Weekly Trinity journal., 1860-02-04
veiooueut RcbulSc 10 DisnnfOn.

Tn the course of an address on American patri-
otism. delivered by Rev. DR.. Hawks, of Calvary
Church, New York he used this language:
care there none who openly condemn the
constitution of their country-none who, by the
oyorcise of n corruption that scarcely has shame
onouuh to keep itself out Of sight, pervert 1t from
Ire Main declarations and legitimate intcrpreta-
items Are there none who have been wiling
and ready to convert executive powers INTO
iudicial, and legislative into executive! And
how sneak some men now OF that Union OF which
our fathers Caught by revolutionary experienced
ihouuht so much? They had purchased it for
their children with their blood /; and that blood
had flowed from northern and southern hearts
alike it made one common pool upon the battle
field they knew that upon union alone depen-
ded strong, proud, national existence. Do all
their sons adhere to this opinion of their fathers
or do they trample on their memories and dcspise
their wisdom? Let facts answer. what means
the angry and insulting language of portions Of
the press both north and south toward each other?
Whv do Aippant snecrs and taunting insnuations,
and insidiOus allectations Of candor and false as
sertions, and vulgar vituperation, form so much
of the editorial staple of certain prints? 1t is
thought to show skill of fence in intellectual
gladiatorshp? Whether it be quite as clever
writing as its authors suppose, may perhaps ad-
nit of doubt but grant that it is, the sober
American. who has no personal vanity of author
shin involved, may well ask whether it is either
natriotic or wise thus to furnish fuel to the lame
| of mutual evaporation already burning, alas !
| too brightly (; or TO sacrifice the Interests and
happiness Of our country to the qualification OF
some authol's wish to attain celebrity as the
writer of insulting sneers and trenchAnt irony.
Our country is to surely worth more to us than
the qualification Of the personal vanity ol any
man, and while it is cheerlully conceded that the
press should be free and may often furnish IN
! formation and instruction to the public nina, yet
il would be hard to show any lawful power 1t
possesses to assume over it dctation or control.
! The mode Of saying may be often more offensive
than that which is said and there is mode
which does not conducc to union, because ITS ten
dency is to destroy traternal feeling. II any
! American citizen wishes to be without country
that can demand the respect OF the cNlIized
world let him contribute his aid to dissolve the
union Of these United States. In the iuIhImcnt
of his unpariotic purpose he will lind his punish
lneut. for he will have ruined himself lie VIII
be crushed and bruised under the cdihce he has
assisted TO undermine Our country is exempted
] lat least for the prcsenO from the intestine CON
yulsions-how long it may be before opposing
hosts nav be marshalcd ON the field OF carnage,
depends under God, ON the calmness, the courage
| the prudence and the patriotism OF the wise, lle
thoughtful, and the good men of all parties OF 'he
| Union, who love their country better than they
do any party, and who have the sense to appre-
ciate its value to the world and to themselves"