The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-02-15
A SERMON.
ElfBRA CLNG RELIGION POLITICS, DOLE
FnF THEORIES AND STILL MORE
DOLEFUL Hopes.
= Very Serious Discourse.

bio 1t is said that looming events cast IL
his shadows before them" If this be true
lda have reason to apprehend important re,
"J lutions in almost every department of
an. terest to tho American people, and at
ak very distant day. Our social fabric, hi
TO- erto a model for the world, is fast losing
n n9 charms Our political institutions are
les ready SO modified that they are scarce
v, cognizable as the same bequeathed to us
at our fathers Once happy, proud Americ
a has just cause for humiliation if her pee
% pie would only pause to consider what
If really the social, political and moral stat,
10 of the country.
"a Whatever may be the cause, it is patel
d toeyery observing eye that steady proces
OF disruption and disintegration has bee
going forward throughout the whole coun
try for more than twenty years. L
It's incipiency it was treated lightly. As
became formidable it was denounced. an,
It's abettors were tabooed as the enemies o
their country and foes to her veal. Spas
modc efforts were made to expel this fienG
from the body polite. These efforts fail.
ing, justice raised her cry in our streets, as
well as from every hilltop and valley. Her
friends came to the rescue and laid them.
selves willing sacrifice upon her affairs.
Still the tyrant !and oppressor triumphed.
Virtue though wronged, injured, robbed,
IN meekness submitted, henceforth to ac-
cord to Cesar at least all that was due.
For the time, purposed also to render unto
God 'the things that were Gods Swords
were exchanged for plough-shares and
spears for pruning-hooks.
Here it was thought our troubles would
have an end, That heavenly peace, with
balmy wing would shade and revive the
land once more. The hero of many battles,
triumphant at last, was raised to the seat of
Washington and from this exalted position
said III his first message to the victors and
the yanquished: LET us have peace. "
Thousands of hearts throughout our fair
Southland shouted a loud Amen, The
storm of warhad passed. In its desolating
march it laid waste happy homes, destroyed
life and property, left us nothing but desc |
lation and ruin. Whether this was a lust |
retribution for ouE social and political |
wrong doing, OF the mere result of natural |
cause, that the strong does overcome the |
weak it is now useless to inquire. There |
is, and will be perhaps, for generations to
come difference OF opinion on this point.
l will venture to give my own opinion.
Recognizing the providence of God in
all that affects either nations or individuals.
am fully persuaded that the God OF
Heaven had quarrel with this whole ma
ton; not against our section cnly. but our
entire country. All the counts in that fear
full bill of indictment preferred by MaIichi
against Gods ancient people, lay with equal
weight against this tairest land that Ger
the sun shone On" The iniuuitv of the
land had eliminated i'll acts identical with
those charged by that Ancient Seer, upon |,
his Heayen-fyored countrymen. The God
Of truth and Justice would he AVENGED. Il
The blow fell not upon the South alone.
but throughout the land, North, and East
and West redaxlvely if not positively, the
effects We're seen and felt, and they continue.
Alas, too if there be anything in the signs
Of the times they viii continue.
II We take but Il glance ut our social con. /
ltlon, there never was period Of such !
decentralization. The people of !
the North dauouuce Ku Kluxism in the
South, while the daily and weekly press of /
their own section Is toeming with accounts ,
Of riots strikes, homiciles of the most :
lrut i character, unmeutionable crimes [
ynchipg5, bribery, embezzlements, robber-
les OF grave yards and q catalogue of iniqui-
les frighttul without precedent. c
What is the aspect OF our political affairs? r
Bargain and sale, recroance and treachery ?
in every department; extrava- |
,ance and waste. on every hand; constant ;
Tor the spoils; an accidental Cd =
President Of this grand Republic; a host of
ABILITIES about him welding the sword and 81
he treasure Of the land; grave Senators -,
elpiDg TO conceal the sins of Il corrupt adj IA
that they may retain their own
laces, and patronage; or if they claim to
2 OF his own party. and dare to oppose a
oasuro on appointment that he recon-
ends it Is evidently for some selfish end.
is done william eye to the chance Of being tn
IS successor perhaps. Then, in the popu-
i branch Of Congress, where the majority
with tie opposite party and from this IF
aority Lh2 people have reason to expect 81
stlca toall sections see the wrangling even
4gug this majority. What a want of har- III
ony and concert of action. Here even CF
q same spirit Of sectional jealousy that of
Eliminated II civic war; crops out still when
or any measure Is proposed which ri
yOrs the least OF building I'D our en-
otion although If does by no means Bat
ect preiudicialy, any other. On the rec
utrary, would prove mutually beneficial 3
It'll il a recent debate two of our repre- TIE
natives had the courage to rebuke this pre-
irit it would seem that we were doomed w
submit always to indignity and inius,
e. and our representatives in Congress, q
t they should give offence to Northern
es or might injure the prospects of some \. ]
aspirant, would tamey con, iie Il
# to see their trusting constituency de- J, 1
ded before the world. ]. p
The poor, unfortunate negro, il seems. is L. i
tined to be a perpetual cause of quarrel
Z Northern brethren wanted them freed
y vere 0ratiied. We have acguiesced. 81,
don't want them snsllvcd any more. STAT
amendments to the Federal COustitu- 49,
;, and reconstrUctiou of our State GOV .'.'
naGts, the negro T. secured in his right ..st
outrage, and has been made equal with
white man in all respects before the
What more is desired? Why. that
hail vote always with the Republican
y, An embargo at once upon his freed -
He must not think OF act for himself rs
all his liberty. II he cannot be con
ed in the interest Of the Republican .,,,
Y, where lie is. he must be taken up. an 81
splauted upon different soil in a differ rt, I
climate Government aid is invoked ION.
his purpose; emmissaries are prowling Ni>1
agh the country arnuSing the spirit p.
iSearteut among This ignorant eul nm Rink
mate people any 2
gu mere '-L-' "- NA'y iA5 currency prove
ton. the lnaitn question. the 'ITrt- Haas u
sihle' negro question. beside many -lIll
Is. all threatening The peace and pros Il FL
~ of tL1 country. fabI
What are we 20 DO. What can We da
e circumstances Oh arrest impending Il
en- With y0ur permission. 1 viii
some other Jay on these questions.
lgsAC-vVA