The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-01-16

would be an srchsngel; as it is, in
civil matters, be is cross between a
genius and fool
Ii was reserved for our own na-
ton, 10 "Ihe fullness Of time" with
proper elements. TO reveal this tru;h
To the world in its proper propOr-
tions. The old idea OF the Divine
right Of kings which for 50 many cen
turies was as prominent in the sys-
TEN of civil government as the sun
in the armament, was displaced by
the new and grander one brought to
light by the events of rs, of the "Di-
vine rights of the People Look,
now, at the effect of this bew revela-
ton. do not wish to give wings to
nv Imagination, but to Inquire solely
into the faithfulness OF our nation in
its God-given mission Of teaching
self government to the world, and to
see to what extent that teaching has
been received Now mark, it is not
expected that the whvle world will
come 10 every feature OF our peculiar
economy, but that the popular prin-
ciples Of our system will be every
where realized. Every candid OBJ.
server must admit that q survey Of
the present condition Of the govern
ments of the world reveals a ienden-
cy 10 civil affairs toward Republican
ideas, liberties as irresistible as the
earth's motion. This is seen Gin the
movement toward equality OF repre-
sentation and the enlargement OF suf-
frsge in England, in the unity Of
Italy, in the confederation of Ger
many under the lead of Prussia, in the
actual republic OF France, 10 the un-
steady throne of Spain, 10 the con-
slant additions to the peoples liber-
ties Of Europe" Columbia, in this
respect, is the North Star of all the
nations, and by her clearer light aud
higher truth the whole world seems
msgnetized for the needle of civil
legislation dips constantly to ward her
fundamental truth, that all men are
born free and equal"
Tie second element Of her mission
is to solve the various social and po-
litical problems of the world Our
country has been well termed the
battle ground of sgesn For here all
peoples, sll nations, sll tribes meet,
bringing their various customs, ideas,
and problems with them. 1t is the
Canaan to which the pilgrimage of
the world has been tending. Some one
has beautifully pictured it, 'tbe three
sons of Noah separating from one
another on leaving the Ark, each
pursuing his own appointed way aud
mission, meet at last, after all these
centuries, in our own favored land,
trio Of humanity, looking up to a
triune God"
Look at the elements entering into
our Nations life. First as to the
nations. French in Maine, English
10 Massachusetts, Dutch in New
York, Quaker in Pennsylvania, Cav
alters in Virginia, with Scotch, Irish
and Africans scattered promiscnous
ly. In regard to ideas of govern
ment the French were monsrchists,
Pilgrims republicans, Datch wanted
to be let alone, Quskers would not
fight, Cavaliers wanted to donothins
else, Spanisrds were vsgabonds. In
regard TO religion there were Catho-
lies, Protes.snts, Freethinkers. Pa
gans, Inidels and "every one big
OF" These were the complex and
various elements to be barmonized
into our body polite" And now
Of later years the Chinese come
pouring in through the golden gate
by the million, with their supersil-
tions and idols, and the problem is
still more complex. Our Nation is to
harmonic the world into one people
and adjust the various questions, po-
litical, social and religious that dis
rurb mankind. Is not this holy
trust? May we not behold in this
grand mission the Divine purpose Of
those wonderful resources and prov
licences We have been contemplating?
May we not, with fourfold meaning,
repeat the text, "He hath lot de alt
SO with any nation"
Let me now offer a few thoughts
on the true way in which we NAV
prove faithful 10 our holy trust, and
insure the Divine blessing. And
here let Us remember that God holds
nations as well as individuals respon-
sible for favors bestowed upon them,
and history as well as revelation
teaches that fsithless nations, as
faithless individuals, ere beaten with
many stripes.
L remark, then, that our first duty
is to preserve the integrity of our
civil polity. God gave Us a republic
on this continent for special pur-
pose, and means that it shall stand
secure. We have no room for sepa-
rate kingdoms, no place for mon
arcby. Let this be the common mot
to of all parties, of ell sections. "tbe
union forever, one and insepsrable "
Let not sectional strife or party feel
ing distract from it. Let the obi, ct
of all Legislation, of all political &C.
tion, be to preserve the purity and
perpetuity of our civil Institutions
Divide on whatever minor issues you
please; tariff, currency, civil service
or any issue, but on this agree: "The !
union of States and Of Interests
Let our civil polity, a sacred gift |
from heaven, received from the bands |
OF our Fathers, be transmitted invio-
late TO coming generations. Remem-
Der the lesson taught by the dissolu- |
tion of Ancient Republics. Internal
dissension accomplished quickly what
foreign invasion failed to do.
Does some one say that am trans
cending the limits of my sphere
Not so. | would point to the exam
pie Of the Ancient Hebrew gather
ing the youth of his nation about
him, and instructing them in the pc
culiar rites and duties of their ma
tion. So we of this later time, with
a better heri,ance than the jew, may
well look to "the things that make for
our peace" Therefore, as a religious
duty, ! would rekindle again the fires
of patriotism which | sometimes