The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-04
The National Fast Day--A WOYd as to
Its Observance.

mer cloud.
The National Fast Day--A Woxd as TO
Its Obsers vance.
The people of the United States find them
selves to-day in the midst of the most impor-
tant crisis in the history of the nation. The
secession movement has assumed such for
midable proportions that the Chief Magistrate
of the republic has yielded to the appeals made
to him by ''pious and patriotic associations and
citizens" and has recommended that this day
shall be observed as a solemn fast.
We republsh elsewhere the recommends
ton of the President and we have already
given in the columns of the HERALD
the proclamations of the Governors of
New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and
Rhode Island, calling upon the citizens of
those States to refrain from labor upon the day
appointed, and to assemble according to their
several orders of worship, to keep it as day
Of fasting, humiliation and prayer. The Mayor
of Newark has joined in these recommends
tons, and the Episcopal bishops Of New
York and New Jersey have ordained spe-
cial services for the day. As might have
tributed his small share to the uncnviable no
toriety Of his family by taking this recommen-
dation as the text for sermon against the
President, and reviewing the question of sla-
very from purely Massachusetts, point of
view. In Boston, however, the day is to be
religiously observed and a special prayer
meeting is to beAeld at the fremont Temple.
The Mayor of Chicago, a violent abolitionist,
refuses to accede to the request Of his towns
men to issue proclamation in response to the
Presidents recommendation; and the Governor
Of Maine relieves himself from the responsible
ty of so doing by declaring that the recon-
mendation Of the President is sufficient of
itself, without the endorsement Of local magis-
trates. The Governors OF the other States,
North and South, with the exceptions above
noted, appear to have adopted Mr. Morrill's
views; and it seems little strange that
the republican leaders, who are direct
ly responsible for the present perilous
condition OF the country, are the first to endorse
the Presidents recommendation. In this city
the day will be generally observed Special
services will be held in al the churches ex-
where prayers for the constitutional rulers of
the nation are put up every day; but Bishop
McCloskey, of Albany, announced on Sunday
that he would celebrate High Mass, a. the Ca
theGral in that city, at nine O'Clock this
morning, and offer up prayers for the
Union. The banks, Custom House and
public Offices of this city will be closed,
the daily session Of the Legislature will
be intermitted, and it is to be hoped that citi-
zens generally will comply with the Cover
nor's proclamation in its letter and spirit.
The only argument which the opponents Of
the President have urged against his recon-
mendation has been that his course was a
people to pray for deliverance from their
perils without fulfilling the duties of his high
position and executing the laws of the
land according to his oath Of office. But
the action Of the administration within
the past few days has proved that
Mr.. Buchanan is worthy to fill the chair of
Washington and Jackson. The President has
to understand that there is still federal GO
ycrnment; that so long as il exists, each and
every citizen is bound legally aud morally to
support it; that order must be maintained;
that the constitution and the laws, until abro-
gated by competent tribunals, will be enforced,
and the Union preserved at all hazards. And
the object Of this fast is clearly that one day
shall be set apart when our people, without
distinction of sect or party, may approach the
Throne Of Grace and pray that the secular arm
may be strengthened by the Divine blessing,
and that God will be to US "a He has been to
our fathers. Since the termination OF the
War Of independence we have enjoyed
the blessings of Providence to an emf
ncu, degree. In the early days of these
states the settlers suffered from famine, pesii-
lence and the inroads Of savage foes. They
prayed to God and kept their powder dry
Humbling themselves TO God alone. they still
recognized the great truth that He helps those
only who help themselves. In times Of sore
distress they appointed special days for fasting
and prayer; and again, when prosperity beam
cd upon them, they were prompt to raise't the
anthems Of Thanksgiving and praise. At the
present moment the republic is mcnaced by
perls which are entirely political. In every
other respect the United States of America is
the most prosperous Power on the face Of the
globe. With a government founded upon the
eternal principles Of equal rights to all men,
rich and poor, high and low; country I'M
equslled in its material resources; free,
hardy. enterprising, self-reliant, resolute
population; ample wealth; a small, but
gallant army and navy; q good name
abroad, and flag which commands respect in
every part of the civilized world, We may
safely defy treason, foreign levy or domestic
malice And 1t is our misfortune that our pre-
cent difficulties arise entirely from . misunder-
standing between the people Of the North and
the South, and that this misunderstanding has
been fostered by the politicians for their own
aelfish purposes TO a degree of bitterness which