New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-12-01
TIE NATIONS. FREEDOM SAFE.

The Rec. H. W. Beotcs at Al Souls church (CHtar'dn)
The Rev. DR.. II. w. Bellows, at All Souls
Church, at Fourth-ave and Twenteth-st, yesterday,
preached from Psalms xxxiv l.; 81 will bessthe Lord
at all times His praise shah continually be IN my
mouthD With reference to the political situation he
spoke In substance as follows:
II may not at first thought cause for thanks that
in this centennial year country should be called upon
TO settle amid doubt and suspense, that which has ag
tated at different periods in their history all the nations
of the world But find in this reason for graft
tude II vas glorious thing for the country that upon
II was forced in the strength and yigOr OF its youth the
question OF freedom slavery, and thank God that
lived and took citizens share and part In that great
struggle thank God that the people or new,
young country have TO decide serious questions when
vii not let them sleep in ease forgetting the response
hilities of national life Bat let those OF either party
reflect thar uv effort on their part 10 kndle on fan the
flames OF civil strife viii be visited upon thelf own heads
t1b The slft and consuming wrath Of a great people.
I do not expect sectional or Earty violence IL was
tried in similar emergency at the eecuon 0l Lhcvln
aud no one fOrgets what the result was The country
hos to-day I'm both parties statesmen who prefer peace
and quiet to the triumph OF telf pOnuca preferences
Trt tt h not mo party managers that rely rely
under God upOn the thinking power, the soundneSs the
moral spoec of the people at large This nation Is at the
NV acme nj its strength and vgor This shown
perhaps m political life, but this Is because me peo-
pie are engaged in otner ana What 10 tHeh seh noIc
tnportant pursuits They are building homes hey are
sfrrnghenng the bonds OF pure social life, they are APP
propratin 10 themselves the fruits OF clvlZatcn You
an know that t only by Che ncessant cry or ne"sla-
nars bv the efforts of political socatons that the peo-
rlp m ordinary times be induced 10 throw their votes
iut even as a political agency, mans life and acts are
more iulueutia than ms vote Are we 70 believe that
the Quiet tacit people, who take no acnve part IN
uoIti * have nc influence in mOldlng the pOtleal
desrues Of their country The public conscience Is
formed and trained by The honest unpfeI neIa
civil lie OF quiet These persons DO not perhaps
conpeEeud or admire the political machinery nat hey
are M pOing TO the nation broken up Their purpose
h TO maiatan ana vindcae Hs existence. IN solemn
cygecies we rely The grave aud s2lid sense
of the great middle class, the popular center te htNe
American stuff the hOme-icd, the Bible taught HOW
small ror0n Of our people who fought our battles
were ever heard political clubs or at the cencfs OF
Marty gctiyltyl But when their country needed them
tbev svarled from their homes, and, 10! they were
heroes 80 now the calm confluence OF the people. or
this rc rrd this power behind the throne, holds the
balanro OF national interests IN It's pure hands.
feel that less and less 10 lcel the present
strain The AGITATION IL much nearer the surface than
gorne would think IL kept up ny professional
nartisaus by those newspapers which trafc IN excite
inent aud sensation This struggle IS strong IA thc eNl-
dcnces " srfcOntrOl and Of the SAFETY OF our hslt-
6ors m TINS Far gives us reason FOR still greater CONT
dcncc in tile great principle of liberty aud IL the hroad
hounds OF suffrage. We throw our diseases 10 me
surface and suffer them 20 settle upon te Vlas:
Lei ms then not doubt the safety OF our beSnaut ana
40 ssrpl freedom.