Morning journal and courier., 1883-11-26
Our National Heritage.

Evacuation Day Discourse by Rev. c. H.
 Buck at the FIrst M. E.. Church.
 At the First M. E. church last evening Rev. MT. Buck preached on "Our National Heritage" He announced for his text the 2Oth verse of the 147th Psalm, s'He hath not dealt SO with any nation"
 This 18th day of November is msmora- ble day, said MT. Buck, in the annals of American history. It commemorRtes the conclusion of the Revolutionary war and the final departure of the British hsg and sol diers. On this day, one hundred years ago, our nation took it's place among the nations of the earth, and began it's march of con, quest and life. Amid the suggestions of this day let us study our history, the conditions of our national life and the blessings with which God has favored us as people.
 God has given this nation 8 most favorable geographical position. It is in the very heart of the continent, the north temperate zone Within this magical zone was Greece, Rome and indeed every nation that has risen to eminent greatness. We have we'll nigh boundless domain. It embraces in it's bor- ders nearly 4 4,O0O, ,O0O square miles. It is ten times as large as Great Britain and France, and only ones sixth less than ths area of all Europe. England could be laid down on the single State of Texas and leave border all around sixty miles broad.
 We are separated by wide oceans from every other great nation. This secures us from infection and invasion. The customs acd errors of the old world need not greatly affect us and their struggles and ambitions give us no fear.
 Our nation was greatly favored in it's 1 founders. Neither the Spanish, nor the French, nor even the aristocracy of England
 were to possess these lands. The noblest of men inspired by the noblest of motives founded this new State. Europe was sifted and the finest wheat was gathered for these shores" The contrast between our nation and Mexico shows how greatly this country is indebted to it's founders for it's present lib- erty and power. God signaIized this nation in giving 1t existence at just the right time. For centuries this continent was hid from the eye of Europe; and even after it's discovery no permanent settlement was made for nearly two centuries. It would seem as if Gcd yelled the new world from the eyes of the old till the spirit of enterprise and in- ventive genius was ready to develop it's re- SOuECSS; bAc LII AOSILy hOE0 sufficiently developed to be planted here with the prospect of a quick and permanent growth.
 In it's resources God has greatly signalizsd this nation. We have enough coal and iron l to supply the world for centuries. The mag nitude of wealth in gold and silver locked up in our western hills is beyond all calculation. Our agricultural capacity is the pride of ev- cry American. We can feed the world.
 God has given this nation 8 great mission to accomplish. It is two-fold. First, to show the world the strength of republican form of governmrnt. During the hundred years of our national existence the democratic idea has been tested. The old world has looked on in admiration or envy, but all have doubt ed our permaneney. The war of 1872 showed that the republic could maintain it's rights on the seas and was safe from invasion abroad. But what could it do in a civil war? That question was answered in our late war. In the mighty military force ex- tempor1zed from its common citizens; In the complete overthrow of tremendous rebel
 lion; in the peaceful disbanding of its armies and their ready return to industrial employ ments, and in the rapid reduction of the inn mense war debt, this nation shows to the world the inherent force and strength of the democratic principle. The second mission of this nation is to give to the world an illustra- ton of liberty and equality. At the very be. 1 ginning of our national existence the grand | idea was given to the world: ''All men are 1 created equal'' That idea has not yet
 been fully realized. Even this country has been torn and lacerated by the spirit of caste. This was the inspira-
 tion of our late rebellion. Its overthrow
 was victory for universal brotherhood. Still | the American ideal has not been reached. Our | treatment of the slaves we have freed, of the | Italians that live on our borders, of the
 Chinese that come to our shores is far from 1 generous or even just.
 | Still. said Mir. Buck in closing, we must not
 be impatient. It is slow, heavy work tc Customs long established, modes of doing
 things long prscticed are not easily or quick. ly changed. But the world moves and the
 day of perfect liberty, when caste and preja-
 dice shall give place to democracy and fra l ternity, is as sure to come as the morrow's sunrise.