The New York herald., 1876-12-04
PRQyIDENTIAL PREPARATIONS.


THEIR rSsTnuMENTALITY IN THE ESTABLISH
MESr OF THE gEPUBLIc-LEcrURE BY THE
REV. JOHN COTTON SMITH, d. D.
The Rev. John Cotton Smith, d. d., yesterday AFTER
delivered the first OF series OF lectures the
Church OF the Ascension, corner OF Tenth and
Filth avenue. The series Will comprise four lectures
entitled, Providcnral Preparations for the Republic
and the Fulnncnt oil Its Destiny" ..Chrstian Science
Literature and Art in the Repubc;" s.Thc Weakness
and Strength OF the Republic, and rhe Coming Gen.
tury OF the Republic
LECTURE.
In the Introduction OF the subject-mntter OF the Ice
ture given yesterday the speaker said that in these
times of public excitement and uncertainty II the
CHRISTIANS duty TO alay all Tears and inspire hope and
confidence in the ultimate triumph Of peace ana good
will. Nothing the lecturer thought, would do
this direction the consideration OF tho Provden-
tial preparations which could fail to recognize
for the funlment by this Republic OF grand mis-
sion. To do this inteligenty. ne continued We must
carry review back TO the emerging in civilization OF
those influences which have moulded our modern lie.
THE BEGINNING.
After the conversion of the old Roman Empire TO
Christianity combination OF influences. unprcce-
denteG in history to exist especially in the
Northern provinces OF the imperial dominion. The
quered the Romans, but had accepted the Roman laws
ana religion. These tribes, invincible in physical
strength possessing also the elements OF great nation
ailies were kindred with the they had subdued
They, like the Romans and Greeks. belonged to the
Aryan family OF mankind, which, from its cradle in
Central Asia, went forth 10 the conquest OF The world
II this restless. inqurng. progressive race aone
that makes HISTORY anu achieves the higher places IN
civization Take then, this hardy typo OF the Aryan
race give IL tho inherited Greek anu Roman idea OF
the individual liberty OF States. add the lifcgiving
power OF Christianity 10 It's race pecuarties, and we
have that combnat which has been most power al
IN modern history and which furnishes the basis oil
English civilization.
Take then the saxon stock IN England with its rich
Inheritance from antiquity, and the unparalleled ad-
vantage OF its insular position, add 10 II the fro and
enthusiasm OF the adventurous Danes pour IN upon II,
later a new infusion OF the wealthy Latin race, with
the glory OF cvar and then let II share In the great
revival OF learning, and the emancipation of religious
ideas. aud you have the clements OF the Ango-Saxon
colonsts o. America ! mus. not iail 10 mention in
this connection significant historical fact. We know,
through the interesting history OF Mr.. Motley,
the strong love OF freedom, and the in
domitabe perseverance OF the Dutch in the
face OF difficulty and peril Those pccuaritcs
tho Duich character entered into national lie
through the Dutch colonization OF New York You
will all that the Dutch settlers in the
east OF England were the last to submit TO william,
Conqueror the last 10 acquiesce IN Tho restoration
OF the Stuarts, and the first TO Welcome William,
Prince OF Orange as their King
In pursuing the thought OF inc Providential prcpa.
ratonS for thiS Kepupnc ono cannot ni 10 recognize
the significance oil physical characteristics OF the
country. Here followed graphic detail OF the terri
torlal, mineral and agricultural resources OF the
States
OUR TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
Another striking indication OF Provldentia agency Is
the concurrence Of circumstances which brought this
vast territory at last, under the supremacy Of the
Anglo-Saxon race There were early discoveries and
settlers along the New England coast by Northmen-
hardy sailors from Denmark, Norway and Iceland.
Italian voyagers the employment of other European
maritime States explored the coasts, but fallcd
make settlements Spaniarts and Frenchmen secured
possession OF large portions of the territory many
OF the most favorable points Tor further extension.
Ali these have disappeared and lett few traces OF
presence save in the romantic names ana legends
associated with their history The last hope OF French
colon ization, this continent perishcd when Napo-
Icon l. suddenly resolved to sell Louisiana to the
LOCAL MEDIATION THE DUTCH.
A still more remarkable TACT in colonial history
is found the Prov identia disposition OF differ
ont colonies. Plymouth Rock and Massachusetts Bay
colonies on tho one hand and Virginia on the other
all settled by Englshmcn, but by Englshmen Of
entirely different types OF character and habits OF
and life. Had these colonies brought closer
relations with each other by territorial contiguly Il
would been impossible to have avoided the break
ing out OF antagonsms which would have prevented
subsequent union. Such disastrous result was
averted by tho Intervention, between the two
colonial groups, OF the Dutch settlement OF
New York. This colony, with its own language
and its allegiance to n different foreign Power was,
for the being, foreign element which ofIectuaiy
separated the other colonies And when the
sy Tor such separation had ceased the Dutch element
was by the inevitable orcc OF circumstances absorbed
into the English colonial system OF the country. The
study Of this whole subject cannot fail TO impress
with the importance TO be attached to hat
OF events history. Here the lecturer diated on
tho rpeness OF the time At which the foundations OF
the Republic laid aud gave general Wow OF the
political conditions OF the several countries OF Europe
NJ that time.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion DR.. Smith said:-"The point wish TO
make in this whole matter is that there human
purnose and foresight contemplating the establishment
OF and free nation these shores; the dis
tribution of the Aryan IN Europe; the peculiar
circumstances which fostcred tho spirit Of liberty in
the Northern barbarians; the influence upon them
OF Christianity and Roman law; in the mingling
OF varied and powerful national elements upon English
soil; the rising up OF the spirit OF emigration,
especially in giand the relation OF the Reiorma-
ton the thought of the time; tho relation OF the
prevalent philosophy and political ideas; in the phys-
cal CHARACTERISTICS OF that part OF North America
which onsidoring; in the peculiar circum-
stances OF its cooniZalion In the facs which led
that delicate adjustment of State rights natural
prerogative which charactcrizcs our political syscm
the OF the great discoveries which have signal
izcd career and in the great democratic tendency
which laid its hrm grasp upon ai tho forces Of tho
progressive world"
CAEEGIrARDS or CTVTT,IZATTON