The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1867-05-16

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understand the magnitude OF the revolution
aud the imminence OF our dangers; and that
you might the better bear my exhortation
b hope and courage and activity. The
highest virtue is not to despair Of the Re-
public.
j sympathize with every progressive
Increment in the interest of humanity.
will not blindly cling to the prejudices or
traditions Of the past when they stand in
the way Of useful reform. will not in
any sanse, ,.he conservative Of error, or reject
truth because Of preposseRsion, or yield my
eredence to the dogma that the limit of hu.
man progress has been attained Govern.
ments and nations are purified in the fires
OfrevOlution. They take shape, and sym
netry, and strength from the collision OF
mighty forces, even rs the molten iron from
the anvil and the trip-hammer. Out OF the
storm, and the tempest, and the flood, arch
ca the rainbow of promise and OF hope.
Alas that it must be so ..
These revolutions Of society and govern.
ment spring out Of high mental and moral
exaitation-out of an enthusiasm for pro.
g:esS which will hesitate at no effort. and
shrink from no experiment lfman were
capable Of sustaining this passion and this
activity, and Of attaining absolute truth
without an alloy OF error, then, indeed,
would he cease to be man and become like
unto God This can not be. The reaction
must strike of the errors which have nc
cumulated on the progress of revolution; +;
and this, too, like revolution, may strike too
close and cut too deep .H
The reaction will surely come All his
tory, all philosophy declare it. 1t has come
tO.all other nations; it will come to us. 1t
has come, sometimes, clothed in the white
robe of pence, sometimes with its garments
dyed in blood In every country there has
been party of power, and party against
IT, In every country there have been men
who loved liberty as they loved virtue, and
honor, and truth; men who would avenge
its wrongs, even as they would protect the
vi rtue of the wife Of their BOSOM or the
honor of the mother who bore them, Lib
erty inspires the soul. Its sacred fires for
ever burn amid its apostles and defenders.
When peaceful means are exausted it
draws the sword. Let its enemies, then be-
ware, whether they sit to single solitude on
athrone, or crowd the market places. SO
will.it be with us. ....
Our people desire to be wise and yirtuOus.
Our country is young and rich, and strong
Experience will not teach its painful lessons
in, vain. The splendid recollectiOns Of the
past have not entirely passed away. Its
vestiges are not all buried in the ruin Of
the present The hopes of the future are
bright in the reflection of it expiring glories
They will accelerate the counter-reyClution.
Let us diligently prepare the way, 1t is
wisdom to accep! accomplished facts It is
folly to abandon correct principles in the
moment Of their adversely. Principles are
eternal institutions of government are but
instrumental ities--facts vary as the days
succeed each other and seem to change al
the biding of the tickle moon. Let us hold
fast to principles, let us modify institutions
lot us recognize the changing phases Of facts
II is the office of wise men to adopt just
principles OF government by the aid of fit in
situations to every condition of affairs Lib
berty is the great good. Confederation il
to be sought only because it has aided tC
maintain it. Capitalization is to be avoid
ed only because it has always destroyed it
But at last, liberty is the life, the soul, anC
government is the form, the body through
which it is developed.
Let US then, gentlemen, look at the pas
only that we may select what is good ant
avoid what is evil, that We may from its ez
perience catch the inspiration wise pre-
gress, that we may so school our hearts wi Il
the Lessons of moderation and truth tina
patriotism AMI wisdom may guide tn
courses of the inevitable Reaction, and lea,
US back from the perils of centralize
imperialism, to the safety of confederation
founded, supported and restrained by tn
checks aud balances of wise Constitution
Thus, if we can not restore the Farmer RI
public, we can at least regain the blessing
ofliberty regulated by law, and of la'
enacted and maintained by the spirit Of vii
tuOus liberty.