Washington telegraph., 1864-06-22

RELIGION AND LIBsRTY.-Every one
having at heart a devout reverence for
the Christian religion, must derive hope
and confidence from tho fact, that SO
.nany of our great generals and ssatesm en-
are acruated by deep religious convio-
tions. 1t gives assurance that our cause
is halloved. The true Christian soldier
stands highest in the hearts Of all the
people. Such men as jackson and Stuart
ennoble any cause. 1t cannot be wrong.
Contrast their characters with the hypo-
crisy and cant of Northern fanaticism,
ard tho gross blasphemy of Northern
generals.
Apprspos Of this, We give the opinions
Of Lamartine concerning another revolu-
tion, equally stepped 10 the blood of pa
triots. But it lacked the conservation of
religion, and failed of the blessing. He
says:
l know-1 sigh when I think Of it
that hitherto the French people have been
the least religious of all the nations of
Europe. Is it because the idea of God,
which arises from all the evidences of na I
ture and from the depth Of reflection
being the profoundest and weightiest
idea of which human intelligence is cap.
abIej aud the French mind, being the
most rapid and mest superficial, lig ghtsst
and most unrefective Of all European
races, this mind has net the force and
severity necessary to carry far aud long
the greatest conceptions of the human uu.
dsrstanding?
Is it because our Government have al
ways taken it upon themselves to think
for US? Is it because We are and have
been a military people, a soldier nation
led by kings, heroes aud ambitious men,
from battlefield to battlefield, making
conquests and never keeping them, ravag.
ing, dazzling, charming and corrupting
Europe; and bringing home the manners,
vices, bravery, lightness and impiety Of
the camp to the freside of the people!
know not, but certain it is, that the
nation has an immense progress to make
in serious thought, if she wishes to be
free. If We look at the characters, com.
pared as regards religious sentiments, oi
the great nations of Europe, America,
even Asia, the advantages is not for US.
The great men of the country live and die
forgetting completely the only idea for
which it is worth living and dying; they
live ind die, looking at the spectator, o,
at most, at posterity.
Open the history of America, the his
tory of England, and the history Of France;
read the great lives, the great deaths, the
great rnartyrdoms, the great words, at the
hour when the ruling thought of life re
veals itsel in the last words of dying, and
compare.
Washington and Franklin fought,
spoke, suffered, always 10 the name Of
God, for whom they acted, and the libe.
rator of America, died conHding to God
the liberty Of the people and his own
soul.
Sidney, the young martyr Of patriotism,
guilty of nothing bat impatience, and who
died to expiate his country's dream OF
liberty, said 70 his jailor: 81 rejoice that
l die innocent towards the King, but q
victim resigned TO the King on High, to
whom all life is due"
The publicans Of Cromw we'll only sought
the way of God even in the field of battle.
Their politics were their faith, their reign
their prayers, their death psalm. One
hears, sees, feols, that God was In all the
movements of these great people.
But cross the sea, traverse La Mancha,
come to our tones, open our annals, and
listen to the last words Of the great politi-
cal actors of the drama of our liberty.
One would think that God was eclipsed
from tho soul, that His name was un-
known in the language. History will
have the air of an atheist when she re-
counts to posterity these annihilations,
rather than deeds of celebrated men in
the greatest year of France. The victims
only have God, the tribune and dictors
have none.
Look at Mirabeau on the bed Of death.
"Crown me with flowers" said he, Gin
toxicate me with perfumcs, let me die to
tho sound of delicious music Not a
word Of God or of His son. Sensual
philosopher, he desired only supreme
sensualism, last righteousness in his
agony.
Contemplate Madame Roland. the
strong-hearted woman Of the revolution,
on the cart that conveyed her to death.
She looked contemptuously on the be-
sottcI people who killed their prophets
and sybis. Not glance toward Heaven.
Only one word for the earth she was quit
ting-"Liberty."
Approach the dungeon door Of the
Girondins. Their last night q Banquet;
the only hymn, tho Mar,ellaise.
Follow Camille pesmoulins TO his exc
cution. A cool and indecent pleasantly
at tho trial, and long in rrecasion on the
road to the guillotine, were the two las,
thoughts of this dying man on his way to
the last tribunal
Hear Dsnton on the platform of the
scaffold, at the distance of line from
God and eternity. II have had 4 good
time of it; let me 90 to sleep" Then to
the executioner, "you will show my head
to tho people-it is worth the trouble. +"
His faith, his snuihilation, his last sigh,
...:x- n~l.0I Al E--.L->a oe Az.