New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-02
Sermsn by tho Rev. Dr. Thompssn ~ the
broadway Tnbe rnaclc.

The Rev. j. y. Thompson, ID. d., delivered
highly interesting discourse yesterday morning in
Chronicles. xIxv-26. a.
DIR. Thompson began by saying that "the best com.
memoratioa OF good and worthy man il the simple
record Of his goodness and Of his deeds The indyid
ua passes from the stage his deeds enter into history
lie then proceeded 10 allude TO Mr.. Lincolns clear
comprehension Of this law. and to the mutual
the reverse. as evidenced by his peculiar policy.
HIS greatness that he could discern tendencies
and seize and shape evens and by the Significance Of
events so determined. he made his administration an
epoch and the epoch has made him. Turning then ia
the consideration Of this epoch Dr. Thompson entered
upon the subject with the remark; The admiuistIa
ton Of Mr.. Lincoln marks an epoch by the consolida
ton of nationality under democratic forms.
the Characteristic feature Of modern society has
been since the feudal times tendency toward tie
national polity as the normal type OF government
Cbaremagne first stopped the Insecurity Of barbarous
times, and the principles OF his government remained
in the feudal form a nucleus Of order. In England.
feudalism reduced TO maeable aristocracy, IN
France IL was absorbed In the growth of monarchy.
which has declined and will continue TO do until
me sovereign nation gains the contest hnaiy
Tho idea OF nationality embraces. first. distinct IN
divided people having community Of language OF tor
ritory Of interests and Institutions secondly the CON-
bination Of all interests justly proportioned. The
Italians were never TINS formed until Victor Enanueis
time; Turkey and China lack elements of true nation
atty; in Europe. the British Constitution nearly pos.
sesses the principle while In Germany II II still weak
ed by political divisions and France IL ever unsteady
The general tendency. however, " modern periods
OF society is toward naturalization; and within this
period institutions have arisen. born OF English na-
ionaliy without aristocracy and therefore. have n
strong tendency toward It. Mr.. Lincoln most clearly
saw this tendency, ard faithfully defended II against
the selfdcstrnctivo dogma Of state Sovereignty and
his Administration has determined both the fact
and the perpe,uiiy OF a nationality under Democrat c
forms. This his messages for eol and st2 manifest.
Our national danger has been disruption from this We
have escaped. A third point u the discourse vas
that Mr.. Lncon's administration has proved our Con
stuton adequate TO all emergencies OF the state The
Constitution Is the symbol Of tho national life
and Will Dwelling also at length on this point. the
reverend speaker added other lessons TO be drawn from
the subject that this Administration was signalycd By
the overthrow Of deinagoru.ism native vice and
special evil a political power Of Republics Mr. LiI-
coin curly exposed its evil character.
Honor and nghteoasness have held the high places
Of power.
s. The respect secured by the Administration from
the civilized world il OF no small value
6. Ideas have become spiritual forces in public afers
during the Administrative and finally new epoch Is
marked Of the manifestation OF the Kingdom OF God in
tho world God b. gan the warthe South did not Mr.
Lincoln contradiced bis words an TO Slavery but
the hand Of God has been present throughout, MANI
testify guiding tie whole for1is own wise purposes.