The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-09-07
A Democratic Prayer.

The subjoined Pro-Slavcry Democratic
Prayer is about as caustic piece Of irony,
II meant as such, as ever came under our
notice. Democrats Of either stamp, let them
be like Douglas, who docs not care whether
slavery is voted up or down, or who believe
that Slavery is divine institution in'harmo'
ny with the inspired word Of God, and
blessing to both the slave and the master,
will not fail to appreciate tho complete pro-
priety of the invocation. II slavery be such
an institution Us the Sham Democracy
contend it is, the propricty Of asking the
blessing Of God for II is self evident. z
We would remark that II comes to US from
source-which forbids the idea that 1t Is
written in any spirit Of irrcverance.
Thou, who did make Of one blood all ma
tions OF men to dwall on the face vi the earth,
hear us while we pray. We, tho jewellers
of the South, the people of thy choice. adore
Thee for that beneyolence which Thou hast
manifested towards all the human race /; and
especially do VIC thank Thee. that Thou hast
made US Lords over thy heritage, moreover
do our hearts swell, fill, and overflow with
gratitude to Thee, in that Thou hast act an
fndelbic mark on certain tribes oil Loango
and Congo, by which we are enabled to dis
tinguish those who are set apart for our ser
vice the service OF our children, and our
children's children. And while We finally
believe that the enslaycment Of the African
race is Dipine Institution; and in accordance
with the that belief are using our endeayors
to "leng,hen our cord, and TO strengthen our
stakes" D Father of Lights aid US, to extend
this divine blessing of involuntary seryitude,
throughout the length and breadth OF our
wide domain.
We deyoutly thank Thee, o God, that
Thou hast committed TO our trust four MILL
ions of human beings rs serpiie iaborers, to
lingcr out life of sweat and toll, and blood
In our rice spdmps, and our cotton fields. rs
an atonement for their dark skins whilst
thou hast granted unto us, their task mas
tiers, and heirs of heaven, tho exalted privil-
eye of sitting beneath our rine and Palmetto
tree, and ian ourselves. or else to loiter in
our palaces Of ivory, or 90 abroad in our
chariots OVERLAND with silver. And moreover,
do VIC sincerely thank Thee, D God Of com.
passion, for strength conferred OIL us, thy
people. TO chastise those committed to our
trust, whenever they shall, by WEAKNESS of
body, or inirmity Of age, fail to perform the
task assigned them, that VIC arc enabled by
divine assistance, to lay on the lash until the
red fluid from their eIscoriated backs tinges
the earth, and they are compelled by humil-
iation to say, "tank you md''d, tank you
mdssd."
And forasmuch as Thou, the GREAT FIRST
CAUSE, hast raised us up to enlarge, perpet-
uate, and maintain the uncrring decisions
of the Supreme authority Of this land Of
liberty, which declares in language too plain
10 be misunderstood that men Of dark COM
plerion haze no rights whieh the pale faces
are bound TO respect, we, thy children, beseech
Thee to help US to carry out In practical lie
these unerring counscls Of our sagees. And
while the wiles Of the plains OF the West,
and the mountain regions Of the North, saue
a choice fe,e, have been for q series OF years
resisting our benevolent design Of rc-opening
the foreign slave trade, which, Thou know
est is q source Of untold wealth to US, 0
grant, We meekly bcsecch Tnee, success to all
our slave ships which are now concealed
along the African coast, and help by Divine
aid our officers and crews to obtain full car.
goes of men, women and children; and
when they sail homeward bound, D help
them TO elude the eye Of their enemies, sale
IL arrive on the South shore, and land their
cargo In this land Of liberty. this asylum OF
the oppressed.
o lord our God, our fathers taught us, in
DAYS of old that there existed In nature Ger.
tain self-evident facts, among which were, the
sunlight, air to breathe, water TO drink,
space on which to stand. and that "dN men
,cere born free and equal," and our fathers
babe us transmit these self.eridenf truths to
postcrity; but as we have discovered these to
Be self-eyident lies, help US now and forever
to ignore this declaration OF our fathen.-I
and now, o Lord, N We are in the midst OF
an irrepressible conflict, and in great distress
by reason Of chickering's and discussions
among US, for while some are Tor sam, eome
for John, and some for Stephen, every breeze
that sweeps from the West or from the North
bring us the sad intelligence, that the great
mas arc for ABRAHAM.
But We thank Thee that amidst oil our
sorrows, little CLEAN Of light breaks on US
from tho Empire tribes. We learn that
Herod and PLATE have there become united,
so that VIC have faint prospect OF cruelty
l. .l q