The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1882-12-06


return. Our past is not irreparable if we
are penitent. A great future is still posi-
BILE. Recovery, achievement, assimilation
with God, a better world, glory What
opportunity marks our dayi The things
which prophets foretold as afar we see and
are familiar with. Said Jesus once ad-
miringly of the noble, austere John Bap-
tist, the last of the Old Testament pro-
phets, in garb and, temper like the fiery
Tishbite, Elijah, He is the greatest of all
the prophets; yet the least in the new
order of Christianity will be greater"
Such wealth Of opportunity and privilege
did Christ introduce and lay at our feet
m-soME POLITICAL REASONS FOR
THANKSGIVING.
Some day "politics will be cleansed
word. It certainly represents large and
illustrious interest. As members of great
nation we can truly say, He hath not
dealt so with any nation"
The speaker cited some impressive illus
trations of the unique favor which God has
shown this nation.
/. Our Territory Its size, situation, re-
sources; its 10000 miles of sea-coast; its
great lakes, rivers, mountains and plains;
its variety of products, etc., were delineated
as munificent endowment of Providence.
g. Large Population 1t is large enough
now to make our vast territory manageable.
Its increase during the last year or two by
immigration is prodigious; its quality
varied, and ultimately perhaps conducive
to the formation of the highest type of
human beings.
8. Great increase in wealth. All valu-
able products are in large supply; also the
facilities for getting, improving and dis
tributing them were never better. Twelve
thousand miles of railroad built, for in
stance, in one yeari This wealth, also, is
not coming up in forms vulgar, barbaric or
brutal, but quite largely helpful to all
laudable purposes. The benefactions to
humane, educational and religious causes
roll in large volume.
f. Intelligence-notm merely knowledge
was spoken of as vastly increasing.
5. Character. This is the choicest wealth
of nation. In character is the guarantee
of its defence and perpetuity. If we look
into the state of religion in the land, there
are indications of improving character.
Looking into public life we can certainly
discern symptoms of augmenting character.
Justice, public policy, the dominant litera-
ture, education and reforms all indicate
public conscience enlightened and hope
fully sensitive.
The recent elections were cited as giving
evidence of character. A great party, after
twenty years of power, afflicted by abuses,
has in its ranks enough men of character
to rise and defeat it for reformatory pur-
poses. The endeavor at selfhealing is
without parallel in party history. Not
without much determination and real
virtue can a party thus defeat ITSELF 1t
has procured Democratic victory as an
emetic. Certainly it required courage in
Massachusetts, to administer to itself such
an emetic as Benjamin Butlerl There is
still character enough in the nation scorn-
fully to reject and condemn political trea-
cherry to principle, and to insist upon prin-
ciples and measures which shall be just
and adequate.
The speaker commended to the notice of
politicians who were allured by compro-
ising and expediency to catch this and that
kind of vote, the example of Ulysses who,
when sailing past the Isle of Circe, closed
the ears of his crew with wax, and had
himself tied to the mast, so as not to be
influenced by the syrene's song. He ad-
vised the politicians who were not boldly
committed to great principles to get them
selves tied to the mast before the seductive
and destructive song of political trickery is
again sung.
N.-As A NATION WE HAVE PROFOUND
REASON FOR THANKSGIVING TO GOD.
To God-not to any human being-for
what He has done. 1t is no time for self
graduation; there is no place for boast
ing, for we, as people, have not been emi-
nently wise. We belong to foolish race.
The kindness of Providence is conspicuous
in doing so much for, through, and by SO
foolish people. Like the Hebrew people
of old, in great moral questions we have
taken the slow, circuitous and tragical way
of the Wilderness" But as in that case
also, God was with US by guiding pillar
and guardian flame. He hath not dealt
so with any nation"
Grateful for the past, glad in the present,
the Christian patriot yet has cause for sober
concern in some of the problems which this
nation will be called upon soon to solve.
There are certain grave dangers associated
with great blessings.
1. As to territory: its vastness and va
riety of products: What will insure terri
torial integritys
2. As to population: Its bulk and diver
sity are thriats. What will ensure homo
geneity on high level?
8. As to wealth. Its rapid and vast in
crease make it likely that some of the
greatest fortunes the world has ever seen
will be in this country. The wealth OF
corporations also is massive and still aug
menting; what will guard it against abuse
4. AS to intelligence: To blend it with
character and make it safe is not an easy
problem. Herbert Spencer truly says that
safe citizenship is not so much matter OF
intelligence as it is of character
We may certainly look for great conflicts
in the future as in the past. We can hardly
expect great nation to be compacted int
its best and perhaps final form without
serious agitations. Yet Faith in God, CRATE
full and glad, will face all these pro
blems heroically, saying, Hitherto the
Lord hath helped u.s."
Duty Is commensurate with ability anC
onr,ortI1nitv Tho adeorate citizan will