigned to the King OH High, to whom
al life is due.
The republicans Of Cromwell only
sought the way Of God even in tic field of
battle. Their politics were their faith. their
reign prayer, their death psalm. One
hears, sees, feels that God was in all the
movements of these great people
but cross the sea, traverse La Mancha
come to Our times, open our annals, and
listen to the great words Of the great DO
ltIcal actors Of the drama of our liberty.
One would think that God was cclipscd from
the soul, that his name was unknown in
the language. History will have the air
OF an atheist when she recounts to posterity
these annhilations rather than deaths ct
celebrated men in tho greatest wear Of
France The victims cnly have God
tie tribune and ictors have mono.
Look at Mirabeau on the bed of death
Crown lie with flowers said he, intoxi,
cafe me with perfume, let me die to the
sound OF music. Not word of Cod O,
OF his soul. Sensual philosopher, he de-
sired only supreme scEsualism, a last volup.
, tuousness in his agony.
Contemplate Madam Roland, the strong
, hearted woman Of the revolution, on tho
cart that conveyed her to death. She
looked contcmptuousy on the besottcd pco
pie who killed their prophets and SYPHILIS
: Not glance towards heaven Only ono
word for the earth. go Liberty 2"
Approach the dungeon door of the Gi
rond'ns. Their last night is IL banquet; the
only hymn, the Marscillaise
Follow Camille Desmoulins to his exc.
eu;ion. A cool and indecent pleasantly a,
The trial, and long imprccation on the
road to the guilo,inc, were the two last
thoughts Of this dying man on his way tc
the last tribunal.
llcar Danton on the platform of the
scaflold at the distance of Jne from God
and eternity. Il have had Il good time OF
't-Ict me 60 to Sleep" Then TO the exc.
cut'oner, you will show my head to tile
) people, is worth the trouble" His faith
annlh'lat'on lis last sigh, vanity. Behold
the Frenchman Of this latter age.
What must one think of the religious
sentiment of free people whose great iig.
ures seem thus to march in procoss;on ~
annihlIation, and TO whom that terrible
minister death, itself recalls neither the
, threatenings nor promise Of God
The republic Of these men without God
has quickly been stranded. The liberty
won by so much heroism and so much 90.
, MUS has not found in Eranca q consa;onao