Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-05-21
JOHNSON. May 1th, 1868.

JOHNSON May Ith, 1868.
GENTLEMEN: When, on the lst instant, you
requested copy of my discourse, for the press
it was doubtful in my own mind whether
ought to comply. This arose partly from the
sense had of my inability to throw any valuable
light upon public affairs, and partly from an un-
willingness to appear as political writer. But
remembering that in such crisis as ours the
most inconsiderable thinker may present his
thoughts to the public without apparent AFRO
Cance, and that persons of your judgment
thought my remarks might be of some little SER
vice, decided, though with great reluctance, to
place this copy at your disposal. Still | doubt
the propriety of giving it publicity, but submit
the question now, wholly to you.
Sincerely devoted to my country's service,
remain, gentlemen,
Your sincere friend and pastor,
JAMES DOUGHERTY.
Though satisfied that the publication of
lengthy articles, on politics or other sub
jdcts, does not generally contribute to the
popularity of country paper, yet at the
request of the friends of the author, and
in view of his well,known good sense and
his originality as thinker, we give this
discourse a place in our columns, trusting
that our readers will find it we'll worth
an attentive perusal:
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF JOHNSON, ON
THE OCCASION OF THE NATIONAL FAST,
APRIL 3OTH, 1868,
BY JAMES DOUGHERTY,
PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
And it was so. that all that saw it, said,
There was no such deed done nor seen from the
day that the children of Israel came up out OF
the land of Egypt unto this day consider OF IT,
take ADVICE and speak your minds" Judges
10; 80
Certain men of the Tribe of Benjamin
had committed crime, thar which moth
ing ever before, in Hebrew history had
been so horrid The assembled Tribes de-
manded of this Tribe to deliver up the
,culprit, and they would be satisfied But
the Benjaminites refused to do so. The
consequence was brief. but terrible CIV
il war, in which the Tribe of Benjamin
was the aggressor. Severe fgtiug ensued
and the Benjaminitcs were defeated with
great loss aud suffering.
1t is not probable they would have
done as they did, had there been an eff
,cient government over the nation; but as
there was no king in Israel "cvery man
did that which was right in his own eyes.
.Mnd they hoped the other Tribes (tre
primary source of power would not act
lin concert against them for such cause.
Between these transgressors and that
section of this nation now in war against
the constitution and laws of their country,
there is a strong resemblance. But So
too, there are some differences but each
of these only makes their case blackei
than the offenders in the context; and
iustifes me in saying az was said of the
crime Of the .Benjaminitcs.-There has
been no such .,sGanee committed against
good governmeRSs at any time, as this
which the government and people of the
United States are now repelling.
lst, To see this. consider what gov
ernment ours is. 1t is one in which the
pepole arc sole sovereigns. Yet they govern
through laws which are made, simply
for the welfare of all. Under this gov
ernment "industry is encouraged, piety
respected, and ambition animated with
no restraint but those laws which are Tho
same to all, and no distinction but thai
which merit may originate. Thus o.
the nation in general, but the fostering
care of these laws was excrtcd for tn
Slave Power in particular. Their right
were secured to the fullest extent Th'
nation was especially pledged to do this
The fugitive Slaves. the Free States wer
bound to return when escaping. there. s.
faithfully was this done that Judge Doug
lass said, nineteen twentieths werc SO re
turned Three votes we're guaranteed +