Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1863-02-04
From the Charleston Courier.
~. nh,ira,ions of ci,izenship.

The Oblications of Citizenship.
1t refreshes our spirits and emboldens our
confidence to call to mind the manifestations
of tie Aimighty's favor toward our cause.
And while 1t is our duty to remember and to
cherish these marks of the loving kindness
of tie Lord, the glorious fact that be has ia
ken par. wi h Us, so far from causing us to
relax our efforts and abate our vigilance, ifit
affect ua properly, will make US the more val
liant, the more patient, the more Watchtui'
the more energetic.
If with so just and noble cause, approved
and assisted by the God of justice and truth,
we fail from lack Of coursge, vigilance and
enterprise, the failure will cover US with eter'
nal shame and contempt. TIE fact, then'
that God is with us, that lie inspires and dl-
reefs our deliberations, plans and fights our
battles. controls al! our affairs in the council
chamber and on the field Of battle, and
strengthens and sustains the hearts OF the
people--that precious fact sheuld make Us
more faithful in the performance OF our ou-
ties, and more careful to abstain from every
evil.
II TIE light Of Gods oountcnaRce shines
nnon cur cause, that cause has claims upon
ia that we dare not turn our backs upon.
The voice of Government is the voice of
God, and all its requirements and commands
are clothed With authority aud power. 1t
simply gives utteraace to obligations which
have been binding by the Lord of all, and in
making known these duties, the Government
W. ourselves created simply acts as the organ
snd instrument of the King of Kings and
Lord OF Lords.
This consideration vastly augments the
force of the obligations made incumbent by
citizenship. And in refusing to meet them,
in refusing to comply With the demands OF
patriotism, We violate the commands Of
Heaven, and are doubly criminal in the sight
of God.
If Influenced by unworthy considerations
Of any sort, we fail to do our part, in times
of pea,e, in maintaining the majesty of the
Laws OF the land, in correcting evils and abu-
sss in the Commonwealth, in elevating the
tone of public morals, and in the perform
ance of any of the duties the State makes
obligatory, We are guilty Of grave offences,
for which punishment hereafter shall be iu-
aictsd. How much blacker the crime and
how much sevsrer tbs punishment We shall
receive, if We are recrea.t to those obliga-
tions, when the Tery existence Of that Gov
srnment is menaoed by bold aud powerful
fee.
It ii then that patriotism calls upon US in
loud authoritative tones. 1t is then that our
conscitnces urgs with the greater vehemence.
We may not counsel, under such c,rcumstan.
ces, with flesh and blood, ambition, ease, in
terest, aeshly delights, must not be permitted
to have anything 20 do with the determination
of our minds. Wemust turn deaf ear to
the blandi.hments Of pleasure, the sweets OF
damestlc happiness must become bitter to our
taste, wife, child, property must not interfere
with The imperative claims Of our country.
We must forego for space the qualification
of the finer and more delicate feelings Of our
n,ture. The timea demand sacrifices and nc
matter how great the aelf-denial it must be
made. Every interest must be considered as
inferior to the public interest which il e1
posed to peril, and not only must We aban
don ambitious prospects aud gainfni pursuits
and not only must We bid udieu to the en-
deasments OF home, and give our undivided
and earnest attention TO the work our countr.
calls upon us 10 do, but we must be Willing