The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1880-06-03

lack of public virtue is the source
of past tragedies; the omen of future
calamities. We lament our dead, there
fore, as In some important sense, victims
OF cur wrong conduct, and bearing our
sins.
We do well to applaud the heroism Of
the fallen. They did what they could;
they gave their lives. Let us not forget
however that they have bequeathed to
rs An unfinished contest. Their cause is
not yet fully successful. Slavery is le-
gally abolished but the spirit generated
by 1.-THE inh1man, domineering, anti
national spirit which has bullied the ma
tion for a century, is still alive and alert.
We need now not only men willing to
ole for liberty il occasion requires it,
but men willing to live for it, in pa
thence, bravery, and lifelong fidelity to
truth. So long as the negro, the China
man, the Indian, or any other man is un-
fairly treated, neither our rights, nor our
peace are secure.
am not sure that wehave not wretch
edly betrayed our dead; for apathy to.
ward right principles has allowed unre-
pentant rebels too large q share in the
government not only Of states but also
Of the nation itself. When see the
survivors Of the war 60 forth with rever-
ent steps and serious faces to decorate
the graves Of their fallen comrades, ]
am not sure but they may have reason
to envy the quietude Of the dead. Eor
these men who did not die in battle gave
Of the very zap Of health and of fruitful
years to the national cause. Some of
them suffered severely in property and
person In behalf Of the precious cause
which now they see almost betrayed by
public ignorance and indifference.
Fellow citizens, here in the house OF
God, from the moral and religious point
Of view, I would like to outline for you
the appropriate duties of the adequate
Christian citizen, but I must not do it
now. Let it be said, however, that any
thing lees than integrity and patriotism
in national affairs is to be regarded rs in
gratitude to our dead, disloyalty to our
nation and impiety toward God.
Penitence for past delinquency and
dedication Of ourselves to the highest
ideal Of christian citizenship; these are
the duties of the hour; unto these duties
the decoration ceremonies should incite
Let rs recognize our obligation to justice
and righteousness, in the settlement OF
old and new issues. Before the enflow.
cred mounds OF the dead and the serious
faces Of the living, let US brand as q
blunder as we'll as crime all slippery
shuffling and treacherous dealing with
principles, in national affairs. Fright
eousness exalteth a nation but sin is q
reproach to any people," 1t is a re-
proach not only to the heart, but to the
intellect; for wrong doing is q silly blum
der as well a. . costly crime. So the
Bible everywhere calls the sinner 6
"fool."
The speaker closed with An earnest ap
peal for . broad, humane and chsstenet
national spirit. The idea that high NOR
al principles are inexpedlent and impoli
tic in public affairs was denounced a.
heresyS in view of the tragical Past
Those who might be unwilling to tax,
the highest moral ground were exhortet
at least to admit that justice is expedi
ent, and righteousness is polite, anG
even cold prudence was hidden to claim
henceforth that freedom and equity shsl
prevail in fact and fullness Throughout
every portion Of our country.