The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-12-01

principles, OF pure democracy. AL
had equal voices in the making and
execution of the laws. Ofthese rival
styles of civilization, the first two
waned, and the third has been steadi,
~ difusing its spirit over all the
land. =
The first Revolution gave shape to
the sentiments of Democracy and
moulded for us the formula " all men
are born free and equal, 7 and possess
the inalienable rights Of life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness" From
that hour to this these sentiments
have steadily continued to gain as
cendancy True, they have some
times been like the waves of the ris-
ing. tide, when one wave is succeeded
by another that does not wash the
sand so far as its predecessor, but the
next would go beyond both. Appa-
rent checks and retrogade movements
we have sometimes had, but they
have been only apparent.
You all remember the great Know
Nothing movement, how soon the
principle of equal civil rights to all
swept it away. Every revolution,
every civil conflict, however it seems
to end, always elevates the masses
and the day is rapidly approaching
when the recognition and protection
of equal civil rights shall be fully at
tanned. as45 aq5E 81 ass
The second civil problem is that of
Self Government. The government
of the people, for the people, by the
people, The opposition to this
comes from the pride and aristocracy
of the high and the vice and igno-
rance of the low Perhaps the time
has not yet come when man is capable
of self national government, for he is
not yet always capable of self personal
control. But, with system that ig-
nores cast and encourages merit
with our free Protestant Bible to give
virtue, and our common schools to
give intelligence, we confidently hope
to see the day when this idea of De-
mocracy shall be realized. abn..g
We consider, lastly, the religious
problems. First is that of perfect re-
ligious tolerance. Nowhere outside
Of free America may we hope for this.
No government, with an established
Church, breathes its spirit. We re-
member that but few years ago
Roman Catholic Spain imprisoned, as
felens. two of her subjects for reading
and teaching the word of God. Free
and merry England wrings tithes from
her dissenting poor to support sect
and an establishment in which they
do not believe. The same is true of
every nation with an established
Church. Only here, in our ownloved
land, may all, without any restraint,
worship at that altar and support that
faith which wise judgment and con-
science approve. The Jew no longer
an exile and stranger, looks no more
to Palestine as the haven of his hopes,
for here, under the kind shelter of the
American flag, he rears his temples,
worships as he chooses the God of
his fathers, and finds a home. The
Romanist comes with his rites and
ceremonies and worships safely under
the same banner. The Episcopalian,
the Presbyterian, the Baptist, the
Methodist, the Quaker, the Unitarian,
all, worship in peace as they will. /
rejoice to-day in this perfect religious
federation of my native land. r.tl
The modifying influences of antag-
onistic doctrines upon each other is
another hopeful indication. The Ro-
man Catholic leaves his inquisition
behind him when he comes here.
The spirit of English Episcopalian-
ism is modified in America; Scotch
Calvanism is peroeptibly toned down
in this country; and so of many strik-
ing. peculiarities of all the churches.
We account for this by the general
mingling of all the advocates of these
different systems freely together, just
as on the lake shore the washing of
the waves smooth and polish the
shingles, so does this contact of Christ
ian with Christian, on terms of per-
feet equality, destroy bigotry and ex-
clusiveness and draw brethren near
together. f 6 Tt5 kI9H
This free discussion of the various
theological systems and dogmas, has
been and will continue to. be, cru
chile to try and purify them all. As
a course of experiments in philosophy
exposes error, develops new truths,
and perfects the science, so. under this
contact of system with system, do we
hope to see sectarian prejudices fade
away, until we shall see eye to eye, and
the broadcast Christian sympathy shall
pervade the hearts of Gods children.
Never was there so grand field for
so glorious demonstrations We have
all chimes and products in our own,
the land flowing with milk and honey.
The clouds drop fairness, and the rocks
pour forth rivers of oil. The verdure
and beauty, and marvellous fruitful
ness of the earth's surface conceal
the richer treasures of the mines.
Surely this is Heaven favored
land. Surely God has high purposes to
accomplish through the instruments
tally of .this latest born child of the
nations. In view of the social rights.