The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1864-02-25

INlsUouoh TOT the uisclpnnc OF naton "
designs, not to destroy, but TO preserve
and bless.
Certain am that the hand OF God L
in this struggle. His people should mol
be slow to recognize t. rejoice that my
own brethren have not thought it neccs.
sary, in hcirgreot couvoootious, to smoth.
or their patriotism. The action Of this
body at its last annual meeting, in refer.
ence TO the stupcndous crisis through
(which our nation is passing, gave me the
most profound satisfaction. The senti.
mcnts then adopted, admirable for the
nerve and vigor with which they were
Expressed, wcre dictated By the most olc-
waited patriotism. How true il is, as was
then asserted, that the progress Of eivili'
Eation,of freedom, Of Christianity through.
out the world, are involved in the prcscn,
war.
Our fathers, when they gave US cur
present form or government, lcn In il
what they had fouI~, a most mischicvous
and dcmoralizing element They not Or
ly lclt it, but they protected ii with con-
slitutional guarantees, slavery, in its
very nature opposed to freedom, always
greedy of power, and impatient Of re-
slraint, not content with the protection
thrown around il by the Constitution, de-
mandcd the right Of unlimited expansion.
II claimed to be recognized among the
foundation principles Of the government.
Because these claims were resisted, Il
rcbellcd. II commenced its cncroach-
ments IN our religious associations. This
venerable body vas rent in twain by it's
impcrious cxoctions. At length, having
deliberately prepared itself for the fear
rul issue, it has attempted the disruption
of the government itself.
So long as il kept itself within the
limits contemplated by the trainers ofthe
Constitution, 30 long II was entitled to
protection. The national government
had no right TO interfere with il But
now, by its own act, this impcdimcnt has
been removed. Slavery has rcbcllcd. -
It has committed treason, the great crime
of crimes--thc "unpardonnble sim" 1t
has become nn outlaw, and, like other
fclons, Il must bo fettcred and bound
As political power, 1t must be annihila-
snI I'D fnl.rn l., Il
ternaiivc. There can be no more ncgo-
tiation, no more diplomacy, no moro COM
promise, no more peace conventions, no
more delusivc expcdicnts. Each party
has inscr ibed its principles upon its ban
ner, and the bloody contest must 20 on
until the slave power is subdued or our
country is overthrown.
At such n time and in such a crisis
there can be no neutrality. He that is
not for his country is against. And il
becomes every patriot, and most Of all,
every christian patriot, to bring home to
himself more closely, his obligations to
his country, that the spirit Of the nation
may be quickened, that its self.devotion
may be strengthened, and its energies
more thoroughly aroused.
Notwithstanding the. intensity of the
conflict, md the forebodngs of fearful
hearts, have never doubted as to the is.
sue. My confidence is still unshakon.-
God has great purposes yet to accom-
plish TIN ough the instrume ntality of this
nation, and He will not be disappointed.
Our country; emerging from the cloud
which now envelops il, into a clearer sky,
purified and more firmly united and COM
pncted together by the fearful ordeal
through which il hus passed, will rise to
a higher, noblcr career among the ma
tons Of the earth, and under a Heavenly
guidance move on to the accomplish
ment of its holy destiny.
Perhaps ought to apologize for hav-
ing said as much us | have here at the
very threshold of our proceedings. car
only say have spoken out of the abun.
dance Of the heart. | am sure there is
not ono who hears me, who does not re-
sPond to the sentiments Lave uttered.
Ii any shall think their ulterance here
ill-timed and out Of plnce, can only cast
myself upon their patriotic indulgence.
Though not familiar with the details of
the operations Of the Union for the past
year, think ] know enough of them TO
be able to assure you that when the re-
ports shall come to be presented, there
shall be found in them abundant cause
for gratitude and congratu lation.
Hoping and trusting that a spirit of
harmony and Christian affection and
sympathy may characterize all our de.
liberations, let US all labor and pray that
this venerable Union, so dear 10 us all,
mey still go on with increased vigor and
success ia its great and heavenly work
Of evaDgelizng the world.
0<TTHE Constitution and Uaion Of
Fairfield, Iowa, edited by Duye Steward,
vas visited by Company e, I'd Iowa In
'aniry, and type and paper was thrown
out of The window. The subscription
books were also destroyed.
65-SEsAroK FosrER reported favor.
lbly, from the Committee on Pensions.
bill giving s8 per month to John T.
Burns, citizen nearly eighty years old,
# Gettysburg, who alone reinforced ,
iencral Meade's army in the defense of ,
hst nlaea