Year: 1861

The day appropflateu TOT Natlonal tSl was duly observed by our citizens, the churches wcrc open for services appropriate to tho occasion, and the audiences in attendances were much larger than are wont to be present on days set apart for such or similar purposes.

 At the church in North Cornwall Rev. Chas. Wetherby dscourscd in part, nearly as follows, from the words :-" Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.''

 Tho writers of Scripture understood human nature perfectly. All of us are inclined to think wrong is not a wrong if it is not speed fly punished. Especially is this true in regard to national iniquity. If an evil endures great while, we become usod to it, and regard it as matter of courss. The Londoners don't mind their fogs, as we should, to go to that city from the clear morning skies of the mountains.

 A man or nation of men can get accustomed to years upon the nerves of moral sense, they at length grow less sensitive and wo begin to feel that our previous sensibility was nero fanati- cism But we must remember that national life is very long. A government may last thou sand years or more. Hence public iniquity will not produce it's final results so rapidly as private wickedness. wrong may exist in the state and five or six generations pass away before its worst tendencies appear. But sooner or later evil will issue in ruin. Though hand join in hand the wicked shall not prosper. This is Gods decree and in the long run of the centuries it will be accomplished. But because God is patient-because He does not punish at once, therefore the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil This republic is now learning under the stern discipline of war, the truth of these statements. A great sin has long been in our midst. The sin of human slavery. But it was very profitable sin. It encouraged tradesmen, manufacturers, commerce, It pro- duced our great article of export to foreign mar kcts, and therefore, men hated to touch it. The nation acknowledged it's authority by comprom- ising with it. The North has for many years been saying to slavery, "give up somewhat of your demands and will give up somewhat of

 

 never to have done. To be sure compromising may under some circumstances be an excellent way of getting rid of difficulty.

 When opposing interests clash, neither of which invade any moral power-then comprom- ise may come in to adjust thoir separate claims. But man or nation of men, ought never to sur render the smallest conscientious conviction Give up anything sooner than that. It is folly to compromise with wrong and wo are beginning to find it out. We compromised with slavery in 1920, and were then told that a future of undis- turbed peace would be the effect of it. But in a few years, new and more insolent demands were made, and we compromised againi in 1S50 Then, too, we were promised peace as the result. But in '54, more alarming difficulties arose, and we yielded again for peace. And now the clash ot arms and the roar of battle has once more dis. turbed our fond dream that national quiet and prosperity can be secured by compromises with lniquity. Give any wrong rod and it wants mile. Grant it one security and it requires 'en Present it with few honest convictions TOT one meal, and it demands the entire national conscience for the next. Slavery is as insatiate "' 'A' grave It loves to stamp it's foot upon pros'fate virtues and liberties It was bette, TOT us had we refused the first demand and done right, leaving the consequences with God.

 At any rate we have gained nothing by &C., qulescence' save rebellion tenfold more nor. tentous and widespread than it could have boen in 1920. We have only heaped up wrath apa;nst the day of wrath. But still it is said that ao, ernment does not mean even now to stay all com promise with slavery. God, however, means il ment it's authority as controlling political pow CT is ended. It cannot shape by legislation a Washington longer. At the North, no party an' no respectable man is so poor as to do it reve