Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-09-05

Democracy is the golden rule of the
Great Teacher-"Do unto others as we
would that others should do unto you.
| Ye men of the Democratic party who
have stood 10y the patriot Douglas, learn
to overcome your political prejudices,
and seek political truth. Remember
words spoken in sincerity and conviction,
"There are but two parties in this crisis,
patriots and traitors l implore you,
then, in the name of the departed states
man, to scorn the specious bait with
which crafty politicians seek to beguile
YOU into all alliance with the secret ene-
mics who were so lately open foes.
The old iron-tongucd prophet which
rang out a joyous peal. when the act of
the First Congress made us a nation,
had upOn its sides the significant inscrip-
tion, "Proclaim Liberty throughout
the land, to all the inhabitants there
Off
The old bell has been silent for years.
Though universal liberty has been pro-
claimed, and the blot ofslavery removed
from the nations shield, it is not yet
secured. The bloody scenes of New Or
leans prove that we have still something
to do before the old bell can peal forth II
triumphant rejoicing over completed
/ work-thc achievement of national free
dom and unity.
Is there n man here so insensible to the
promptings of that ennobling spirit of
universal freedom which pervades Ameri-
can institutions, as to deny that his Gov
ernment is founded OH II deep and broad
antagonsm to the doctrine of the "di-
vine right of kings" of the power to OPP
press? AS Americans, we are firm be-
levers of this from our infancy. Then
how can an American citizen, of native
or foreign birth, hesitate for one moment
which path to pursue when the funda-
mental principles of his Government are
to be vindicated and perpetuated.
The Old World has long been govern
ed on the principle that the many owe
allegiance to the few, and must obey,
and not question:.
The New World said from the begin
ming: Governments were intended for
the good of the people, therefore they
mast express the wishes aud the will of
the majority. Failing in this. they must
give way to reform and the peoples
voice.
On part of this continent, at least,
the masses are the masters, and with the
blessing of God the same principle of
popular government shall, i'll due course
of time, become universal in this "the
promised land" of the oppressed of all
nations and peoples.
For this purpose were the men OF y orth
America given power to civilize and
govern the land to which Divine Prov
, idence had directed them-and to that
f Providence are they responsible for the
= fulfilment of their mission they were
told to ''proclam liberty throughout the
land to all the inhabitants thereof. " And
having proclaimed it in'7G, they must
/ maintain it i'm 'GG, and for all future
, time Mankindare amcnable to the laws,
: and law makers are answerable to God.
r In accordance with the expression OF
Divine will made manifest to Saul 10y
5 the voice of the prophet Samuel, that
. King went forth to slay the enemies of
the Lord.
, "Now go and smite Amalek, and
: utterly destroy all that they have, and
spare them not, but slay both man and
woman, infant and sucking, OK and
| sheep, camel and ass
"Snul went forth and smote AmalCk
hip and thigh; but spared Agag, and
brought Off much spoil that was good,
and thus did not utterly destroy.
"And Saul met Samuel and said unto
) him, blessed be thou OF the Lord. have
. performed the ecommandmcntso oftheLord
And Samuel said, What meaneth this
. blcating of the sheep in mine ears and
the lowing o; the oxen which hear?
| "And Saul said, They have spared the
, hest of the sheep and of The oxen to sac
) riiicc unto the Lori
"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord N
5 great delight in burnt offerings and sac.
, riiices rs in obcying the voice o theLord
= Behold, 10 obey is better than sacrifice,
: and to hcarken than the fat of rams
D For rebellion Is as the sin of witchclait
, and stubborncss is an niquity and idola-
/ try. Because thou hast rejected the
+ word of the Iiowl, He hath also reject
, ed thee from being King, and hath rent
1 the kingdom of Israel from thee this
= day, and given it to II neighhor OF thine
! that is better than thou"
h Who shall say in this assembly thai
| the hand of God was not visibly extend
q ed to lis creatures during the bitter days
g OF trial and suffering in our dark history
= so lately written?
V Who shall say that nations are not ~
q much the subjects OF His will now, rs
v they were in the days when "the hand
q writing on the wulln announced the ter
h rible verdict of the Almighty judge
II The loyal American people have grea
$ responsibility resting on them this day
r The principles of equality and univcr
n sal freedom cnunciatcd by their iOretath
ers as the foundations of their Govern
n ment, and attested by the white head
d boards of thousands upon thousands o
o liberty-loving men, who, mt the biddin!
It of the loyal North, went forth to die TO
IS the creed of their iathcrs--thcse prin
h cples and that creed are this day in dan
V ger olsubversion not rs falsely charged
Il upon loyal people, and their, If pos
Il sihle, more loyal representatives, but 10y
). Il man and his followers who have lonl
a ago determined that the only way to re
= store the Democratic party to power one,
y more Is to seize the Government, and in
- vlte the Southern rebels TO resume il
T, Washington what they could not con
y tinue in Richmond.