Year: 1870

OF all nations upon earth We, the American
people, ought most heartily to maintain the dignity
aud worth OF men, The fundamental maxims Of
our government imply and declare the essential
equality of men. The violation q the law Of honor
to humanity occasioued the heaviest woes we have
borne, and constituted weakness under which We
had well nigh fallen The glory and strength Of the
Republic will be according the consistent fidelity
with which that law Is fulfilled It seems to be the
design of Providence that the New World should be
the seat of nation built up from elements con-
iributed-by all the older nations of the earth


In the establishment of the people,


God had ssed three Kingdoms nd the wheat for this


planting;


Then had sted the wheat the living seed Of uaton'


The choice and costly product was the Pilgrim
Fathers, who to be accounted the true founders
of the State, for it has been their principles which
have given it vitality and form. On this day of
devout observance received from them, let us not
omit to salute their names with reverence and praise
The original stock allowed to take root and
gain strength. Into 1t have been grated seions
from every land. Europe has long been pouring, in
steady stream her mingled thousands on the eastern
shores of the continent and now more receutly the
oldest Empire begins to overflow upon the western
coast. Tue blood of all races and peoples minaaes
in the liecurrens of the nation It is well that Il
should be so. There is place and ProvdentiaI
mission for all. Each viii contribute some peculiar
element for the development of the nation. All will
conspre TO build up that structure as yet only be-
gun, of national grandeur If the Republic is true
to its own maxims, if honor is paid to men Of every
race by extending all the protection of equal laws
with means and opportunities of culture, then the
largest hopes of the Christian patriot will be sur
passed


Let another brief observation conclude this dis
course We honor men by eherishiug a universal
human sympathy. Recognizing the intrinsic value
of under all conditions, and their capability of
development, however rude their state, we ought to
feel as personal wrong whatever holds in degfada
ton any class of men, limits their opportunities
to rise to higher range of life 1--WE are members
one of another" The abasemeut of any portion Of
the race is dishonor to common humanity. 10
its elevation all rise 1t ought to be our con-
cern therefore, to promote the advancement Of our
fellow beings. Those who, by favor of Providence,
have enjoyed advantages and opportunities Of cui-
ture, ought to beware that they do not look with
contempt upon those of other races, classes, and
conditions. If brought into connection and contact
with those OF alower grade there is special obli-
CATION to seek their elevation. A nobler work, or
OuS noTe 10 JOo, eau not De ptflormt0s
than that of developing men. The antiquarian who,
in exploring ancient remains, finds portion Of 4
statue by some master hand rejoiees over bis dis
covery. The marble may be stained and corroded,
it may be only the limb or bust of figure, but he
discovers in it the traces Of genius and skill that
make it precious. Could he find all the fragments
and restore the work in its original perfection Of
beauty, he would have the fame and the gratitude Of
who has added to the treasures ofthe world Is
so much to regain the image of a man? How great
thing then must it be to rescue from Ignorance aud
/ degradation himself, and to bring back in him
the likeness of the divine original The best return
for advantages enjoyed is to communicate them.
The strong should help the weak; the cultivated
endeavor 10 train the rude; the enlightened and re-
ligous to Instruct those whose minds are darkeued.
Such benefcence is the best thanksgiving. By cher
ishing feelings of brotherly sympathy toward all Of
our race, and by promoting in them the qualities
/ that belong to noble humanity, we honor men.
and display true gratitude to the Author Of all our
/ good.