Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-12-16

hope and promise. Other things being equa
this is in our favor.
am also encouraged from this consideration
We are in the midst OF an unfinished experiment
a "ew kin4 @ government. There has nevs
been triafd Free Representative government
government Of Popular Rights and Dutie,
among slargs Christian people and such gov
eminent more nearly csrresponds with the inti
nations in Scripture Of the Dirine rhoce, thar
any other. Some such system wiIlsduabtlsss hs
the final or milenal form, wheos aH shall be
kings and priests unto Gsd. Now Christian
nations have made full trial ofyotb<r kinds Of
nt,-Absoluts, Centralized 1onarchical,
hrlstocratic, Confederate. They hav61it.le more
to learn about their worth or capabilities. They
have measured their capacity. No new lessons Of
any value can be taken from them. 1t is not 80
In reference to a large Christian Republic. The
trial OF this, 40 nearly coinedent with tho Divine
idea, is reserved for the last. The experiment is
novel. And IL il should be arrested here, who
would think it had been fairly tried ? who would
not say the world has some thing yet TO learn about
oeli'Government? who, in coming ages, would
not wish America back to finish her mission?
Now, we cannot say that God may not remove
a nalon-just as he sometimes removes indiydu-
! a.s--Whch, to human view, seems more pfomis-
ing and hopeful than any other at the time He
has done II, in 1T least two instances when the
jews nation with the Bible and divine ordi.
nance', we're overcome 5y Pagan Rome, and their
nationality perished ouiwardly; and when, sever
o. centuries later, this same Rsman Empire, but
new chrlstanized and, alone OF the nations, having
the gospel in trust, MAS vanquishsd By the Pagan
tribes OF the Nor,h. But in both these cases
there was this pecuarty they had obviously
iulhlIed their mission. They had been raised up
to prepare certain legacy for the future; they
had prepared Il; and il was found that they could
hand II over TO mankind in pursr and better
condition by their demise as nations, than bv their
continuance Hence they persisted and the race
Without obstruction entered iato their Iabors, and
comparatively dead religion, in both cases, lost
It's civil support, and thus was the revival Of
puter and living religion made ultimately possible
and easy.
Our mission as nation, on the contrary. seems
still immature. II We stop here, we have wrouyh,
out no valuable ideas. We leave no legacy TO
the world, but, a. il we're, Of the failure of leg.
sey,-, work begun but uninshed,-,A less IN Of
o1nlused meaplng We teach it nothing about
The value or worlhessness OF Free Institutions.
And the vsty thing for which God seems 10 haze
ton', i sesacssRygsned. l cE"sot Ias-t, hfhat !
this will be. We shall finish our work. We
shall teach mankind som. positive and decisive
lesson abou. this novel and yet christian idea Of
4 State. Tue new and the last experiment of
gsvernms ut will not pass away as spectre
which men witness and then dispute about not
agreeing concerning its form, movements or ob.
jvctG God will not remove so great and power
fu naiion for which he has done so much, till
i has fulfilled its mission, and made definite
mark on the worlds history.
| sugur well for our country, also, because
believe t., IS The las! great Struggle Of slavery,
and God has appointed US 10 meet aud panqnsh
Il for all coming time. There are many things
which lead me TO think that slavery is now muster
ing its forces for final conc. In ancient lines it
rested It's claims on the right Of conquest, OF the
stronger, Of force then on civil welfare and the
advantage of the upper classes N later, and
in modern times, on unavoidable but reluctant
necessity and the welfare Of the slave. now on ia
herent Right, Chrsanity, the Bibe,--on every obi
z lton sacred and prefane, on earth and ln heaven
II employs, YOU perceive, the final arguments.
II csn inven: none higher, none lower. 1t can
WELD no greater lies. 1t can use no more reck
lessor defsnt hgic, no more presumLtu9us or
basphemous rhetoric. 1t has also exhaustedt egis-
.toa in it's behalf, and state craft, and diplomacy
And at this moment it is stalking for it all its
wealth. resources. and population, in an unheard
Of rebellion and bloody civil war. Surely these are
the characteristics and elements OF hnal struggle.
IL is mastering now more resources OF all kinds
than |, can ever summon into the field again
and il il fails here and now, the death-knsll OF
slavery will virtually be sounded in our world.
II this be 80, will God suff.rss, the chosen
champion against it to perish viii he appoint
us to represent His interests in this deadly issue,
and ,hon PERM. US 10 fail. do not believe it.
IL we fall, wha, will be the end Of the heaveAdar
ing and blssphemous sin :? Who, in oil this world
We may, in the light Of rsesnt events, new we'll
ask--can or will grappe with it ?
And, once mere, | am greatly encouraged be-
cause We are besinning 10 put ourselves right IN
rsfcrene. to this very issue. The cause OF the
war 10 clearly slavery and We tried for a lons
time--thr government, generals, the army the peo-
pie, TO fight the war, and save the sin and God
would not ssfer it. Gradually, but rapidly, he
sas converted US to the ways and demands of
Righteousness and humanity. And now the Proc.
lamston of the President puts us right. Now We
are openly and directly on the side Of God and
we m " hope to have his favor. 1t is not often
that in great civil connections moral principles
are brought into such direct conflict, as they now
are here. They usually are mixed and confused
with other influences and considerations. can
not doubt, therefore, il we are true 10 our present
promise, on which side God will lend his aid. /
believe that, as he h. permitted the conflict to
come upon us because of slavery, suffering it to
make one fual stupendous rally with all It's argu
men,sand forces, aud as We have now decided ,ose-
cep, the issue as one between Light and Darkness,
Christianity and BArbarsm, face to face, ne will
enable rs to crush it, once or all, Tor the good OF
our country and the world, and 70 survive the
conflict Our right moral position, nov proclaimed
by the President, sustanedby our armies aud pa