Year: 1860

desire to ask in all candor, shall the twenty six
millions of inhabitants be denied this blood
bought privilege by the four millions, most of
whom are of European and priest ridden origin ?
Shall single sect, though they were genuine
worshipers of the One only living and true God,
control the other sxsevenths, who worship their
fathers God l must enter my protest against
this recent insinuation and injustice. on the sim
pie ground of equal justice and then as a min
lister and expounder of the Bible, ask for it the
first place in every institution of learning, be-
cause by it alone, can men know God, know their
own real characters, and their relations to God
and the future. By it can man ever learn to
love the Lord his God, and his neighbor as him
self l ask for it place particularly in our
common schools, without note or comment, be-
cause it has hitherto been the foundation of all
the prosperity of our whole country; because.
without it there can be no permanent form of self
government. On the Bible, as on duration S
rock, can civil as we'll as religious institutions
find permanency. In vain shall the world of
mind hunt for the opposite of this statement. |
vindicate its right of entrance wherever head
and heart are to be stored and moved by its
everlasting behests, from the fact that there can
be no permanent, high state of civilization with
out it. And | lastly ask and insist upon it a
place, and power, as the best legacy of universal
man, by the boundless loves springing from the
fatherhool of God. Read 1t in the children's
ears, and give its principles Judgement in their
hearts, and our nations liberty and prosperity is
as certain as that God hath declared it. Never
cease to impress their minds with Gods truth
Righteousness exalteth nation"


But l said the press was the pinions of knowl-
edge. And is it not? Books in their re-dupli-
cations are the fruit of the press, and without
these the incpiency, or progression of knowledge
were antiquated and aboriginal. Laurentus
never dreampt that his wood type would, in so
few years, be the prototype of new era of
knowledge and Gutenberg had as soon think
of gliding the stars, conceive the immensely
of power and extent of the modern press. Aside
from the multiplication of books and the preser
vaton of the most valuable knowledge, it is next
the Divine word, at least one of the greatest civ
ilizers known among men. Where, when aud
how would general information be put forth and
|
not for the press How would public wrongs
and private mmoralties be exposed and reform
ed or suppressed, but for the vigilance of the
press How convey all civil, moral and religious
news from point to point on our globe, but for
the press How guard the banker, merchant,
artizan, mechanic and laborer against imposition
and extorion ? How bless the poor and the rich,
] f,a xVit info IF thn
varied avenues of industry. and the latter by the
openings of trade and commerce, and at the same
time restraining their cupdty and avarice Bat
the press is not only the multiplier and informer,
but also the guardian of all human interests.
The ruler and the ruled, the jurist aud the jury,
alike before the tribune of the press become in
telligent, are alike amenable to the public whip
or commendation ; are lifted to power and inGu
ence, or driven into odium and contempt A
high-toned, we'll conducted press is worthy the
sustenance of every nation, and community, so
long as it panders not to the low twaddle Of par
ty, or sect, or is the mere caricature of personal
whims and caprice. Revolutionists ever seek
the press overthrow among the first acts, and
tyrants ever place on it their jealous surveillance



vertible argument is this of its mighty power.


Pure and chaste information is like the Revela-
tors tree conservative and healthy principles
like Eden's river. Both are conserved, and main
tanned by worthy press.


The State, the body polite must exalt God to
place in their statute books; to their congresses
and legislative halls to their courts of justice
and administration of law.


Who that ever looked upon the picture Of
" The First Prayer in Congress" has not felt
alas for us, that seldom do we recognize by
supplication, praise, and Thanksgiving, Divine
power and instead of the pocket Bible as the
companion of the legislator, the pistol, or bowie
knife are the associations In the land of the
Puritans, and home of the Pilgrims, the Cod
honored and prospered practice of asking the
notice and attent of Heavens eye and ear, is
still preserved. Never a session of legislative
body, seldom a court of justice, scarce militia
muster and review, ever commences until the
protection, preservation, and direction of the
Almighty is implored. Without repeating the
sin of Israel in their goden.calf-god. our com
monwealth bows at shrine and an idol as eye
less, earess and impotent, and the idolatry is of
deeper crminality, and heavier curse deserving.
Take heed to yourselves that your heart be not
deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods,
and worship them and then the Lords wrath
be kindled against you :" is the Divine record.
Our reproach to-day before the world, is the
goddess practices of our rulers Where, since
the days of Robespierre and Danton, has the
French infdel convention had so striking coun-
terpart or resemblance as in the successive leg
islatures, for several winters, of our own golden
home? Where. in the worlds history, SO foul
and bloody stains as upon the garments of our
highest Indicators, till Cain-lke, the murderer's
brand is ineffaceable. And sin is reproach to
any people" is a peculiarly emphatic scripture,