Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-03-26
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THURSDAY MORNING. MARCH 2s, lsss.
Tomorrow.


Tomorrow is the day set spart by the President "as
a d,v OF fasting humiliation and prayeS" when the
people are requested to repair to them usual places of
worship pand to join in prayer Almighty God, hat
he m continue his mercifu protection over our cause,
that be will scatter enemies aud set at naUght their
evil designs and that be will gracOusly restore TO our
beloved country she blessingsOf peace and security.
The following reflections of the Southern Cries are
appropriate and impressive:
The observance Of this day viii afford an inisllble
test by which TO determine how tar our people nave
bsep so improved-sO made better by suffering as 70
prepare the foe national independence, freedom, peace
and prosperity. . -.
with neglect with idicule aud scorn, without solemn
recognition of the supremacy and rghtful moral gov
prnmept of God--wtrout some solemn public act OF
humiliation and invocation; them indeed we must De
driven "a the sad and mOurniu conclusion that they
have no. vet suffered enOugI-the war has not lasted
long enough-he great calamity has failed oil ITS great
purposes and that We have suffered and have grown no
better nor learned wisdom by our suherings Who
does not remember that memorable period IN French
history when the Lsgsla hrs, by formal act abolished
the Christian Jblth-when revealed religion was out
lawed-when Reason was deihed, and Almighty God ae-
tbroned so far a. these could be effected by the Jolly
and wickedness OF men--when the Bible was attached
10 the tail Of an ass and dragged in triumph through
rb- streets of Pars2 And who does not also bear m
mind The signal -eributOus that followed, by which Tue
usulted Deity indicated the outraged majesty OF MS
being and government God gave them up TO their reason
and their virtue and their ability TO take care OF them
salyes Tls horrors-the tears-the bloOd-the treach
sry-the bereayemeDt-the unrestrained work oil devils
and the reign O the sword for many years aested out
TOO mOuniuIly how much nations oweto rellgion-ho"
dependent they upon the merctu and wise eXeruon
Of tie power Of the great God Of Heaven! lie who Is
not an atheist must believe that God has power to d
rect and control all events. What he does not prevent
he permits rhe fortunes Of nations, and the event
must be taken a providence. What lie orders must
be Wise and inst, and cannot occur without sgnu
,ance All judicial infections have reCreGce our moral
condition as people and if there be any one solemn
truth declared Oteuef and with more solemn emphasis
Jnan another the Book OF revelation, it - that All
national suf,ungS sgned TO teaeh-tO Cali men
back % a recognition Of the moral government OF Nm
tia, made heaven and earth, and men, aud angels aAd
vii not divide bis sovereignty, nor allow dis creatures
10 sink into the p0utions Of i1Oltry without an EFFORT
10 save them 'fs shall know tit, am JtH'yAH. - D.
tha on-reDeated and most so!ewu d'cara'iOu oil the
Deity 10 man.
n r reoals would i-e from this great Ie pa
RCD f,s-d rec great iu ~ the moral attrbutts OF
n mighty r5uon--f our struggling, suffering country
would achieve El0riOgs and decisive victory over the
opprssor aud once more save aer trimnnAAn1 oanieI
over every league OF her domain aud hu dehace INTO
the teeth Of q cruel bur impOten' foe; 81 our peope
oud once more SOW their fields and reap their haryest,
o3en again the schOOhOuse and the church, reesiaol>h
an the broken arrangements OF social aud domestic or
ganiz tons; if they would be free and at peace let
thsm perform great, solemn formal act OF humiliation
and eousscration before COD, aud call upOn Him All
the rest He Ei'l DO for US!
As.in we appeal to the Southern press Are the con
5Brtors of the p-.ss ashamed TO acknowledge belief
in the truths OF revealed religion
Have they uo moral courage than to SHRINK IRON
the discussion Of The propretes involved IN the o6serV
auce Of a holy jayY
Do thew not recognize .he solemn truth that they are
the rsDr,snt1rss 0f Their people and such are held
10 account
Let every man. woman and child in our Confederation
observe the DIV OF hstug and prayer in their eharac
ter t, a people sad invoke the "pduots God Tor sd'
and Tor de!yer0ucel