Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-05-09

of usurpers, forbid that misguided charity that
would forgive revolution for gain and conquest
for glory. 1thas been unanswered. But for these
times has been added an issue that may well sur
prise u.s. 1t is not whether revolution is everJust;
not whether national corruption is the end of ma
tional glory; not whether liberty can be sold by
avarice, but whether the freedom of popular gov
ernment was made for suicide. If in plain con-
tradicton to the preamble to our Constitution, 1t IS
reasoned that state secession from an Individual
compact upon revolutionary grounds is justihabie;
then what absurdity may not be legaized. Ii the
liberty asserted and defined in the Declaration
of independence, without revolutionary causes IS
made the basis of opposition to government, 1t IS
equivalent to saying that popular government Is
destructive of its ends; which is now the rea-
dy sneer of British writers. This new refinement
is to political science, what sophsm was to phios-
ophy; nothing is fixed, nothing is proved, nothing
is settled, no government is perpetual. 1t is for
us to say if this libel human nature and reproach
upon the religion of Jesus, shall be established
for the ruin of worlds hopes, the enslavement OF
posterty and the internal satisfaction of despotic
courts. Who then will shrink from knowing the
character of the times for which he has come?
When good old Elijah fed from the kingly votary
of Baal, and bowed his weary frame under the ju-
niper shade, he cried: so Lord now take away
my life, for am not better than my fathers
and broken down thine altars." We have not to
lament the act of deluded idolaters whose severe
sincerity proved their ignorance but the overt acts
of knowing, wilful cabals, who would with fratrici
dal jealousy. break down these sacred affairs where
our fathers did sacrifice and where has ever burned
the pure incense of loyal hearts. Shall we fail to
copy the patriotism of Elijah, and, forgetting our
personal interests, facing the bold front cf crazy
apostacy, say: "Lord here our lives for we are
no better than our fathers"
It's ours then to answer if there is moral power
power enough in human nature to sustain such a
government against such wrongs, and show that
human rights secured by liberal laws can never
stand in opposition, any more than truth can con-
flct with fact. I say it is q question OF moral
power. of the will and perseverance, because DO
not doubt the physical omnipotence OF the general
government, if the hearts of loyal subjects give
not way because difficulties threaten to prolong
the contest. You have all had explained to you,
by men who are able, that the issue is not one OF
sectional Interest," but the plain opposition of faith
to treachery the resolution to stand by or forsake
the plainest political axioms; and we give ourselves
no concern that people in righteous cause are
not invincible. What signifies the taking of a
fort? There is very little that is human that can
not be successfully assailed. 'Well, then," asks
one, "why maintain the perpetuity of govern
ment if this be so?" All WE'LL so far as its principles
are original with man, we admit it is unenduring.
Monarchies and castles must change, we know;
for despotism is of earth, equity is from above;
oppression is human, liberty is divine. King craft
and Priest-craft are not copied from His govern,
ment, who" left free the human will.' No; to un-
do the principles of popular government requires
not only the conquest of martial posts and stone
walled retreats no, the pale genius OF our lnsttu-
tions has not trusted to such enclosures her ves
tibule worship but to storm her strong castle is
to lay the boodless siege of that altar that heaven
has builded in the heart. As Christian have
no hestancy in declaring myself. for no Christian
duty is more definitely enoined than that of strict
conformity to the powers that be, limited only by
the higher duties that we owe to God. Christi
anty seeks not to be welded the state but she does
propose to make good citizens. know that Soame
Jenyns has said that patriotism is incompatible
with christianity, but if have read my Bible a.
right it is no such thing; for though true philan-
throphy is general, Christ recognized patriotism
and never condemned it, and through six thousand
years God has addressed the mind of man as
though it ought to be there.
Let no one then, give up to despair because of
the wrecks of former republics, for the new ques-
ton we are to try was not in their experience, when
they fell there had been no such attempted array
of liberty against liberty, but while despo sm and
invasion were Just causes of fear, and ayarice ru
ling in every purpose, loose morals did not secure
tie national virtue against the seductive charms
of military glory. Are we then, as patriots, sens
Bile of the responsibility of this time? True, ad-
versity trains us and brings out our powers; if we
boast no heroes, it will often find them. True;
times bring out men, but it is also true, think,
that men bring out times. Every righteous
act, every crime, leaves wave on the tide of
human events, so that both the good and evil that
men do, live after them. 1t was Haman's jeal-
ousy and Mordecai's humility brought out the
times for which Esther was born; the lenity of
Charles and the corruption of popes brought out
the times of reformers the stoicsm and avarice of
George Ill, brought out the "tImes that tried
mems souls" 1t is important that we should know
what is to follow our acts; and what brought out
these times for which we have GOMEZ
All there has long been aboutus secret confed-
eracy of misguided minds-it sprang up in some
moment of night over thirty years ago; with preco
cous step, it orgets the virtue of stealth and must
like troubled spirit in conscious guilt retire be-
fore the angry look of the Orleans hero. But here
and there it seduces unstable heart from the
ways of loyalty, through long line of years,
threats of discord and hints of crime are the only
pulsations of its still life. Under the cover OF
pretences to injured rights, it at length besets the
steady steps of true citizenship; taking advantage
of every dissension incident to free discussion,
its growth finally embraces the force of revolu-
ton. Within one year of the past, it boldly pro-
claims its designs, and failing to frghten ten mil
lions of freemen, it turns from their rebuke; but
not to the darkness that sheltered it before it sends
no ambassador with offerings of penitence to Mt.
Vernon's shades, nor stops to weep in contrition
over its own revolutionary shrines it sends its fur
tive glance the blue waters of Atlantic; not
| to the sweet shores of Puritan memory; farther
SOUTH to the bushing hills France mot to that other
reyered shrne to learn anew the forgotten lessons
of fidelity to human rights, but upon guilty er-
rand to that monstrous royalty, whose unhallowed
retreats are yet haunted by the crying ghost OF
assassinated liberty; vexed at the strange anomaly
ofa despotic refusal of crime, it recalls its glance
and with a sickIy enthusiasm, openly resolves to
perform the perfdy Of dividing our dear history,
our common loves and common hopes. All! these
times have come, because there has gone abroad
on sable wing from the scrpents lair, fell spirit to
| fatter the minds of men with butterfly treasure
that crumbes when grasped;a vain conceit against
human conscience. that to rob from patriotism the
holy memories of departed worth will bless the
reflections of guilt, but which, like Satan's theft
Of Eden's innocence. fixes only the sting Of a
deeper damnation. Not content with the infamy
of a cowardly siege. it tramples upon every cher.
rished reminiscence, until-O, shame! come now
from every spot of the past execratcd and damned
while malice and revenge seek shelter in the
name of forgiving Nazarene, hostile arms must
guard from dreamsthe repose of a Washington;
dust lest, in the mixed agony of wonder and hate
il should stir before that glad evening Of the world
whittier themessenger of its sanctifed hopes ha:
long since fled! ,r.
Fellow citizens, if we are not dead to mora