The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-10-26

tor STATE Rights Democrat ;

4
Some thoughts under this caption may
be Of intrrest to your readers. We hope
at least to elicit the attention of some oi
our gifted writers for an ADLER exposition
than We can possibly give. We have DO.
ticed divers causes alleged as the origin
of the late war and its consequences. The
Republican party claim that secession, OF
slavery, or the Democrats, or something
else, or all combined, produced tho war;
while the Democratic party blame the
Republicans and charge them with the
responsibility. There exists now, and
ever will, perhaps, this diversity Of opin-
ion. We do not propose to settle il nov.
nor declare who is right, but in common
with the rest, will assign another, or one
great cause that led the nation into the
vortex Of civil war. In doing so We find
no more appropriate mannOr OF term of
designation than the nations wickedposs,
or " WickedLess in high places" Pre-
vioqs to the war, tor several years, the
people of the United States enjoyed de-
gree of prosperity unparalleled IN the
annals OF history. Such blessing could
not be endured in hpmbleness by the
American people. It was in the lap Of
prosperity we folded our arms and slum-
bered into all the vices and sins incident
to humanity. The great calamity which
afflicted the nation at tie time was her
profigate and wicked rulers; and to this
day the people have ample room to repent
for voting into power so many who were
characterized by every species of vice and
immortality. The City of Washington,
where the greatest and best of mankind
should be-where should be the brightest
display of intelligence, wisdom aud virtue
the pride of every American citizen /;
but, alas how often have we seen it too
truthfully portrayed as the Babylon of sin
and wickednessi A yiTtuous people can
scarcely find language adequate to express
their indignation and utter adherence of
those who have SO unworthiIy presided in
the chief citadel Of the nation. While
some were distinguished for their ability
and worthiness, the prcponderance of the
many checked their influence and estab-
lished an ignoble reputation for the seat
of Government. Other localities of less
note were coDtaminated ia the same way
IF nation OF republic can prosper
amidst its sins, then shall we observe the
fate of Jerusalem, and forget Sodom and
Gomorrah. Though tour righteousness
may exceed theirs" what consolation shall
we derive from tho downfall of those
Kingdoms and empires recorded by the
historian, "fallen by their own idolatry,
vices and wickeduess"
It was truly said, HVirtue alone is hap
piness below" and without this principle
in man, or in the halls of Congress, or in
the Parliament of Britain, or in the char
acters of rulers everywhere, none can be
happy-po government can long endure
It is true, thousands go on in the face Of
this fact, until their doom is inscribed
like Belshazzar of old, Been weighed
and found wanting" Let it not be writ
ten of US. Our calamities and misfor-
tunes, let us hope, were only chastenings
to save us from ruin. Now is the time
for repentance and reformation. Tho
Government is now passing the most fear
ful period in her history. We believe