The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-28
He mas, however. already accomplished
enough 70 show wonderful buoyant qualities

The International Convention OF
Young Mems Christian Associa-
tions.
The interesting Convention now in session
at Richmond, the late capital Of the Southern
Confederacy, deserves attention on grounds
which it may not BE quite becoming ia .
secular journal to set forth and enforce. We
leave the most important aspects Of this occa-
sion to our religious contemporaries, IN
whose columns The discussion will be more
appropriate but we trust we do not over
step any limit Of decorum in the
attempt we shall make to point
out such incidental consequences as
have a secular bearing. The moral forces
which underlie national life are the true
sources Of civil order and economic prosper
ity, and they can never be LETT out Of view
by those who would form just ideas Of
national tendencies and prospects. In gov
eminent which is under the direct control OF
the people political action is an expression OF
their average character, and their institutions
can never work well in the absence OF
high standard Of private morals. NO
elaborate machinery for checking pub
lie frauds, no civil service rules, no
exposures Of corrupt rings, no restriction
of the functions of government, no mutual
vigilance of political parties can afford
guarantee against the abuse OF public trusts,
unless the foundations of integrity are securely
laid in private morals. The only hope OF the
nation in the present alarming degeneracy OF
official life lies in efforts made entirely out
side Of political action and if general morality
cannot be strengthened in its sources we are
destined to 60 the way of all former repub-
lies All true patriots should, therefore, take
deep interest in every movement which tends
to noursh virtue and to discredit Carlyles
cynical definition Of modern society tnat 1t
is anarchy plus the constable" The
great success within the last ten years OF the
widespread associations whose annual Con-
yention is held this year at Richmond is one
Of the most encouraging signs Of the times.
Their mere statistics deserve prominence, but
their social and moral bearing on our national
life challenge the thoughtful reflection OF all
well-w shers of their country.
The holding Of this annual Convention at
Richmond for the first time since the begin
ming Of the civil war suggests line OF remark
to which public feeling should readily respond.
Nothing is more to be desired in the interest
Of national unity than cordial renewal OF
the bonds Of national sympathy between
the South and the North. The merely politi-
cal tie must be comparatively feeble for at
least one generation, because the South re-
sumed its place in the Union, not by choice,
but by force. Memories Of the gallant
dead are too fresh and too deeply cherished for
the political bond to be regarded, during the
lifetime Of the combatants as free from the
idea Of forced submission on the part Of the
South and pride Of conquest on the part Of the
North The Union can be recemented
only by an appeal to sentiments which
have no relation to the recent fratri-
cidal strife. The patriotic recollections
and common pride in the deeds Of our fore
fathers Of the Revolution, which will be re-
vived BY the approaching celebration Of the
hundredth anniversary Of our independence,
is a ground on which Northern and Southern
citizens can stand without any jar or discord,
and for this reason it is wise TO make the
most OF so opportune an occasion. But as
bond OF national unity even the memories OF
our glorious Revolution rank below renewal
Of the warm religious sympathies which ex-
isted in latter days. In the last speech
of Mr.. Calhoun, made in the Sen
ate twenty-five years ago, when that
AGED and emaciated statesman stood on the
brink Of the grave "a speech which was read for
nm by friend because he was too feeble to
deliver it). he dilated, with pathos which was
all tho more touching from the strict logic Of
his habitual uttennces, on the gradual disso-
linton of the ties which bound the Union to-
qether. In that prophetic and affecting
speech Mr Calhoun dwelt with deep feeling
on the sundering of the great religious or
carnations, which foreboded q dissolution of
the Union ITSELF lie was a statesman Of sim
gular elevation and deep insight, who had
inst appreciation of the force OF moral
causes in their influence on politi-
cal action In the foreboding speech
n which we allude MIR. Calhoun fsferred in
detail to the swapping, one by one, Of the re-
l5lous ties De1Nech 'ie ''o 49, 80 -e
by the great schism in the various churches
on the slavery question, which in his judg-
ment weakened the Union by fatal alena-
ton Of feeling that left it to rest on merely
political basis, no longer strengthened by
moral sympathy. Mems religious feelings
strike their roots very deep, and when most OF
the great religious denominations we're
split in twain by geographical
line that foreseeing statesman had correct
appreciation Of the political result cordial
restoration Of the Union requires a renewal Of
the sundcred religious ties, and the holding Of
this Convention in Richmond is of national
importance as tending to SO desirable q result.
There is necessity for strengthening every
- ..linh 90 hind the lately disanrarnd