Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-11-18
Ward Beecher'sIa last Stun, Sermon.

w ard BeeCher's last stump ScfmOls
The Rev. Henry Ward Becker preached
the fourth and last campaign sermon IN
Broadway, New York, on Sunday evening
The doors being open at eight 0 clock, the
building was crowded to its utmost capaoi-
ty long before the usual3hour, Tbs IRE.
di mgs acers consaseae ed by the organi !
uith the StStar Spnglea Banner" afte'
wAish q polka ,oas played, when Mr Beech.
er made his appearance. After the usua
preliminary service, Mr.. Beecher annouu
eed his text from the book Of Esther. "
IA:
Mr.. Baecher said in beginning his dis
course. abiding to the edict of the King
relatiya to the destruction of Jews, tina,
. gigantic conspiracy, led By Haman, was
on the point Of breaking forth. In all the
provinces Of the kingdom the Jews were
about to be put to the swosa The rever-
end speaker here proceeded to compare the
conservatives Of the present day with the
Jew Mordecai The conservatives were
those who did nothing to help and nothing
to hinder wrong. They stood crlmly BY
sucking their thumbs. while events big
with lie fate of nation were transpiring
Our nation was in great peril as was that
Of the Jews 10 the days of Queen Esther
The powers Of ignorance and OF wickednes,
had made combination. There were many
who, through wickedness, were plotting
against tho Government, but by far the
greater number were plotters througe igno.
rance. That great middle class who be
lievea the essence ofwisdom to consist in
keeping still when God was calling then
to act wero just as really in league with
the plotters as was the veriest Sacessionits
The Providence Of God called on every mar
to maintain the principles Of Christian de-
mocracy.
Ii relation to the civil government al
were equal, but in society all were not
equal. All Governments were. of necessi-
ty, imperfect, and eould not be expected
to make nice moral distinction, Here Mr..
Beecher quoted the sentiment of Burns
a man is raan fol- all that" and, con
tinung the argument, said the idea Of lib.
erty had existed ever since man had exis
ted.
NJ. Beecher again entered into compari
son of European and American ideas No
where was property so safe as under dem
ocrstie government Europe BELOVED dem
ocracy to be valuable in times of peace,
but uuftcd for war. In war they believe
in fhe necessity Of a strong central power. -
Ia this connection Mr. B sechef asserted
that Size North had rot keen damaged by
this struggle. There had been no lack OF
enemies. opeu and secret; and the secret
enemies were more dangerous than the
open ones They stabbed from behind as
Cesar was stabbed by the Roman Senator
whom he had befriended; and upon the
very eve of election gigantick frauds had
been set on foot and detected frauds more
gigantick and wick d than the devil had
ever concocted in paudem mum.
Alluding again 10 Europ an IDEAS, the
rcye.eld sfe~kcr said: Europe believed
that only strong central governments could
Curry On war with success, since only 8
government Of tha. kind could exercise the
secrecy and assume the arbitrary powe,
needful in emergencies. But VIII Z il the
people should say to Abraham Lincoln, s.be
secret, take all the power, be arbitrary q
you pleas, and ween you are done return u,
The power again 7" What advantage then
had the European government over dem.
ocracy in making war. Then democracy
was as strong as an imperial dictator The
whole legacy Of colonial ideas was now en-
bodied in the Re ublican party. He wa,
ashamed of his young countrymen when
they hesitated for one moment how to vote
ID this eriss. The reverend roitieian here
proceeded to argue the right secession He
said he did not believe in the right Of the
Government to corce the people. but .he ter
litory belonged to the United States.
From this topick Mr. Beecher required
to the purpose Of this war, evolving that it
was war for the negro. .Ha took the me-
gro apart from all issues, and was ready 70
confess that he was fghlnn for him. He
would fight for the most ignorent German
under same circumstances. II any man
said he was an aboltionIst he was ready to
confess it. In conclusion, the reverend gen
tleman appealed to give their votes or
Mr.. Lincoln That man who dared to beg
votes for the sham Democracy; especially
of the soldiers, would stand in Deed of no
day Of judgment He would get to hell
without judge Or jury.