Year: 1871

rests upon us because of them. It would
be very difficult to classify these in 8
more fortunate phrase than that used in
the Governors proclamation Liberty un-
der laws infused with spirit of Chris
tisnity. This spirit of Christ and liberty
does far more to induce education than
compulsory laws can do. Men who pass
through our common schools are worth
more to themselves, can earn more day.
than those who do not. 1t is the spirit OF
our institutions which induces the intel
ligenee without which our Republic
would be failure. When this free
thinking is joined with the possibility OF
free expression, it becomes possible for us
to correct the evils which carelessness, or
the wickedness of individuals, have fast
ened upon us. The Christian principles.
which lie at the foundation of our insti-
tutions, can then come to the surface and
assert themselves. We have had some
notable instances of this which prove the
existence of this purifying power.


One was the uprooting of the institu-
ton of slavery. The work was done by
free discussion through the press and
on the platform. The war came after the
result was accomplished. The extent
and cost of the war is very good mess-
ure of the power of this remedial influ-
snce which is in the spirit of our insti
tutions. Another instance of the power
Of this moral science is in the overthrow.
which it has accomplished, of the ring in
New York. Here the speaker gave 3
brief history of the formation of that in.
iquitous power, and showed how it had
intrenched itself behind laws, and courts,
and machinery for multiplying elections,
until it had been despairea of overthrow
ing It except by force. What had re-
quirsd ten years for its formation had
been destroyed in as many months, by the
possibility of rousing the moral law of
the people through free discussion and
free press


In the same way the civil service was
known to be fesrfully defective and grow
ing worse. But the people were arousing
to the danger, and though every party
interest demanded its continuance, there
is every reason to hope that the begin
ming of the discussion which we here zee
is the omen of a better day. Here Lies
our hope for the failure. A people Great
ed to appreciate the spirit of our repub-
lilo can always draw the ship of State
back to its true course through the instru-
mentalities the republic has provided.


We are prepared to see at once the re-
spousibilities which are blessings put mp
on us. We are to keep eur country true
to its mission. We are to keep near the
surface that spirit of christianity in which
our institutions had their birth. We do
this by refusing our support to men in
any way-by word or vots-for public Of
6ce who are personally ft for it. We are
to watch with far more care the men who
are invested with the interests of the ns-
ton. II women are ever to have suff
rage, it is not too soon for them to begin
to make this demand that only men who
are worthy shall be presented for their
votes, and shall be appointed TO Office by
the men whom they elect. The fusl re-
suit with the Jews was to sing God's
praise. All our efforts to sing praise to
Him for the blessings He has conferred

must be very hollew mockery if we take
no care to preserve those blessings.


Taking proper care to develop our
selves according to our beginning is to
be the most powerful proclamation of
Christianity which can be made to the
world. Other nations will enquire and
will bnow what is the secret of our
strength and happiness. 1t will not be
so difficult for nations to be born in day
after they come to see that the gospel
which makes the offer of the new life, is
also the foundation of every political and
nj tionsl blessing for which they have so
vsinly struggled through such oceans of
suffering.