Year: 1861

out the government? 1t is one of the


crying sins of this land, and one that has


provoked the Most High, that we do no,


more highly respect and appreciate the


government whose inestimable blessings


we enjoy. May God in his mercy grant


that we may not discover its value only


by its loss.


A. but, hear some ono SAYING, al


this government is destroyed we will con-


struct better upon its ruins" Who


says this =? And how does he know ?


The man that will make such an asser-


ton, or entertain such an idea, manifests


the most profound ignorance Of human


nature and Of human history. Would


you pull down this house. with all these


human beings in it, for the sake of erect


ing better? That were a wise, a vir-


tuous act. compared with that of the


men who would pull down this govern


ment upon the heads of thirty millions of


people, for the purpose of erecting a bet


ter upon its ruins. No, my friends


there is no ground to expect better
government-and least of all to expect it


from the hands of those who are plotting


the ruin Of this Union. The attempt in :.


wolves an immense sacrifice of life and
other interests. And if the great temple
OF constitutional government, erected on
this western continent, falls, it will carry
down with it many of the noblest monu-
ments of human greatness, and many of
the most precious anticipations Of human
progress. Such fall would overwhelm
with dismay the hearts of patriots in 9TH
er lands. who have been sighing for Uni
on and constitutional government and
turning longing eye to our own coun-
try as the beacon that was to light the
nations on to liberty and greatness. II
would put new and powerful argument
into the mouths Of despots all over the
world against the capacity of man for
self-government. Yonder,'' they would
say, pointing to fallen America" the
experiment of self-government was made
on magnificent scale, and in the most
favorable circumstances that the world
ever afforded. And yet in less than a
century from its origin, and in the midst
Of its glory, it has proved an utter fail
ure. Surely even human folly will new
er again try the experiment" Thus the
fall Of our government would strengthen
the hands OF despots and discourage the
hearts of the friends of popular govern
ment all over the world.


The influence Of the destruction of the
foundations of our government, upon our
own country, could not be otherwise-hu-
manly speaking-than exceedingly dis
astrous. And il would be the more dis
astrous because the secession movement,
as originated and conducted. not only
aims deadly blow at this particular gov
ernment, but subverts the very idea OF
civil order and law. What are some Of
its characteristics Well, there is per-
jury-the violation. on the part of the
principal actors, of their oath of fidelity
to the government; robbery-the seiz-
ure OF many millions Of property
and money confessedly belonging to
the government by indisputable title
war levied, and that in aggravated cir
cumstances, against the government,
which it was not pretended had as vet
done them any injury and which did
not design to do them any injury. Here
then We have in this secession movement
the personifcation of anarchy. 1t is the
very spirit of lawless violence. rearing
its hydra-head against the supremacy Of
law and order. Ii this spirit Of insubor-
iination should prevail the reign Of an
srchy would be inaugurated And that
would be "reign Of terror" The
'uture prospects Of our country would be
'hrouded in thickest darkness.


III. The duty of sustaining the gov
at this alarming crisis.


This duty would seem to be so obvi-
'us AS scarcely to need remark. All
light minded men have an immense in-
crest in supporting public law and or
Ter. Indeed they have the most at stake
For as we have seen, while villains Of ev-
'ry class might riot amidst scenes of
anarchy. upright and good
men would have nothing to gain. but
to lose by such change
Ii the foundations be destroyed, what
'ah tne TiSuteouS 90


Now l am not intending to substitute
patriotism for religion. l am pleading
he cause of my country, and. as connect.
ID with it, the cause of my God. To my
country owe a devotion which | do
lot owe TO my father. my mother, my
learest friend. the companion OF my
BOSOM. Religion first. but next to it. Of
III things under heaven-PArsIorIsN.


l. We should look TO God as our re-
uge. We know not what may be all the
lesigns OF providence in permitting this
,reat calamity to overtake US as people.
ie may design to humble us as nation.
nd bring us to feel our dependence upon
i'm. We have been greatly blessed
'onderfully prospered--but have too
much forgotten the source of our bless
ngs. tho Father of lights from whom
ometh down every good aud perfect
ift.''


The Supreme Ruler may also design
, rebuke tho demagoguo spirit. which is
ne Of the great evils of our land, and
ne Of the causes of our being brought
} the verge of ruin. He may also de-
Ign IN some way--we earnestly hope
nd pray that il may not be by violence
TO afford solution of tho dark prob.
r.