New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-12-03

the God of nature and Of grAce.
In obedience to this great law of religious feel
ing, not less than in obedience to the civil ruler
who represents this Com; nonHealth in its unity, we
are now assembled Hitherto, on similar occa-
sions, our language has been the language of
gratitude and song. "The voice Of rejoicing
and salvation was in the tahernacles OF the right
eous.n Together we praised the Lord that our
garners were full, affording all manner Of store
that our sheep brought forth thousands and ten
thousands in our Streets that our oxen were strong
to labor, and there was no breaking in nor going
out, and no complaining was in our Streets AS
we together surveyed the blessings of Providence,
the joyful chorus swelied from millions Of people,
" Peace be within our walls and prosperity within
thy palaces.n But to-day, burdened hearts all
over this land brought tn the sanctuary of God.
We see the tents Of Cushan in affection, and the
curtains of the land Of indian do tremble." We
have fallen upon times when there are :" signs In
the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; upon
the earth distress Of nations, with perpexiy; the
sea and the waves roaring; mems hearts falling
them for fear and for looAing after those things
which are coming in the near yet gloomy future,
Since the words Of this proclamation were penned
by which we are convened, that which all men
dreaded, but against which all men hoped has
been realized; and in the triumph ofah sectional
majority we are compelled to read the probable
doom Of our once happy ard united confederacy.
1t is not to be concealed that we are in the most
fearful and perilous crisis which has occurred in
our history as a nation. The cord which, during
four-fifths of century, have bound together this
tension: they just need tile tonch Of fire to part
asunder forever. Like slip laboring in the storm
and suddenly grounded upon some treacherous
shoal-eyery timber of this vast confederacy
strains and groans under The pressure Sectional
divisions, the jealousy Of rival interests, the lust
of political power, bastard ambition whichlooks
to personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT rather than to the
public veal, a reckless raaicasm which seeks for
the subyerson of all that is ancient and stable, and
furious fanaticsm which drives on its iconsid-
cred conclusions with utter disregard of the evil
engenders-al these combine to create porten-
tous crisis the like Of which we have never known
before, and which puts to crucifying test the viz
tue, the patriotism and THE piety Of the country.
You, my hearers, who have waited upon my
public ministry and have known me in the ntma-
ces of pastoral intercourse, will do me the Justice
to testify that have never ntermeddled with po-
litical questions Interested as | might be in the
progress of events, have never obtruded, either
publicly or privately, my opinions upon any OF
you; nor can single man arise and say that, by
word or sign, have ever sought TO warp his senti.
ments or control bis judgment upon any political
subject whatsoever. Tie party questions which
have hitherto divided the political world, have
seemed to me to involve no issue sufficiently mo-
mentous to warrant my turning aside, even for
moment, from my chosen calling. In this day of
intelligence, | have felt there were thousands
around me more competent to instruct in stateman-
ship; and thus, from considerations of modesty no
less than prudence, haFe preferred to move among
you a preacher of righteousness belonging to a
kingdom not OF this world.
During the heated canvass winch mas JUST Deen
brought to SO disastrous close, the seal of rigid
and religious silence hes not been broken. de-
plBred the divisions amongst us as being, to large
extent, impertinent in the solemn crisis which was
too evidently impending. Most clearly did it APP
pear to me that but ore issue was before US an
| issue soon to be presented in form which would
compel the attention. That crisis might make it
| imperative upon me as christian and divine to
| speak in language admitting no misconstruction
Until then, aside from the din and strife of parties
| | could only mature, with solitary and prayerful
thought the destined utterance. That hour has
come. AT a jancture SO solemn as the present,
| with the destiny of great people waiting upon
the decision of an hour, it is not lawful to be still.
| Whoever may have influence to shape public
opinion, at such time must lend it, or prove faith
less to trust as solemn as any to be accountedfor
at the bar of God.
| Is it immodest in me to assume that ] may repre-
sent a class whose opinions in such controversy
are of cardinal Importance? The class which
seeks to ascertain its duty in the light simply of
conscience and religion and which turns to the
morast and the Christian for support and guild
ance. The question, too, which now places US
1 upon the brink of revolution was in its origin q
| question of morals and religion. 1t was debated
in ecclesiastical councils before it entered legisla
| tive halls. 1t has riRen asunder the two largest
religious communions in the land and the right
determination of this primary question will 80 far
| toward fixing the attitude we must assume in the
| coming struggle sincerely pray God that may
be forgiven if have Inexperienced the duty
| incumbent upon me to-day for have assembled
This pulpit unQer the 10
/ one who is about 10 deviate from the settled
policy of his public life. 1t is my purpose-not
as your organ, compromising you, whose opinions
are for the most part unknown to me, but on my
| sole responsibilities speak upon the one cues
tion of the day and to state the duty which, as
| believe, patriotism and religion alike require of US
all. shall aim to speak with moderation OF tone
and feeling almost Judicial, well BETTING the sane
titles of the place and the soemnties of the judg
! ment day.
4 In determining our duty in this emergency, it is
necessary that should first ascertain the nature
of the trust providentiay committed to US. A ma.
tion often has character as well defined and IN.
tense as that Of the individual. This depends, Of
course, upon variety of causes operating through
long period of time 1t is due largely to the ORR
gipal traits which distinguish the stock from which
# springs, and to the proyidental training which
has formed its education. But, however derived
this individuality VI character alone makes any
people truly historic. competent to work out lts
specific mission, and to become factor in the
worlds progress. The particular trust assigned ts
such people becomes pledge OF the divine pro
lection aud their fidelity to it determines the fate
by which it is finally overtaken. What that trus
is must be ascertalned from the necessities OF then
position the institutions which are the outgrowtl
of their prnciplea and the conflicts through which
they preserve Their identity and independence. II
then, the South is such people, what at this juno
ture, is their pToRidential trust2 ] answer, that
is to CONSERVE and TO perpeudte The Institution O
domestic sIaDery rs noau eTisting. 1t is not neoes
sary here to inquire whether this is precisely tn
best relation law hlch the newer OF WOOD ana draw
er of water can stand to his employer; although
this proposition may perhaps be successfully sus
tanned by those who choose to defend it, Still les
are we required, hegmatcally, to affirm that it viii
subsist through sill time. Baf3ed our wisdom
may now be, in finding solution of this intrieat
social problem ii would nevertheless be the heigh
| of arrogance to pronounce what changes may o
may not occur id the distant future. In the gram
march of events Providence may work out a solu
ton undiscoverable by u.s. What notifications Q
soil and climate may hereafter be produced, wha
consequent changes in the products on which W
depend, what political revolutions may occu
, among the races which are now enacting tie grea
drama of history all such inquiries are totally il
relaHent, because no prophetic vision can pierre
the darkness of that future. If this question shout
t ever arise the generation to whom ID is remitte
will doubtless have the wisdom to meet it, an
Providence will furnish the lights in which it is t
be resolved. All that we claim for them and fo
ourselves is liberty to work out fhs problem
guided by nature and God, without obtrusive inte
ference from abroad. These great questions {
providence and history must have free scope fc
their solution; and the race whose fortunes ar
L distinctly implicated in the sans is alone autho
lied, as it is alone competent to, determine then
1t is Just this impertinence of human Legislation
setting bounds to what God only can regulate, tn;
the South is called this day to resent and resis
The country Is eOnyulsed simply because " til
p throne of iniquity frameth mischief by law,
= Without, therefore, determining the question
e duty for future generations, simply say, that Il
: u.s. as now situated, the duty Is plain of conserEr
:. and transmitting the systeaa of slavery with Il