The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1860-09-20


discuss all subjects pertaining to human
welfare, without submitting for mcmeut
to the dictation of men, proceed to ap
ply the great principles inculcated in the
text, to the present phases Of public af
fairs in our nation.
There are, at the present time, ut least
four great political organizations in the
land, each claiming to be the trues, ex.
ponent Of the principles of our govern.
ment, and aspiring to the control Of our
national affairs. That the claims of all
of these canno. be conceded, as equally
just, . selfevident; for they are, in some
respects, widely different, and conflicting.
That in some points, any one Of them
may have advantage of the others, may
be possible. That there are honest and pat
riotic men in all Of them. need not be de-
uied. That there are selfish aud unprin-
cipled men in them all, must be frankly
admitted.
But what then is there no difference
between them? Are they all alike des.
titntc ofprinciple? Are they all equally
implicated in the great wrongs and cor
ruptions for which the nation has become
notorious, and which the people, in their
elective capacity, must soon either sane
tion or condemn?
do not propose to speak Of these or
CARNATIONS by name. 1t is not needful
that | should. 1t is only necessary for
me to say that, in all your inquiries, and
in all your cisions, as to which orSani-
zation you shall accept, if any; as to
what men you shall vote for, of those
propounded, if any; aud as to whatever
else may pertain legitimately to your duty,
as citizens Of the country, you should be
guided and controlled, from beginning to
end, not by party dictation, but by the
principles and prcccpts Of the word of
God, as contained in our text: "Thcrc-
fore. all things whatsoever yc would that
aen should do to you, do yc even so to
them;' " Aud whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men"
If, in your Investigations, you find any
thing manifestly at variance with the just
claims OF your fellow men, aud calculated
to dishonor God; mark it, rebuke it. re-
train from it, protest against it, with all
your ability and influence. IL, among
those nominated for Office, you find men
devoid Of moral principle, whose great
aim is to advance themselves and their
own interests, regardless Of the poor and
the oppressed-refrain from them, and
do all in your power to defeat their aims,
and to elevate others, of more exalted and
disintercsted character. Bc no rcspec-
tors of persons, nor Of parties, as such /;
but "Offer the sacrifice of righteousness,
and put your trust in the Lord" If you
do not find immaculate purity Of charac-
ter, and perfect conformity in all respects
to the teachings Of Christ, in the men
and the principles for whose ascendency
your vote and influence are solicited
do not, for this reason, refuse to act at
all For then must ye needs 90 out of
the world, b. to find what you seek. But,
after the best efforts you have been able
to make, and according to the best juds.
mcnt you are able to form, lend your in
tucnce to those measures and men, that
seem to you to embody the most of truth,
justice aud benevolence, and the least of
error and injustice. Aud when you
have done this, calmly and fervcntiy
commend yourself and your neishbors and
the cause of truth and right, to God and
his fatherly care and your rccompense
shall be sure aud satisfying.
And now, what is there 10 all tbs that
need disturb the serenity of any true
Christian, or any honest man, of whatev-
er name, or party? Would men have us
advocate injustice, selfshness, ambition
aud oppression, in politics? Would they
have US int .f"rent to these great crimes?
What is the Church and the ministry
for, if not to proclaim and illustrate truth,
judgment and mercy? Is a light brought
into room to be put under bushel, or a
bed and not in the candlcstick, where it
may be seen?
But many, as it seems to me, arc hid
ing their light under the bed Of silence
aud not only hiding their own. but un-
reasonably complaining of their ncshbors
for trying to shed theirs abroad. 1t is
but little, indeed, that can expect to
inpart; not enough, one would think, to
disturb very greatly the peace of the
community; but what little | have, I
propose not to concca' under bushel,
but to hold up for the benefit of any who
may desire to see it The remark of DR..
Claiming in regard to the evil Of slavery,
is equally pertinent to all public and ma
tional evils Whoever sprerds through
his circle, be it wide or narrow, Just
opinions and feelings in regard to slavery,
hastens its fall"
l cannot refrain from adverting, in
this isconnection, somewhat more distinctly,
to this great, widespread, complicated,
and abominable system of wlckedness and
wrong, which more than any her, at the
present moment, demands the serious and
earnest eud'avors Of all the people of the
land for its removal. 1t has been spreading
its poisonous influence for more than
century, not only over those where its
seat is, but over others in sympathy with
them, in the free States,-tll it now
unbushingly claims fo itself national
character, and insists that freedom is on
ly SET tioual! 1t cannot be said, with
truth, that we have no slavery here, and
therefore have nothing to do with it
1t is here, and all over the land, with its
insolent demands, and its hun iliatinc
fruits, as seen in the various concessions
and compromises which have been cx-
torted from those who once stood on the
broad platform Of liberty. equality, and
fraternity, as the inalienablc birth-right
nf al men II ia here also in a morn topr;