National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-12-02
DIR. Newman.


The Metropolitan NJ. E. church, although the
day was exceedingly stormy, was crowded on
Thanksgiving day to hear DR.. Newman discourse
upon the "Perils and Hopes Of our Nation" The
music by Prof. ]. W. Parker, organist, was one
Of the leading features of the occasion. The pro-
gramme consisted Of Procession March," by
ScOtsOn Clark; "Impromptu National Airs;'
''Grand March, from Tannhauser. The Presi-
dent, Mrs. Grant, and their daughter, Mrs. Sar-
toris, large number of Senators and many mem
bcTs OF Congress were present.
The Doctor took his text from Proverbs xiv:s4
righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a
reproach to any people," He said: Once more,
and for the eighth time, the same honored head
Of this great nation has called us to our temples
of piety and to our affairs of devotion to render
thanks giving to Almighty God for our personal
domestic and national blessings. In the opinion
of some the present is an occasion for humiliation
fasting and prayer hut to the careful observer Of
our conditions and Surroundings 1t is suggestive
of profound heartfelt gratitude to him who /.
the aathGT Of every good and perfect gift. 1t is
true the year that eds to-day has been one Of
vicissitudes. The lahorer has felt the grip OF
poverty the capitalist has realized the instability
Of wealth, the Opulent has been compelled to
practice economy. With the incoming of our
Centennial came hard times, which all have felt;
yet the outlook Of to-day is not without hope
gratitude:
/. The announcement Of 1876 was far more
promising than the beginning of IT76. Our faith
ers begun their century with war for independ-
ence, 10 support which they incurred heavy imam
brighter future than they did. yet how superior
is our condition compared TO theirs. Our freedom
Is sublime fact; our prosperity is on a firm found
alton. They began the century in poverty: we
ended it in wealth. And if the end of the past
century was in such bold contrast with its begin
ming, how much holder will be the contrast be-
tween 1876 and 1876. We Of to-day feel the press
ure Of depressed finances: the citizens Of this
great republic hundred years hence will be rich
have hull aHrN arfa
2 1t is true that trade has suffered temporary
depression, and that an epidemic has here and
there touched our Southern States, but famine
has not wasted US at MONDAY, nor has pestilence
walked among us in darkness.
3. And if we contrast our financial and political
condition with that of all other nations we can
not but bless with renewed and deeper gratitude
the bountful giver of all mereies for the dis
tinguished favors he has conferred upon US.
OUR FERRIS.
But while we have been graclously preserved
from war, famine and pestilence, yet we have pro-
found reasons to review the past, survey the
present and contemplate the future in view OF
the perils that threaten and the hopes that
cheer US on. One fact confronts us-that no form
Of government can save a vicious people from ir-
retrievable ruin. 1t is righteousness and that
alone that "exalteth q nation.n Was Greece
purer under the wise Scion than under the
bloody DraeO?
The Doctor traced the evils arising from the
love Of luxury, and showed conclusyely that 1t
was potent agency in the destruction of nations,
illustrating his proposition by quotations from
history.
LOVE OF WEALTH.
Next to our love of luxury is our love of wealth
Wealth has power to control men, a power to
indulge in ease and pleasure. The passion for
wealth absOrbs the attention and energies of the
citizen TO the exclusion Of deep interest in the
welfare Of the nation. A passion for wealth
leads TO entertainments, frauds and corruptions,
and men speculate with a nations finances as
gamblers do with dice
LOVE OF POWER.
But there is another unity to be added to make
the trinity of our national perils. The love of
power is an element of danger no less than the
love Of luxury and the love of wealth. The Doc
tor here referred TO Cincinnatus and Washington,
who had left their avocatisns in response to their
ceuntry's call. To be President is greater than
TO be an hereditary King; but to seek that office
with unusual anxiety" and improper means is
unworthy Of the aspirant.
OUR HOPES.
What are our hopes? All the facts OF our his
tory warrant the conclusion that God had
special purpose in creating us a people. and that
purpose is not yet accomplished. It is not too
much to claim special Providential mission for
this great Republic, and the scope and purpose
ofthat mission is to exillt in lividual man and
protect him in all his natural rights by all the
sanctions Of constitutional and statutory la ", and
whether he resides in New York or Louisiana,
and this country is a failure so far as IL cannot
protect the humblest citizen in any State In the
whole Union. [Applause.1