Year: 1865

continental nation must be vain. "


Thus VIC see that those documents con-
tained the masler-sprit of true freedom and
equal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit
oil happiness, which, but two years alter.
declared to the world that those Colonies
were, and OF right ought to be, free and in
dependent States; and in this spirit, with
firm reliance upon Almighty God for the
Irectitude of their intentions, the Lord sus-
tained them in the mighty combat against
British oppression, and gave them their free
dom. And for this distinguished privilege
what American heart cannot this day offer
unto God thanksgiving, and pay his VOWS
to the Most High?


1t is good for us, on occasions like this. IN
take a retrospective glance at the peculiar
elements of mind and heart which have sus-
tanned this nation under all its conflicts, and
given it its distinguished characteristics and
Its force of influence, that we may not forget
what God has done for us, what qualities of
soul have given us our success and upon
what principles of heart will DEPEND our
future prosperity as 4 nation, and happiness
as a people.


NOW, when we assumed and gained this
freedom, new nation of the earth was
born; and then, as II free and independent
people, we were an infant Republic, inexpe
rienced in the practical operations of a free
government and national legislation. But
the people were well disposed, enterprisinr.
intelligent, temperate and Industrious
Their predominating moral character, with
individual exceptions, was, generally speak
ing, honest and upright towards all men,
with due regard for every mans lust
rights. This was the state of large ma
jority of the inmost heart and Judgment of
the people, in the outset of their freedom.
In addition to these moral qualities they
had strong religious feelings. They were
obliged to attend Church, pay the minister,
not travel nor work on the Sabbath, learn
the catechism, and keep the commandments.
Thus there had been implanted in this infant
nation good mental and physical founda-
ton upon which to build strong, upright,
peaceable and harmonious Republic or free
people, having for their long-inherited and
leading element of soul, freedom of con-
-~-N@@SNi NAAS Joab AA5utS VI lltu, uuQ no OD-
preston.


But this National Infant, as he, grew in
stature and strength, became, as the other
kind OF infants often do as they grow up, a
specializing and world-loving youth; wild,
extravagant and unsettled in his views and
feelings. And, disregarding his moral i'm
pressions and duties, he fell into q quarrel
with himself about his own diversified quail
ties, views and duties; and whether the doc
trine of equal rights and privileges to all
men of every nation and rank in life, SO
much shouted in his boyhood were not
mistake. And he continued the contest un-
til 1t broke ont into terrible warfare between
the constituent elements of himself which
even threatened his own life. This state of
things called out afresh, the leading, sleeping
spirit fhis character-the God-given rights Of
humanity. For his nursery lessons had not
been forgotten nor their life destroyed, even
though they had been sadly overlooked and
disregarded by very large majority of his
constituent parts, both North and South.


But when death stared him in the face, he
began to think of his God, and the lessons
of his childhood, and the story of the Pill
grims, and the expressions upon the col
onies, and the blood of the Revolution, and
the value of freedom, and the cost of the
country. And the Heaven-born spirit of
7G came yelling up warm from the lnmost
souls of large majority of his constituent
parts, who were now well aroused from their
stupor.


And in the decided and powerful exercise
of this spirit the Lord has given us peace
This peace comes upon broader, higher
and more auspicious ground than we have
ever before stood upon-a ground whereon
We can now carry out, practically, what we
had before acknowledged to be right theoreti-
eally, but had never, as people, been in
state of mind and heart to do it.


Thus the infant of 76 has become a man;
and we may reasonably believe he is hope
fully converted to higher and better course
of life. The moral and religious lessons and
the doctrine OF equal rights of all men to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness, so en-
phaticallly taught him in his childhood, and
incorporated into the best ground of his
heart from his mothers milk, have, in the
Providence of the Lord, arisen to vigilent
action, and have resisted and controlled the
inherited tendencies Of his nature to unjust
dominion, and have thus opened the door
for his publication and true progress, as a
nation, towards the image and after the
likeness of the Heavenly Father.


For nations as we'll as individuals may be
regenerated and come into heavenly order.
| Al. =.
the way clearly opened, for our becoming
people of high order and excellence-a heav-
emily example for all the nations of the earth.


For we have exalted elements of character
which no other nation possesses in so high


degree. These elements have recently been
tried as by fire, and they are coming out


strengthened and purified


What are these peculiar elements2 They


are heavenly freedom and true manliness,


founded upon the commandments of God.


And their real essence is love to God and


the neighbor. Their operation is for the Just


rights of every man. Their tendency is to
, enlighten, purify and elevate the mass


And if We now do our duty as a nation, ac-
cording to the light and power given, we
shall become all and more than our most ar


dent hopes can anticipate.


Well them may we this day, offer unto
God thanksgiving and pay our vows to the
, Most High; and humbly and fervently pray
that, as people, we may individually and
: collectively study well the Divine Laws he