American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-08-02

| the articles OF confederation, as far as II
had any existence at all; until 1879, when
"we the people" assumed the sovereign
control in our own right, agreeing to
govern ourselves, according to the prin-
ciples laid down in the Constitution OF
the United States.
The Declaration of Independence which
was an appeal to the God of heaven, as
well as protest against British despo-
tsm; contains the fundamental Ameri-
can doctrine. Upon this altar, our faith
ers poured ont their blood God acccp-
ted the sacrifice, and gave us freedom.-
The Constitution is itself constitutional
only when it reflects the sentiments Of
that honored document The Declara-
tion of Independence harmonizes with
the Bible, in the following particulars =
First In regarding God as The Crea-
tor Of mankind, and the disposer Of ma
tions.
Second. In declaring the brotherhood
of man, and an equality of rights. The
Declaration of Independence says: "Ali
men are created equal" St Paul says
God hath made of one blood, all nations
of men for to dwell on all the face OF the
earth" Acts 17::26. The Declaration
says: of all men, THAT they are endowed
BIZ their Creator, with certain inalionablo
rights that among them are life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness" These
rights are all guarded by the Bible. OF
life it said: "Whoso shedeth mans blood,
by man shall his blood be she'd" (Gen.
Q:6. Oriibcrtsy: {" lie that stealeth a
man, and selIeth him, or if he be found
in his hand he shall surely be put to
death" (Exod. 2l"lG. Life and lib
erty are put upon equal grounds, both
guarded by the highest penal sanction ;
the man slayer and the man stea!er, being
both adiudgcd to death. The right to
the pursuit Of happiness is both defined
and guarded by the Golden Rule : "As
We would that others would do to you, do
ye also to them
Like ancient Israel, we have sinued
against our own fundamental law; our
practice has been false to our creed. We
have declared that all men are created
equal, and endowed by their Creator with
equal rights, but in practice, we have
made them unequal before the law. Near
one eighth of our population are depri-
we'd of the right Of suffrage, some places
absolutely, in other places they enjoy it
by an uncertain tenme--w while four mil
lions of the native citizens Of the United
States, were born in slavery.
Slavery was forced upon this country,
while in its colonial condition, by the
British Government. Tor its introduce
ton among us we are not strictly respon-
sibIe, but our Constitution covcrtly
recognizes It's existence. We have Leg
SLATED for It's benefit in the Congress Of
the nation; We have bowed to its dictates
aud muIe it at once our sin and our mas
ter Not content with crushing ont the
spirit Of all, both white and black, who
VINO were not able to participate in its
gains, it demanded the control of the na-
uon; disappointed, its minions haunted
the traitors flag, and with the implements
of war, struck at the lie of the Govern
ment.
Treason is a sin, both against the ma
ton and against God George Wash
iugton was not traitor, for the British
Government had withheld from the peo-
pie, their neutral rights, his was a strug-
gle of the people against despotism.-
jeff. Davis is traitor, his was struggle
of Despotism against Constitutional free
dom; oppression was their purpose, he
and his adherents were apostate enemies
of the human race. "The powers that
be, are ordained of God" were words
spoken by higher than human au-
thority. Government was ordained
for double purpose. "For rulers are not
terror to good works, but to the evil
Wilt thou then not be afraid of the pow
er? Do that which is good, and thou
shalt have praise of the same. For he is
the minister of God to thee for good
But if thou doest that which is evil, be
afraid for he beareth not the sword in
vain; for he is the minister of God,
rcvenger to execute wrath upon him that
doeth evil" Rom. 13.)
To protect the good, to punish the evil
doers, is the legitimate work of the ruler,
and while true to his trust he has Gods
protection. For because the powers that
be are ordained of God, and as the ruler
is Gods minister; therefore, whatsoever
resisteth the power, ,resisteth the ordinance