Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-12-04

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to hi. own. His political life bears ex-
aminatloni theirs appears best when II
Is covered.
But, my friends, this ought not so to
be. Henry Wilson's life ought not to
shine with such brilliancy because OF the
shade of corruption which oyerhangs so
many Of his associates.
1t has been Justly said, "0ur nation
owes it, existence, its constitution, its
early union, Its stability, its progress, and
its prosperity, under the Divine Provi-
dcnve, TO the great, wise and good men,
who built our ship of State and stood at
its helm in the straits and among the
shoals and quicksands through which It
sailed into the open sea-" And a ship so
good, so valuable, so worthy of preser-
walton and transmission demands men
who have heired, and who will improve the
noble talents and the exalted virtues of
worthy predecessors. The wise, the pru-
dent, the best men of our country see 1t,
and have determined that so 1t shall be.
They know, not because another has said
it, but another, cognizant of facts, has
been compelled to speak their sentiments
in saying that corrupt men yitiate,
mean men debqse, dishonest men per-
vert, incompetent men neutraliZe the best
measures, if such measures be even pos
sible, except as originated, directed, ae-
tualized by the best men,"
Bad men, and incompetent men are
producing chaos and complexity, and the
great need, one great need of the times, is
men who shall snatch from eternal per-
ishing the measures that have created,
saved, and exalted our natisn, men of
profound wisdom and of answering in
tcgrity, who shall crvstallize our chaos,
disentangle the perplexities of our situa-
ton, Tetrench the spoils of office, and cs-
tablish through the entire hierarchy of
place and trust, honesty and competency,
not partizan zeal and efficiency, as the
essential qualifications.
Government is of Divine origin, and He
who is King Eternal has raised up men 70
establish this nation. If, then, we would
honor him, and show an appreciation of
his blessing, if we would bear praise to
the name of our beloved Vice President,
let us become worthy of him, and with
| high resolve and earnest endeavor, keep
his virtues alive in the legislative halls of
our country, compelling men to learn that
a government worthy of the best talent
and the purest heart has no place for in
competent men and defiled hearts.
II.
The second thought which l select is
this Every place has persons containing
the germs Of qualities which are sterling
and may become capable Of filling places
of honor in our country.
Too often weincline to think that men
who haye acquired positions which are
honorable, are of q sort of superior race
that they live on plane at so great re.
move from the mass as to make it impos.
sible for many to reach that rank. II
would seem that the observations of many
might correct this misrepresentation, es.
pecially when so many of inferior talent
and immoral conduct succeed in getting
themselves where they have no right to be
A man who is really worthy of rank is
noble, and his ability and character to bt
admired, consequently we are prone tC
say that there are few such.
But You will remember that on GER
tain occasion one of old said: "Lord they
have killed thy prophets, and diggeC
down thine affairs; and I AM left alone
and they seek my life. But what saitl
the answer of God unto him? l have re
served to myself seven thousand men who
have not bowed the knee TO the image O.
Baal." "Even so, said the apostle, sat
this time also there is a remnant accord
ing to the election Of grace"
II any are disposed to say they who
have gone before are superior to those
who come after, let me follow the Ian
guage of Paul, and say, not so; for Goo
has ever a reserved force Of chose who
equal in talents and opportunities any
who have preceded. For every man who
comes to the surface, worthy of rank
there are seven Thousand hidden ones
just aS<sempetent, just as worthy.
TheWTare men who seem to have
name and fame ready made, to be Sc
by angel hands upon their fair brow OF
their entrance into the world. Back gen
Grafton by generation their family has
combined physical, mental, and spiritua
excellencies, and the newborn child i.
placed where it comes in contact with, anC
is moulded by pure influences, the wis,
training of our parents, and the exampl,
Of good and pious teachers. But will
far the major part of men the experience
is very different. And few are sur
rounded by forces which, instead of be
ing helpful are only obstructive. Sucl
was the case of our late Vice President
He was born in a house that promised
littlc-of parents that promised less. II,
rose from the lowest depths of povert,
and amid circumstances which doubtless
have discouraged many pror.isin boz
as to native talent. He knew what it wa,
to ask for bread when there was none il
his fathers house to give him. He knew
what it was to struggle for position. Blu
thank God, lie struggled and he rose
The spirit that was in him would. no
yield to the discouragements that sur
rounded him. And he ordered his lif
according to principles that are eternal
and eternally good. without reputatio,
he made character that shone-not be
cause Of rank, but IN rank
Every place has its Henry, Wilson's
"Nature has not grown niggardly of he
noblest births; God of his best gifts.
The men of to-day are equal in ability tt
the men that hare been. The children
that are born to-day are equal to any tina
have ever been horn, and some of then
will shine in the future.
Up, out of homes that furnish all tina
| is helpful to the moral forces that resid,
in the child,-up from the homes that ap
pear almos. neutral in their example anC
in their infiuence,-ay, and up, out o
homes of want, squalid with poverty
these children will come,-despite all tina
would hinder them---and they will aspir,
to and reach places of honor, or becaus,
of their competency and purity they will
be taken by their fellow countrymen anC
made to serve them because they ca,
serve, and while serving magnify the of
! flee and exalt the nation.
God is Being who distributes the bes
of gifts profusely-nOt Suarin0ly III