East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1866-03-07
WHOLE NO. 344.

erations of interest. 1t is difficult to
conceive a greater evil or curse than
could befall our country. stricken and
distressed as it now is, than for SO
large portion of its population as
this class will quite probably consti-
tuto hereafter, 10 be reared in igno-
rance, dopravity and vice. In view OF
such a state.of things, we'll might the
prudent, even now, look to its aban-
donment. Let us not, however, in
dulge in sucli thoughts Of the future.
Nor let us without an effort say the
system can not be worked. Let us
not, standing still, unhesitatingly ask,
"Can there be any good thing come
out OF Nazareth 7" But let US rather
say as Gameliel did, ''if this counsel
or this work be Of men, it will como
to nought; but if it be of God We can
not overthrow it, lest haply ye be
found evon to fight against Cod
The most vexed questions Of tho age
are social problems These we have
heretofore had but little to do with
we were relieved from them by our
peculiar institution. Emancipation Of
the blacks, with its consequences, was
ever considered by me as social
question, one relating TO to the proper
status of the different elements Of So.
ciety, and their relations toward each
other, looking to the best interest Of
al than in any other light. The pc
cuniary aspect Of it, the considera-
tions of labor and capital, in pohlieo
economic view, sunk into insigniGcante
in comparison to this. This problem,
as one of the results of the war, is
now upon us, presenting one Of the
most perrlexing questions of the sort
that any people ever had to deal with.
Let us resolve to do the best We can
with it, from all the lights we have, or
can get from any quarter. With this
view. aud in this connection, / take
the liberty of quoting for your con-
sideration some remarks even from
the Rev. Henry Ward Beechor. I
met with them some months ago whlo
pondering on this snbject, and was as
much struck rs surprised with the
drift Of their philosophy, coming from
the source they did. / give them as
| find them in the New York Times,
whore they were reported. You may
be as much surprised at hearing such
ideas from Mr.. Beecher as l was
But however much we may differ
from him on many questions, and on
many questions connected with this
subject, yet al must admit him to
rank among the master spirits Of the
age. And no one perhaps has con-
tributed more 10y the power Of his pen
and voice IN bringing about the pres
ent state of things than he has. Yet,
nevertheless, i commend TO your seri-
GUS consideration, as pertinent TO my
present OBJECT, what he was reported
to have said, as follows:
''ln our. land and time facts and
questions, are pressed upon us, which
denan christian settlement--settla-
ment on this ground and doctrine
We cannot escape the responsibility.
Being strong aud powerful, we Toust'
nurse'and help and educate and fos-
ter the weak and poor and ignoraht.
For my own part cannot see how
we shall escape the most terrible con-
fllct of classes, by and by, unless we
are educated into this doctrine Of duty
on the part Of the superior to tho in
ferior. We are told by jealous and
fanatical individuals, that all men are
equal. We know better They are
not equal. A common brotherhood
teaches no such absurdity. a theory
of universal, physical likeness, is no
more absurd than this. Now, as i'll
all times, the strong GO TO the top, the
weak go TO the bottom. It's natural,
right, and can't be helped. All
branches are not at the top Of the
tree, but the top does not desl:se tho
lower, nor do they al! dospise the
linib or the parent trunk; and ~
with the body polite; there must be
classes. Some must be at the top and
some must be at the bottom 1t ia
difficult to forcsee and estimate the
development Of the power Of classes
in America. They are simply newt
able They are here now, and will
he more. If they are friendly, living
at peace, loving and respecting, ard
helping one another. all will be vel.
But if they are selfish, unehristiaD
IL the old feeling is TO reign, each OK
tracing all be can from his neightor,
and caring nothing for him society
will be lined by classes as by seams
like batteries, each frinc b.oadsida
after broadside, the one apon the
other If on tho o.hc. hand the law
of lows prevails thosa win be no IA
will, no envy, 10 aisturbance. Does
a child hate LIS father because he is
chief, because lie is strong and wise ?
On the contrary he grows with his
growth, and strengthens will,
his strength. And IL in society there
should be fifty grades Or classes, all
helping each otlics their will 10 no
tyouhle, but perfect satisfaction and
content. This christian doctrine, car
red into practice, win easily settle the
most trchb'escme Of al home present
qtest.ons." ." ti9f 7 i ''.', ~
What he hcre said of the state of
things whore lie spo..c in the State OF
New York, ind tho fearful antng' n'sm
Of classes thcio, is much ii.oro appli-
cable TO MS. Here, it is true, only
two great classes exist, or are likely
to exist, but these oye deeply marked
by distinctions bearing the impress Of
nature. The one is how beyond all
question greatly superior TO the other.
These classes are as distinct as races
,f mon can be. The one is Of tho
highest typo of humanity. the other
IF the lowest All that he says Of the
luty of the superior to protect, TO
lid, TO encourage, nnd to help the in-
Scrior, ! fully and cordially endorss
n VI. H.. .I|