The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-10
sermon OF the Rev. MIR. Peterson ON the
Career Of Stephen A. QouElas

very interesting and eloquent discourse was deliv
cred at the morning services Of the First Unversast
church, corner OF Fourth and South Third Streets viii
liamsburg yesterday, by the Rev. B. Peters The
little church was filled by respectable audience The
pulpit was wreathea In the national banner in the cen
tire Of which the words "rhe Union must and shall
be preserved"
The usual religious services having been gone through
with, the reverend gentleman proceeded with his dis
course He took his tex! from II. Samuel, third chap
ter, thirty -eigh h verse;
Know you not that there is a prince and a great man
fallen in Israeli
The time in which sived,(she preacher Oommenced),
was peculiar, bringing with peculiar ideas and obliga
TORS He would not at present bring up the subject
when great man died was proper that there should
be something said in regard to his life aud this the
time to say it, No picture 80 interesting to
that Of human face-no study go captivating and
profitable as that Of the character OF man, When
take up book to perse II II Is natural for to look at
the picture Of the author there Is any such In it, tina,
we az trace the value Of the production in the Inca
ments Of his features Travel through the world the
beat school for the study OF human nature meet
SO many various faces that we become proficient in
deophering the same. The experience Of every
and instruct No unfold his experience the
word without display ing to our gaze leaf Of instruc
any thing better to point moral the author to paint
tale than he history OF the mighty dead But to speak
If man is dead or he is alive let US have the truth
The spirit Of Stephen Douglas has gone to that bourne
rom whence no traveller returns and where every SOUL
be it that of statesman Of traitor stands before the
aame ,hror aud lives to the reward punishment
It was with feeling such as these thoughts inspire that
he he reverend pescher) approached his subject that
morning BE presumed that no one would deny that one
Of our great had passed away passed away M
when he would no doubt, have rendered more true
vice 10 his country than at any other period OF his hsto
ry That be would support the government, no who
knew Stephen A Douglas could for moment doubt But
hare went give biographical sketch OF Senator
Douglas, with which every person mus. be acquantedl
Mr.. Douglas was for meny years The Recognized
He was the author Of the Kansas Nebraska
MEASURE, shSh, every ore should now aoknowl
hcues; but withsl Gr Douglas rose from the humbest
position 10 mat Of the second in our land All would
rnovir power of his life was the nordnae ambition Of
tps man he freely spent al the money and means at
his command to attain the highest position in the gin;
atory to his character by his enemies generally. But
how can man attain high position If he does rot aim
magistrates and presidents conduct the affairs of
country Therefore the position Of politician is rot
necessarily ss'epa'aoe one But the politician has no
than the merchant or tradesman Of any description has
right to acquire wealth by dishonesty. The ambition
Of Douglas for the position Of President of the United
States net but his ambition Overruled his
Judgment BE scouted the idea that there higher
law Than Oh" Ian Ct the land and tbs theors was
one Of his greatest faults. logically ignored re-
ligon altogether. He has stood upon the floor OF the
seraie chamber and promulgated this doctrine frequently
AS the result OF this theory ne said that slavery should
which led him to say that he did rot
care whether slavery was voted up
voted down; but Douglas never bowed
down and woyshipped the black cap Of slavery like
Others. He welded great power the masses OF
the people not 80 much by hts eoquence by his
oeeh delivers for he was not an eloquent man, neither
was he deeply read IT was the ready wit and the
powerful! stump oratory which lent so much magnetism
to the man. Douglas was not great statesman. He
was too impusive-too pas sonate he lacked the high
moral instincts which would have made him SUCH The
reverend gentleman then went into a review of the
policy and othe- characteristics Of the deceased Senator
concluding eloquent discourse with high euogum of
the general life OF the Indeed, his entire remarks
were highly complimentary to the career of Senator
Douglas.