Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-04-15

his oil Gods proVidenual government over
he affairs of men.
Many times since, when lowering clouds
lave threatened-when death once, twice,
mas removed our Chief Executive aud the /
whole nation mourned, this truth has been |
our consolation. The great and the mighty |
die. They lie in state, shrouded in the sable |
habiliments of the sepulchre, and are gazed
upon by smitten thousands, who go mourn
ing about the streets. But when such are
withdrawn to the land Of silence, it is our
comfort that God still lives and reigns, do
ing all his pleasure among the armies OF
heaven, and the inhabitants of the earth.-
Our trust is in Him and we are secure. Let
us never forget this. Let us honor him lei
us respect his word and his institutions; lei
u4 reverence his sabbaths; let MS adhere
to the great principles Of justice liberty,
humanity and equal rights; let us respect
the declaration of our independence, and
the preamble of the Constitution; yea, eve
ry principle of that Constitution from the
Alpha TO the Omega hut over and above all
constitutions and laws and customs lei US
leur and reverence God, and we shall not
go down into the graveyard OF buried ma
tions, dishonored, nor will those who in
future ages shall wander in such dreary
| abodes, read upon our headstOne the sad
eptaph-" Here lie the remains of n once
great nation that forgot its God !"
My friends, this is an anniversary day One
that will ever he memorable in the history
of our country. On the 18th day of April,
| lSGl, at IL of the clock and ffty-fve min
utos FoRT SUMTER, in the harhor of
Charleston, the first United States fort, sur
rendered to armed traitors. Civil war then
commenced in right good earnest. For one
year war with torch and brand, with FIRE and
sword, has ragged throughout our borders.
| And what year has it been How filed
up with strife and tnmult How striking
too, have been the lessons on the subject OF
Gods providential goodness and care2 Ol
| its beginnings, its progress or its present
aspects, have no need to tell yon. You
all know theae things as we'll, perhaps
better, than do. 1t is enough for my pur.
| pose to say, that it was begun by rebels and
| the vilest of traitors without cause or occa.
| sion, or the shadow OF an apology and il
has been wickedly waged against the most
| liberal and beneticent government on earth
They who have thus plotted their treason
and drenched this fair land iu blood, have
fairly won a title to the highest measure
of human wickedness, Nnd they must forever
bear the paltns
When this dreiul war began, there wert
hurryings to and fro, and fears and quakings
Mems hearts were failing them for iea
and for looking for these things that wer
coming upon us. Early in the conflic
this pulpit announced itself as loyal t,
the government. stated honestly an,
frankly my adherence Of treason an,
traitors, and that We were ready a
all hazards to put down everything tha
stood in the way of maintaining the integri
. .f4 L. .- ,..A -
beginning he it what it may. There wer
those who differed from me. There ma
have been those within the compass Of thi
congregation who dissented from the ar
nouncementa of this pulpit They had righ
TO differ. Nevertheless they who woul
} wink at treason or give aid and comfort t
those who are in arms against this govern
ment, and aim To destroy institutions wit
which are linked our dearest interests ia
this world, for such ! say WE FIND No PLAc
nERF. ! hold that we are bound 10 go to I'll
farthest extreme TO preserve our countr
and perpetuate this Republic.
II is II great source Of satisfaction thG
our Chief Ruler, and others in high pos
tiOn are so ready on every occasion to rendt
5 TO God the glory and honor which are 5
Justly due him for his pTovidential care an
marked favor bestowed upon lis, all throug
this eyentlul year. In this we are encou
r aged. God has seen fit to give us of lat
victory upon victory over the enemies of III
government and the foes Of mankind. |
+ the following proclamations of the Pres
= dent and Secretary of War, this good prov
denCe Of God is gratefully acknowledge
and with the thousands and tens of tho
r sands of the loyal people of the nation, "
n are requested TO unite, at this hour, in giYiu
thanks TO our heavenly Father for II
Il mercy in that he has vouchsaGed signal vi
i tories to our land and naval forces engage
a in suppressing internal rebellion.
He closed his remarks by reading Il
Proclamation of the President, and also
portion of Secretary Stantons gener
Order; and then offered upa most po-
: erful and impressive prayer for the su
cess of the canse of free government, h
! mNnity and religion, in the final discom
ture and overthrow Of the enemies of 4
d Republic. The touchingly patriotic Il
r vor of the Supplication evidently foul
Y an ardent and sincere response in t
10 heart of the large auditory present