, 1872-12-26
Thanksgiving Sermon.
BY REV. THEODORE CIowL.

A sermon preached on Thanksgiving
Day, in this city. to union ccngrega-
cation, was requested for publication by
unanimous resolution of the audience,
and brought to US for insertion in the
DISPATCH. 1t is too long for our limit
ed space, but heartily endorsing its SEN
timents ond spirit, We have retained it
IN oHr possession In the hope that we
might make room for comprehensive
review of its positions. Even this we
find impracticable, and must be content
with brief reference to a few practical
points of public interest.
After an elaborate review of the
events of the past year. relating to our
| industrial prosperity; the preacher pro-
ceeds to al with our political situation,
showing much cadse for graduation in
the manifest improvement in political
morals, as exhibited in the municipal
elections ia etr ehief Giles, where par
ty has been subordinated to public in
terests, and the general tendency to the
suppression Of vice, RIGHTEOUSNESS and
lawlessness. He says:
again, there is cause for gratitude in
the locsening of old party fetters. | do
not speak for any political party, but 1
think we all must welcome the day of
release of the American people from
service i'll either of the great political
organizations which for the past twenty
years have been waging war. However
much we may differ as to the questions
OF by-gone years, there is no longer any
reason for presenting them again as po-
litical issues. The people of the United
States have given their answer most
emphatically. 1t is folly or madness to
expect any change in public sentim ent
which will justify the presenting of
these issues in any form to our people.
Henceforth let other questions receive
eur attention. We are ready for anoth-
er capter in the history Of progress.
Again:
Now we can devote our energies and
consecrate our ballots to securing the
reform of abuses, to the developement
of our resources. to the arts of peace,
the improvement of our methods of gov
ernment, and the reformation of society.
Heaceforth it is to be hoped that men S
records will be reviewed not so much to
ascertain whether they have been Re-
pnbhcans or Democrats. Wings or Know
Nothlngs, as to ascei tain whether they
are honest, trustworthy, moral, possess
ed of go, d judgment, and whether they
are true friends Of humanity and Justice
and truth. Let US not seek to keen
fresh the old line of separation Men
have been jostled to and fro over it, ii
has been trampled and trodden in the
commerce of the opposing parties and
in new adjustments of positions, and in
fact disappearing. Let it 60 Thanks
for new departures from cid PARTIES
And again:
Now, while we render thanks that the
free will of the people has prevailed, lie,
us not forget that fidelity to our flee in
stitutions demands that we should, il
possible. discover and punish according
to the laws, and brand with infamy, all
officers and candidates for Office, and
voters. who have been participants in
any way in bribery and fraud. Set
aside forever the officer or candidate for
Office who has given or offered bribe.
Let his name be eraced forever from the
rc II of public favor. Let his memory
rot. He has been a traitor to our Re
public. He is worse traitor than the
man who has openly carried the sword
or musket in honorable warfare against
us. There is no treason so infamous as
that which strikes covertly and treach-
erously at the foundations of our gov
ernment. Let candidate for Office
muster his followers. let him arm them
with muskets and swords, let hi / open
ly advance to the qallot box,- let him by
force put himself in Office if he can; that
would be more honorable than to thrust
himself on the people by the votes of
hired mercenaries. Disfranchise the
citizen who sells his vote, but disfran-
chise also the man whe buys. Go out
from the house of thanks giving deter
mined to do your duty as citizens, and
God Will bless you and your country.
This is but nieager report of ser
mon which would fill a page of four DAT
| ", but is much as our space will allow.