Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-04-21
Kew. L. 0. Brastow conducted the opening
exercises The sermon was by the pastor
Nh. sAFFoRp's SERMON.

Rev. L. o. Brastow conducted the opening
exercises. The sermon was by the pastor.
Nh. sAFFoRp's SERMON.
upside down.
The disgrace and woe thus denounced
against Jerusalem, for the sin of Judah. is
applicable also to our own nation. The
Great Republic has CHALLENGED the admira-
ton OF all other nations. We have written
our history in superlstives. We have boast
cd OF the greatness of the American people,
OF American intellect. American enterprise
and American success. We congratulate
ourselves on having solved the great prob
lens OF government. We celebrate this
year our Centenary and call all nations to
come and admire our greatness. Yet if the
almanac did not require us TO celebrate this
as our hundredth year, we might prefer
some other year, for such Il celebration
This is an inappropriate time for it. Could
We have held our celebration in the year OF
emancipation; or could we wait for it till
either our estimates of ourselves shall be
dispelled or be increased By large increase
of public and private virtue. 1t would be
better. Humility ought now to be an easy
virtue. We have no occasion to boast Of
our commercial prosperity. The almighty
dollar, which has been called our Idol,
has gone abroad and left only rags in its
place. Our political situation shows only the
lack OF craftsmanship. Our party strug-
giles show neither moral or mental dignity.
Our voters show little conceDtion Of their
great responsibility. One looking at the
character Of the crowds which hang around
the polls on election day, at one moment
fears the destruction of Democratic govern
ment, and IN the next, hopes for it. The
chief motive controlling the voters action
is often degrading to the freeman and per
ilous to the State. The majority make
themselves the mere tools OF political lead
ers. The prevailing methods Of party ae-
ton are mere devices for frustrating the
end they propose to aim at Treason to the
State Is eDIeined under the guise OF loyalty
to party. 1t Is not considered duty TO
select the test man for public Office; but il
Is enough If one Is put up. than whom
somebody else l. worse. The habit OF sink
ing the personal character Of the eandi-
date. In his representative character. is
ruinous. i man false 10 private morality
cannot be trusted TO exemplIfy public mo-
rslity The dishonest man viii not make
an honest officer The maxim that success
Is the greatest political virtue prevails with
corrupiing power. That our side may not
be beaten We submit 10 things that are low
and tricky. We forget that defeat in the
interest OF truth and right l. better taan
dishonest victory. Because they Tear de-
feat. public officers viii not execute the
laws, as shown II the efforts - secure the
enforcement Of the prohibt0ry law forget
ting that the winking al the violation Of
the law Is greater shame than defeat
Party spirit increases the corruption To
keep the party whole IN the quadrennisl
national contests. party lines are kept up II
the annual local elections against the good
o. the commonwealth and III violation % the
cOunses OF the Father OF the Republic Our
presidential election should be a lar and
friendly contest, and 10 the end that II NAV
be so, the more the national parties are
broken up and mixed in minor matters,
the better. 1t Is wrong 10 keep Ou- citl-
Zens In constant antagonlsm. because they
hold different views on the tariff The los
tering Of party spirit, for the SAKE Of par
ty. costs the Republic more than It can
afford TO pay.
Official Corruption l. largely due - the
conception Of public Office. a. bestowed ant
held for the profit Of the holder Through
this the nation : posts Of honor nave become
badges OF dishOnor and men Of high charse-
ter, under the influence Of THIS degrading
entrance ID public Office II Office j. not
trust, TO be borne in fear OF man and fear Of
God, then 1t belongs 70 the victor, a. &
spoil, and be may a vel have it, The
use Of otaeIa. power Tor private ends J. ar
other result OF this low view OF Office. We
hear continually Of officers charged with the
administration Of the law. who are N con-
nivsnce with crImlnzls-and sgch cases are
not unknown. II i said. in Of &city. Such
mora disaster i no light thing feeble
conscience Is nations curse. NJ amount
OF material wealth can supply moral def
ciencIes.
Lst Us apply the text T. ourselves To
courageous Souls, there l. az elcmeu; of
gisdness IN the disclosare- & sin. Our IA
uonal hOuse-cleaning- nov IN progress.
though al unpieasan; process. nay be made
the beginning OF purer national lite. In
order 10 that. however. II must be DO slight
process Ii must he thorough and 20
through tie land. TIE morality that shall
serve the Nation must be religious Inc
power must Issue trom the throne o. God
For that. let u pray.
At TIE BAPTIST CHURCH