Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-03-22
DE. Amen .oalu on the & UnIon. ou

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+ The Erie Gazette makes the following
mention of a sermon preached in that city BY
ibe Rev. DR.. Aiken, late Of the First Presby-
terian church Of this city. It will be read,
with interest by the many friends of thatable
dEine99 aa4L4 aIII aEh Z
81 An IEsTRUCTIyH DIscouRsE-We listened
with more than ordinary interest to a sermon
preached in the First Presbyterian Church.
on Sunday morning, by the Rev. DR., Aiken,
General Agent of the Pennsylvania Bible
Society. ItWas in one sense 3 political dis
course, and yet net even remotely partizan;
it contemplated the condition Of the Gov
erDment without referring to a peculiar and
conflicting party creeds; Il eTinced a spirit of
patriotism which took eognizance Of the
Union as it's and has been, and which invoked
IN its behalf constant persevering, Wholes
hearted devotion to il, to the single end Ct
preserving and transmitting 1t unimpaired as
rich legacy to succeeding generations.-
While admitting that the aspects Of the times
are discouraging, it rebuked and condemned
the disposition so generally manifested to
contrast the pTesent unfavorably with the
pat and to point to surrounding difficulties
as sure proofs of national degeneraey and
decay 1t showed By reference to well
authenticated historical facts that Secession
and Disunion movements were projected and
agitated many years ago; that at an early
period the question Of the possible Secession
ofNew York ELECTED from Madison an able
article denying the right to do 80; that soon
after the adoption OF the Constitution differ
ences arose betWeenseV States ofso serious
nature that Washington deemel it duty
to directly interfere for their settlement that
disturbances have often heretofore threatened
to destroy the Republic from which, how
ever, in every case, It emerged safe and un-
harmed. Notwithstanding existing distrac-
tons and complications, DR.. A. believed that
under the directing wisdom Of that Great
Being by whom our country has never yet
been deserted in its extremity, peace and
tranquility would be restored, and all the
States become re-eemented in the strong
bonds of common brotherhood But what
ever might be the result, he denied the Oft
made allegation of national degeneracy, re-
gsrding the American people as now em
bOdying as much virtue and morality, in
proportion to their numbers, as at any period
of their their history, and as unsurpassed by
any nation in the characteristics which honor
and dignity human nature. Tf
The closing portion Of the sermon was
designed to impress members OF religious
denominations with a sense of their political
responsibilities. he rebuked the practice
which has long prevailed Of giving up party
Cauc1ses, and general preliminary action, in
a great measure at least, to professional poll
ticians and reckless, unprincipled men. Such
q course he deemed q violation Of the com
mon obligations OF citizenship. All are in
terested In proper administration of public
affairs, and all feel the effects Of mismanage-
ment or incompeteney on the part Of those
inves ed with authority. It IS the imperative
duty Of every good citizen, whether in the
Church or out Of ii, to participate 10 The de-
tails Of party action, and contribute his
utmost 70 the elevation Of honest and capable
men to positions ofinfuence and responsible
ifu