Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-12-02

rally to it. And such was the effect
that when the first Congress met, the
Representatives of three millions oi
people, before they entered upon the
business for which they were con-
vened, called a Christian Minister and
had the Scriptures read and the Di-
vine blessing invoked upon their de-
liberatiOns.
God was preparing the way for q
National existence, elevated in religi-
Gus sentiment. equal rights to every
one, and a dignifed position in soci-
ETY. for every well-behaved man and
woman, whether rich or poor. Many
of the signers of the Declaration Of In
dependence were men whose hands
held the plow, showed the plane OF
welded the hammer. The govern
ment they framed and defended had
its very foundation in the doctrine OF
equal rights and the dignity OF labor.
No poor laboring man, though he digs
in the ditch for living, need feel
thereby disgraced in the estimation OF
any true-hearted American.
All honor to Beecher, Chaplin, and
Anna Dickinson, who, through their
mighty eloquence, have defended the
labOring classes Of this country. In
derision it was said of our late and
much lamented Lincoln, that he had
been rail-splitter, but the true Amer
lean spirit gloried in having such q
man at the head of government. Our
Union army was composed mainly OF
brave men who rushed from their
fields of toll to defend the old flag and
the honor that belongs to the Occupa-
tiOns they left. Our President elect
came out from his secluded home up
on the farm, and with the hand that
once held the plow, grasped the
sword and led our army to victory.
And among our ablest statesmen and
truest patriots of to-day are those who
have come from rough fields and
shops. s.-
From men who have n practical ex-
perience in hard work, or those who
have a sympathy with it, we need feel
no danger of oppression or centraliza-
ton of power ia the government.
But men are to be feared as tyrants
who boast of chivalry in idleness
while slaves have done their work for
them. The man, North or South,
who thinks that slavery ought to have
been perpetuated, and thereby, as an
unavoidable consequence, not only de-
grade the black man but also the
white who labors by his side, is at
war with our American genius, and
violates the design of our fore-fathers,
who laid the foundation of our gov
ernment in intelligence, freedom and
industry, to which eUen sympathy
with slavery must forever stand op-
posed. Human liberty, true bible re-
ligion, intelligence and industry all
blended together is the divine ideal
of a nation. No nation can have the
Of God and gain a full
prosperity where a ruling aristocracy
makes a wide distinction between one
portion of its citizens as respectable
lords, and the rest held in the light Of
despised peasants and mean servants.
Without speedy reform England
has reached the zenith of her glory,
and why? We answer because the
farmer is made to cringe under the
tyranny of his landlord, the mechanic
a mere dupe to the merchant prince,
or slave to the politician. The sub
stance of the poor man is eaten up to
support an aristocratic government
snd a national church.
The protestant reformation was the
charter of emanRipated laborers, as
well as the signal of ecclesiastical reYo-
luton. Martin Luther himself came
forth from a miners cabin TO repre-
sent the working classes before courts
and councils, became afterward as
much the protector of independent In
dustry as he was the champion OF u
free church. Through all the COM
cities of northern Europe,
over all its titled fields, and in its
workshops, a new and
mighty impulse was felt, waking the
toilsman to a nobler style of life,
stirring in him higher order of pur-
poses, opening a new reason for self
and stimulating him by lofti-
ar motives.
The design of God is that labor shall
give moral precept to man for the reg
1latiOn of his habits, thus saving him
from vices that would have sapped his
strength, and from follies that would
have prevented him from sober appli-
cation and piety. 1t appeals to our
nObler ambition by offering US the
prize Of an esteemed and honored sta
ion in society. 1t has allowed US to
expect rewards which a capricious
tyranny and slave-holding oligarchy
ought TO be ashamed that it ever tried
o take away. The Supreme Ruler
designs that it shall gather around US
many happy facilities, following US
20 our tiresides, there refreshing and
nvigOrating our whole nature by the
blessed friendships, the thousand sat
sfactions, and the rational joys that
,luster around the home Of honest
activity. The great Creator makes no
either, between men be-
,ause Of the different callings which
hey may follow, but the rectitude of
/ mans conscience, the fairness Of his |
iealings, the benevolence of his soul. !
)f these inward traits Christianity
axes direct cogniZance, and here !
lone opens the sphere wherein one
,alling differs from another. Here
badges lose their significance, names |
ease to mark realities. Here then !
We see the relation Christianity and !
National prosperity bear to labor, as |
heir great prompter and guardian, |
heir fostering mother and divine |
As soon as Christ was per-
nitted to come near the laborer it was |
that he was brought up |
lnder the roof of carpenter, and |
proves in this day, as in the begin |
ling, that the common people hear |
linn gladly. The Gospel proclaims |
liberty TO the captives, liberty for soul |
nd body; and if equal rights and an |
quail opportunity TO become wealthy |
nd respectable among men is polite |
i doctrine, then say let religion and |
jOlitics go together forever. Christ
lears the prayer of the poorest wretch
II our fallen race, and elevates him to |
N heirship with himself; and shall |
he Christian Ministry and the Chris
ian Church keep silence while haugh-
V tyrants would trample under foot |
hose whom God hath called his own? |
SOl for God will curse the church /
hat is guilty of such impiety, and q
that will oppose the rule
md authority OF God must perish. |
Let us forever recognize a divine
light in our Stars and Stripes protect
ng us in the pursuit of life, liberty, |
nd happiness for all. II the black /
nan violates the law let him suffer its /
penalties as other men, but if he does
veil let him enjoy all the privileges
md immunities that flow from the |
gospel, and the protection which our
'roud flag guarantees to every Amer
can citizen.
With the above idea Of American
we commenced our Na-
iOnal career, and in brief period we
lave increased from three millions to
hirty-one millions of people. And
uch was the progress We made that
many who saw the infant republic