New-York tribune., 1876-12-25
sweet mnsters 0; grace and gospel tenderness evss
the 1eld OF battle.

THE PAST AND FUTURE OF THE REPUBTr
Tas eep DR. John Cotton smith at ne Church Of .h>
(roteStam Eptscopdp s
| The Rev. John Cotton Smith, ID. D., delive,,a
the fourth lecture in the course upon The Pas a..
Future OF the Republic" the Church OF the Ascens
Fifthave. and Tenthst, yesterday afternoon The ur
ject of this lecture was Political Corruption and ps
strife Duty Of Christian Men" After introduss.
IN which he argued that the questions Of the day sr -
vital Importance to Christian men as Christians and TIA.
religion. which alone had purified society could aoa
keep IL pure, DR.. Smith spoke mainly as follows:
It Is tho universal tendency OF institutions TO bes
corrupt-much than it is with individuals I,
an absolute monarchy corruption peryades every branch
republics the evil IN mems natures Is subject es,
restraint IL Is true there cause Tor unsoundness
they may secure Office but the instinct OF selfprcaer
tlon steps in TO make things right whenever the cond
seryatve forces OF sooiey set In motion. Cvil wa,
may possibly result, but out OF its trials the naioa
begins It's course again with renewed life and yigor 4
close contest has Just taken place. Many people Ara
alarmed as to tho stability Of the Republic Now 6ecaass
careful and wise dealing with the subject II is well q
consider in broad and unpartIsan way, Of Tia
One OF these is the great extent to which the rist
suffrage has been granted t Is true that 1t has not beeR
extended TO women TO foreigners who have not resided
five years in the country. nor to minors, but in the
acccptation OF the word 1t may be said to 30
to tho general welfare OF the country but at present
IL bas condnced 10 IFS dernOraIizatlo We nlist moi
however be disqeted by the imperfect working Of un
veSsal suffrage, but keep In view the ultimate good
will accomplish The state Of the enfranchsed blacks at
the South ought to ea for ORGANIZED effort on the part Of
state Of things % contend against and requires earnest
Christian e0t to Sn m g9en r '9e &
the present order Of things the condition OF the ne
will improve Each party will ind u 10 as own advsn-
tge TO make them objects OF regard ard care ana To con-
cliate them.
Anotncr great evil against which the country has
nj
ports be thing while It is another Whether Il
wise step to create paper currency III time OF WaF vii
a great many evils IL stimulates reckless speculation
aud enterprises OF questionable character II corupts
patronage and those who hold Office must be induced
sustain them. Thus the youth of our country
gained through lack OF principle Another cause for or
troubles lies In present political system, by which
turmoil and striVhs for once is Wretched eonGion q
affairs, not only because II disturbs the qnietest citizen
In the calm pursuit O business but because the Christian
mission of the Republic is imperied continually II go
look back upon history we will find that our coadL
olden time. Take, for instance the period IN
which Lord Bacon lived. In those days IL was con-
from those upon whose causes they in Judgment Or
what could be degraded than Walpoles adnnis!Fa
tion And late the time OF Washington, whose
personal worth the whole world admres what depth Of
perbdy do find in the governmental administration
grade OF political deprayty than Is possible IN this
ghtened age. At this time each party is subjected
tDe HRut5t JtSts tudt OIc up
other IL the standard by which II must live iJseh and
thus out Of the misery VI all this party strife viii
eventually great good to the country for the party lead
ers although they may not have that aim, educating
the people 10 require OF candidates for Office than
ever bcIre see great hope for the future and DO not @
PAIR Of the Republic. Ilinow not what method can be en-
ployed, but there Is certainly some lneans BY which
can be legally decided which candidate for the Pres-
dency has been elected. No mere techncalty should
decide tho question: and force should not be thought Of
for a moment What will cOnduce more TO right and
equitable settlement Of this question 10 the calm aud
preudleed view OF the matter which every thinking man
5hoLd take. How often two men meet who diinet-
cally opposed IN the ideas they hold on political sub
ieets. Zach one thinks he Is absolutely right and bis
Opponent Just as far wrong Now this cannot be true.
moments thought shows plainly how Necessary II 20
cultivate that sweet reasOnableness which Is 50 con-
sp.ouOus Ia the character OF Christ