Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-12-10

ries arose patriotism no longer controlled bu
selRshnsss reigned supreme. They became fra
prey to vice, introduced by wealth, then Il
dissentions originating in vice, then finally Il
some poor but united, and in comparison, vir
tuous foe. Under David, when the Jews were
poor, they were virtuous, and hence invinci
BILE; but when under Solomon they grew
wealthy and luxurious, their degeneration be-
| gan and never after did they regain the posi-.
tien they held when David svayed the sceptrs
and Righteousness rsigned in the land. When
Persia was comparatively impoverished her
armies were invincible, but when her people
had grown wealthy on the spoils Of Babylon
and reveled amid splendor and luxury, she be-
came the easy prey of the sturdy sons of Mace
don led by Alexander the Great. Nor, unless
we learn from those nations who have grown
wealthy and vicious and hence have fallen,
can We hope to escape similar fate. This is
especially true Of Republics. No Republic has
yet stood the test Of vice. The vices of AsiA
introduced into the Roman Empire hastened
Its downfall, and vice unchecked by Q healthy;
vigorous, opposing. public sentiment, as 1t has
been the hans of all Republics, must, If allow
ed TO reign unrestrained, be our destroying
curse. Any other form of government may en-
dure it for time, but there is NO hope for
Republican institutions but In the virtue and
intelligence of tbs people.
cnhfnc-
teristcs of our population ,-ts mongrel character;
enterpriang spirit and Its lev Of gain that
while these things all essential and all
aueive 70 our wonderful growth, and prophetic Of
messed, yet they each contain elements dangerous
to our national purty,-that they are fraught with
danger to our country because they three things
from which our moral atmosphere Ia constantly re-
oeiving an infusion Of poison
The whole question Of preservation therefore, IL
right mere Can We control these thingsf Have
we virtue enough, religion enough, pure patriot.
ism enough The battle fer existence 10 not with
with treason. Treason has done its worst, and We
by Gods blessing have triumphed. We, by that
triumph have proven 10 the world that,
"Ths graves not dug where traitor han de- shall lay
In fearful haste, our counrys murdered away.
The battle Is one In which We must engage are
more dangerous, because more oonoealed, and sub
tie, for either. We have to engage In q contest
with Woe in all its forms, and pursrs It In all its
ramihoations. Religion must combat with irreli-
gion-purity must contend with impurity, and
righteousness with all unrighteousness. II virtue
and truth maintain the asoendency then. we are
safe If they are crushed II they must bow to their
opposites. we ere ruined. Thsis the great battle
now to be fought Here in our day, and In our
midss, s inspired By the right, nsrved BY tho un.
is Just and noble, and good, In manner, and on q
moral contest,
anu sueoeeuinBi, preserving virtue, making her
benign sway universal, who oan measure our pros
Perty, or what poet shall sing in numbers suoient
" rspturous of that blessing God will make US to
the nations Of mankind. Ner shall we fail.
virtue will be victor. Truth shall triumph, and
the world shall behold In these United States, par
adoxical a. 1t may appear, q monRrel population
fused into one mass by common virtue,-a people
whose enterprise 10 without parallel regulating
that enterprise by Christian prineiple; and q peo-
PIE who are eager In ths pursuit Of wealth, using
that wealth for the promotion Of science-the gem
eral diffusion Of knowledge the propagation o. the
Gospel among all nations-ths relief Of human mis-.
cry, and the general emancipation Of mankind from
all that now degrades and oppresses We therefore
enter into this contest confident Of the result "9od
IS with us, and who they that can be against u.s."
Nor docs any country afford the field for the opsr.
ations Of genuine Christian patriotism ours does
Here Christianity has a fair onance to prove her
power Among US Christianity is not name, but
life; not form, but POWER; not an abstraction,
outa living reality; not creed, but vital prinoi.
Pile; creating society anew wherever it goes As DR..
Brownston observes in his recent able work on the
American Republic "Christianity Is constantly at
work, moulding American society In in own image
and likeness" 1t is power onr nation does feel,
butwe mustmake it q YET greater power. It's potency
must be felt everywhere. IT must be represented
BY a faithful pulpit, whore men Of God will cry
aloud AID spare not; where they will show the
PIE their sins, and rebuke her transgressions. Mon
who will herald forth in its purity, not as sickly
sentimentality "dsosrner Of the thoughts and
intents Of the heart" the glorious gospel Of the
pleased God The American pulpit