The Portland daily press., 1863-08-15
evil fate upon US in all we do at home and

evil fate upon us in all we do at home and
abroad"
Such is poor, feeble human nature under the
pressure of adversely. This nervousness has
prevailed not a little among the loyal people
during their long interim of hope deferred
And when the pulpit has uttered its strong
assurances of Providential care, they have
been received with involuntary distrust. But
as the clouds pass away, and the nations
prayer Is answered in Immediate triumphs, the
people take heart, and letting their better
judgments have free play, are then ready to
shout with David, 30 sing unto the Lord
new song, for he hath done marvellous things,
his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten
him the victory"
Though the popular mind ought to recognize
Providential care in adversely, 1t Is cheering
to zee it grasping this truth and to any extent
feeling the force of IL, ut intervals, when the
gloom of reyerses is relieved by Frightening
prospects
These incentives 10 thanksgiving with others
which might be named, should stir in our
hearts a deeper devotion to country, and
awaken gratitude which shall blend with our
present religious feelings. Long enough has
our country been blighted by the atheistic sem
timent, that devotion TO country is no part OF
our religion, that it has properly no place in
the sanctuary where purely religious feeling
and principle are to he cultivated.
The prayers, counsels, songs, and the public
worship recorded in the Old Testament, glow
with patriotic devotion; some of the most
ecstetic Thanksgiving there offered, are on
behalf of national fortune.
Our gratitude should also find expression
in persistent effort TO secure TO the country
and to posterity the fruits Of our victories.
When the bogus Confcderacy is so far broken
as to sue for reconciliation, ii will be most
critical period in this crisis. The cry for peace
which we have been SO long waiting TO hear,
may decoy us into compromise, which will
only give us a truce preparatory to more
desperate struggle, complicated by foreign alli-
ance and intervention. Should the govern
mcnt be forced to retrace its steps on behalf of
freedom (which firmly believe it will never
consent to dol and attempt to re-inslave men,
women and children, now nobly represented
In the Union army, and whom the rebellion
has forced upon the government the necessity
OF emancipating, Liberty will be outraged aud
humanity degraded, the cry Of four millions
of Gods poor will 90 up to heaven against us,
the scorn of the civilized world will be heaped
upon US, God in the principles OF his govern
ment will be against us, and our dearly bought
victories will be only prelude TO further
bloody struggles. Freedom and Slavery can
never fraternize in land where the bible is
unbound and human thought is uniettered
There is but one way in which to stay the
triumphant progress OF Freedom in this land,
and that is TO abolish all our Churches and
Sabbath Schools, burn all our bibles, change
all our religious teachings to fables, erase from
our memory Plymouth Rock, aud stop think
ing.
Our gratitude should also take form in
cordial and firm support Of the administration.
When the time arrives for the quadrennial
election it will be the freeman's privilege 10
carry his opposing principles TO the ballot box,
and change the administration. If the sover-
eign people so decree. But until that time
there is no way at our option to save the
country, except through the present admins
tration. And he who now Intentionally EN-
harnesses that administration by word or act,
takes rank with the tories Of the Revolution.
The gratitude of this day should so intensity
loyalty in the public mind, that Valandig-
hamtes wherever found will hide their heads
aud tremble for the odium going down through
them to their posterty.
Our gratitude should further lead us to CON-
mend our country trustingly to God. rec
objection of his past mercies ought always to
inspire trust for the future. Now that his bow
is clearly seen on the stormy sky. let there be
no more Responding when reverses again come.
Let the tempests gather, and the pillows swell
and dash against our ship OF State,
..we'll nail to the mast her flag,
Set every thrcad-bare SAIL
And give her TO the God of storms.
The lightning and the gale
must not omit TO say, finally, that our
gratitude for victories should flow out in be-
nflcence for our sick and wounded soldiers.
The Sanitary Commission. Young Mems Chris
tian Association, and other benevolent organi-
cations are doing an immense work, as the
almoners of the peoples ffeewill offerings on
behalf OF these suffering saviors of our country.
Hundreds of thousands OF dollars worth of
hospital comforts have passed through these
direct channels. which the willing hands of
men. women and children have contributed,
and which have immensely relieved suffering
in our army. Let these contributions cease
only when the demand ceases.