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A THANKSG-IVING- DISCOURSE.

AMEKICA

PHYSICALLY, POLITICALLY, RELIGIOUSLY

A DISCOURSE,

UKLIVEnED OX

^riliVZSTIvS&IVIiSra- D^Y, ]^]■O^^K]MBER 34, 1864,

I). DUBOIS SAHLEE,

rASTui: or the congregational ciiuecii, Sheffield, mass.

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JOHN A. GRAY & (IREEX, PRINTERS, STEREOTYPERS, AND BINDERS, I

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CORNER OF FRANKFORT AND JACOI? STREETS. I

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AMERICA

Pffi'SIOALLY, POLITICALLY, RELIGIOUSLY,

*'Hc hath not dealt so with any nation." — Ps.vljl 147 : 20.

Tins was not the lano-uao-e of io;noraiice. The early emj)ires were well known.

There they were : — Nineveli, tlie first of nations^ with the world as her domain; and Bal)yloii, per- petually associated ^vitli all that is resplendent in courts and kiuo-doms ; Media, holdino" monarchs as slaves in her palaces ; and Persia, unal^le to expend her treasure, witli the peoj)le of many realms and languages subject to her sway.

Upon an elevation, higher tlian these empires, stood Israel, as the favorite of Heaven.

Nor Avas it in unhallowed boasting that this song of thanksgiving was sung. Human pride was lost in o-enuine latitude of the heart. Indeed, inherent greatness in Israel, as a people, was not in any proportion to tlie extraordinary providences attendino; them.

Israel was fostered, guided, inspired, as ^^eie

none of tlie ancient empires. Great and lioly men, sucli as tliey did not possess, were lier coun- selors and leaders. A national inheritance was M'aiting centuries for lier possession. Miraculous (^xj)eriences formed lier liistory, sucli as Tvineveli, Persia, and Bal)}'lon liad never known.

Her historical record is too familiar to require a reliearsal. In our day it is a constant instructor of the mind and an inspirer of the imagination. Comparing it A\ith that of the other governments of the earth, it was truly declared: "He hath not dealt so with an}' nation."

The present is a repetition of the past. We believe there are t(^ be ol^served divine dealings, and manifestations, and wdiat may almost be called miracles in these later days — in our own times, and in the histor}' of our own country. There are things connected witli our national history worthy of our heartfelt and grateful remembrance.

The hymn of thanksgiving which echoed in tlie East may resound in the West. The music of Joi-- dan and Siloam\s rill is ans'wered by the chorus (►f the Hudson, the Mississippi, and ever-praising Niagara.

I. The position assigned to our country' is Avor- thy of notice. We are planted away from the world, as it were, and yet in the midst of it. On the East Ave look to^\•ard Europe. The power of our example is felt across the Atlantic. Monarchy

is tliere crumbling to decay. Tlie l)oasted mU- tress of tlie seas trembles at tlie imfriendliuess of a neigliboring dynasty. We rest in comparative safety amid the efforts of thrones after more ex- tended empire. The ocean banishes from us tlie idea of monarchical succession and of the divine right of kings to do as they please.

Upon our Western borders, instead of one At- lantic we have tliree. There the Pacific rolls foi- ten thousand miles its silver tides. Beyond, lie those mysteries of human existence, the nations <^f Asia. It is well that their crowded and suffo- catino; millions are not at our doors. The charac- teristics of these nations are insatiable avarice and unutterable atheism. Their proximity ^vould be the omen of a moral and physical struggle of por- tentous mao;nitude and duration. Our virtue and our patriotism might not save us from terrible disaster or destructicni. The widest expanse of wa- ter on the earth is made to separate between us and them. To it has l^een given the significant, and it is hoped j^trophetic name of the Pacific — that is, — Peace.

No situation could be more admiral)le than ours for attaining a noble destiny. In our Aveakness it was our strength, in our strength it vastly aug- ments our power. We may shed upon the world the light of truth, and are preserved from evil influences.

We may now glance at the land itself

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Tn the North lies a chain of lakes or inland seas. They claim, after their kind, preeminence in beauty and extent. Our coasts j)i'esent inviting harbors to tlie mariner. The Hudson, Avith an easy grace, carries a^vay the crown for attractiveness from other rivers. The Mississij)pi, with its tributaries, takes no second 23lace in varied and enchanting scenery, in vast regions drained, and irrigated, and in usefulness to man. In the center and heart of our country are found the almost imlimited jirairies. We see them in the flowery bloom of spring, and in the o-reen and o'old of their summer attire. Once beheld, they can never be forgotten. They remain in the mind litVs unfadins; dream of beau- t\'. From east to west, ten thousand valleys, springs, and rivulets I'eflect the smiles of Heaven. Mountain chains traverse the country and vary the landscape. Lofty peaks, some of them perpetually white with the snows of ages, stand as reverend monitors, pointing silently to the Infinity of power.

In America, labor receives its richest reward. This remark is applicable to ever}^ department of enterprise. Tlie Western soil is unrivaled in fer- tility, unless you exchange a temperate clime foi- the heat and miasma of the tropics. Providential safeguards against famine exist, in variety and ex- tent of territory, and in the facility of communi. cation. Europe is looking to our prairies to give l)read to lier i)eople. For man}' years, the chief supply of cotton has been obtained from this coun-

try. The arts and sciences have been liljerally encouraged. Our manufactures compete with those of the worhl. TJie veo-etable and mineral kino-- (h)ms in almost all their productions have here found a home. Sul)terranean rivers of oil pour forth their streams of light to human habitations all over the earth. Mountains of gold and moun- tains of silver are drawing millions to tlie West to balance the millions of the East. Civilization, ^vitll bewildering rapidity, is laying the founda- tion of free empires in solitudes untrodden but by the foot of the savage.

Our land is probably the healthiest region on tlie glol)e. Great exposure is incident to the set- tlement of new countries. Fortune and fame are here pursued with absorbing anxiety. Frequent and widespread financial disasters occur. There is a constant strain uj^on the physical and mental })o^ver of the nation. Americans, nevertlieless, live longer than any other people. A larger number reaches the age of a century than in other most tavored and civilized j^ortions of the eartli.

Terrible plagues, which appear to have their na- tiu'al abode in the Old World, come upon us with comparative lightness. Something may be attri- V)uted to the resolute Inioyancy of the peo2:)le. This quality led them to forsake their native- lands, hoping for a better home on a distant shore. This spirit, it may be, shakes off man)' diseases.

Tlie national enthusiasm, or, if }'on please, I'est- lessness, secures necessary recreation and variety. It is (loul)tful wlietlier Americans, as a people, live too fast. Instances of extremes, in one ^vay or otlier, are ahvays to l^e expected. Great activit}' and energy, however, are desirable characteristics in nations. Our endeavor sliould l)e to have these forces properly directed.

II. We are now advancing to the secret of the foregoing providences. Why is there given to tliis nation a position at once centnil and remote i AVhy is the land unsurpassed in beauty, fertility ,and health 1

The older portions of tlie world ^vere, in im- })ortant respects, fjiilures. Small and slo^v advances had been made in tlie love of truth and virtue. May ^ve not think it was, therefore, said on high : Let the experiment l)e again permitted and ordered of forming a nation, wherein dwelleth righteous- ness ? Let a people be trained for G(^(l and placed as the almoner of blessings to the world. A ne\\- Eden was, therefore, chosen, and a new family A\-as created among the nations.

Tliis family was not new in the blood which viui in its veins. It was new in the ])olitical and reli- gious ideas A\'hicli were its life. Nor -were these ideas and principles themselves new. It was the manner of their expression. It was the first national declara- tion that a man was a man. A nation decreed

that no king or petty despot slionld place the foot of his might npon any guiltless brother man. It ordered that in the great essentials of manhood his lowly brother should be lield as his equal. Instead of pushing him lower, he should encour- age him to rise toward the perfection of his na- ture.

This, indeed, was an old idea. It had been whispered by individuals from time immemorial. It was believed to be an article of the divine con- stitution ^vliich the world should adopt. This, however, was the iirst time a nation had undei-- taken to declare and profess it.

To maintain this principle the Fathers of Ame- rica pledged their lives, their fortunes, and tlieir sacred honor. Their idea was Liberty, and Union for the sake of Liberty. In the first place, their national liberty among the adverse governments of the earth, and then tlieir individual lil^erty as citi- zens of the nation.

Lidividual liberty, wliich is so happily j)oised, guarded, and cheered in our national politics, is the distinctive mark and streno-th of the Amxlo- Saxon and allied races.

In the dis2:>ersion of the human famil}' they took it from their home in Asia. They did not lose it in their migrations <jver the plains of Russia. It became more and more a part of their nature in the forests of Germany. Tliey still inlierited

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and claimed it along tlie shores of the Baltic and in the island of Britain.

Christianity breathed a heavenly life into this ])rinciple. It guided it to its ultimate and tnu^ expression. Thus inspired, we believe this principle will be mighty in disenthralling and elevating races which have been sinking luide]* desjiotism. It will give them life, quicken their sloth, make them rise to the true standard of manhood.

The discovery has been made of using individ- ual liberty as a power of national safety and de- velopment. Let a nation be found with faith enough in God and in the right. Let the speech and the ballot of the people be free, and, in time, they will arrive at the highest possible national ])erfection. The doctrine to Avhich we are com- mitted before heaven and the nations of the earth is Vox 2^opuh\ vox Dei. The voice of the people is the voice of God — not innnediately and at all times, but idtimately.

They who advocate principles of national equity or improvement may have a hard contest. Let them not despond, hoAvever. Free sj^eech, free bal- lot, the mind, and the conscience of the peojde are theirs. If they persevere, ere long the shout of victory aaiII be heard.

The state invests citizens with the right of seek- ing for the popular ado])tion of any measure, even to the chanfye of the fundamental law. If what is pro2^osed is just and good, it will eventually tri-

11

iimpli over tlie most formidable oj)2:)osition. Cliild- reii will tlien build n mouumeiit, praisiug the vir- tues of tliose whom tlieir fathers derided. Be it talse in principle or practically useless — though it mav be o-alvanized into seemino- life for an hour— it will and should perish.

This, then, is the soul of the nation, this is its political life and strength — Liberty ; inspired, chas- tened, exalted by Christianity. Its iniluence was felt to the remotest extremities of tlie national system.

We must not omit to notice here the evil in the body politic. While yet under a foreign yoke, a system with which we have become painfully fa- miliar was entailed u2:>on the people. An uncivil- ized portion of the human family was im2:)orted from a distant continent and enslaved. Not with- out revulsion and protestation, however. From parts of tlie sunny South came a voice, strong and decided, declaring that slavery should never be tolerated among them. May the virtue of the fa- thers atone in our eyes for the grievous errors of their children !

The Constitution was formed, declaring freedom, yet recognizing slavery as an institution, to be pro- tected within cei'tain limits and in certain ways. The j^eople enjoyed and professed the fairest i^rin^^ ciples of liberty. At the same time they were al- lied to a gross system of oppression and wrong\ In strange association, American freedom was con-

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joined witli American slavery. Tlie antagonism was absolute and irreconcilable. Could the two be per- l)etuated together? Impossible. The idea of the Anglo-Saxon and sister races, that of individual liberty, forbid. Tlie elevating and merciful spirit of the Cliristian religion forT)id. The institutions, the genius, and sj)irit of the nation springing from these germs of political and religious life, forbid. AVe may ask the historian, or the student of hu- man nature, if it is strange, in view of these things, that our country has fallen into its present perils i Could there be peace with these elements in tlie nation ? As Avell might you expect to place an icebero: in the o-lowins; crater of Vesuvius, and not produce commotion.

The portents were not wanting. Murmurings Avere heard ; flying clouds were seen in the na- tional horizon. Patriots beheld, and looked upon one another. Some said, these clouds will j^ass away : this trembling will subside, and be succeeded by a calm ; fears arise from illusions of the mind — all is well.

Again, deeper rund dings of passion shook the continent. A host of orators arose, and each one, in his own way, showed how to allay the commo- tion. Human wisdom exhausted its resources, ^'('t more profound and violent A\'as the rolling tide of national feeling.

The immortal Clay and Webster, who spake and nations heard, saw the time a])pr()aching. AYhat

13

would he tlie final issue tliey could not discover. They feared the temple of American nationality would be razed to its foundations, and not one fair stone left uj^on another. In imagination, they saw the eagle of American liberty rise in tlie heavens, and, forsaking forever the land of promise, Avend its uncertain flitrht to distant climes and aires of the world. As they peered into the unknown years, they prayed that the fearful day might not (hxAvn upon their eyes. Their petition -was an- swered. They were removed from witnessing the disaster, their eloquence and statesmanship could not avert.

Now there came a sound from the Southern At- lantic coasts — from the embattled avails of Sumter. Its eclioes spread over the savannahs of the South, through the valleys and across the praii'ies of the North. For a moment the millions held their breath. Clearly, distinctly, the momentous issue was presented. In one day it was understood and accepted — A. natioii's ruin or regeneration.

Let it not be said that Christian repu])lics fos- ter selfishness and not patriotism. The life-strug- gle of our people should silence forever the in- sinuation of malignant and decrepid monarch}^

Through divine mercy, the faith and virtue of the people has saved the country from destruc- tion. The perilous crisis of the danger is, we be- lieve, nearly overriden. Like tempest-tost mariners, that have doubled Cape Horn, we see sufficient

14

light before us to hope that we shall soou sail in the mild waters of tlie boundless Pacific.

Perchance, it could not have been otherwise. In a condition of affairs anomalous as that which has marked American history, the wisest men luay have wisely differed. IMay it not be said that the difii- culty was uot incalculably more in the men than in the jx'culiar circumstances of the period in Avhicli they lived 't

We are here reminded ^ve can not be mere sjx'c- tators of this national drama. We are actors in these scenes. There are things for us to deter- mine and to do. Present duty demands our atten- tion. Let us attempt to follow its direction.

As a nation, we are evidently entering upon a new era. The time has, therefore, come when those ■\vlio have been opposites as to governmental policy should be reconciled, and mutually forgive. Let, therefore, the past be past. Let the bitterness, the partisanship, and the sectional feeling which have arisen sink forever in the depth of generous forget- fulness.

First, I call for forgiveness in respect to those -who have favored emancipation policies. A¥e nui}' view them as agreeing upon the evil of slavery, and in some form of oi)positiou. Ho^^'ever bitter or radical any of them may have l)een, ^vho will say there was no occasion i When the i)eriod comes, of the deliverance of inankind from thral- dom of soul an<l body, will not men justify them

15

for earnestly pressing tlieir principles ? That pe- riod we believe is steadily ajjproacbing. In a few years it Avill be the Ijoast of Americans that no slave can land npon onr shores without being thenceforth forever free. Whatever these men may have wrongly done, we crave for them forgive- ness. Alas ! there was a fearful, Ijitter occasion.

Again we plead for the pardon of those who have ranged themselves against the advocates of freedom. We know the view they have been led to entertain of our affairs.

The nation's faith was pledged in a certain wa}- in regard to slavery. The minds of multitudes seized upon this fact. They were easily convinced that emancipation tendencies were against the spirit of national pledges. The idea of liberty was fought as if it was a demon.

The influence of slavery on those to whom it came as an inheritance, is to be remembered. It came from their fathers an institution of the world, and they supposed it was an institution of God. They found it existing in all ages, and contempo- raneously with them in other portions of the world. The divine regulation of its evils, they were per- suaded was intended to give it the sanction of Heaven. Moreover, they regarded it as a matter to be adjusted solely by the States by Avhom it Avas adopted. Every address favorable to liberty, from persons in the free States, was resented as an incursion upon their rights.

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It was claimed to be an impossilnlity to remove the system, extended and fixed as it was. There A\'as an irrepressible revulsion from the great so- cial changes and pecuniary loss, it was thought emancipation ^vould bring.

Plereafter, these difficulties will doubtlessly l)e appreciated. Men in the future will look lenient- ly on many who are now condemned. Let us fore- stall their judgment. Let us not reprobate alto- gether those who have felt constrained to oj^pose the views of lil)ertv which have stained control. Nay, rather let them be forgiven.

We wish to Ije included in the general amnes- ty of the heart those who, in the mighty ferment of our people, were apparently unmoved. Their course was taken not because the moral and po- litical aspects of the question w^ere not appre- ciated. Their decision was made after Iouq; and cai-e- ful consideration. If they erred, it was not for want of thought. " We may be reproached," said the}', " for not taking our position as men in a great moral conflict. We will bear the burden. We Avill lighten it by this reflection. We can not be charged with the stirring up of passion which only blood could satisfy. Our part shall be to allay the frenzy of the hour. AVhen the great contest comes, and after it has passed into history, it will not be said that w^e added to the leno-th or se- verity of the strife."

And now we make a final plea. The existence

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of a divine principle in onr hearts will now 1)e tested. We speak for tliose avIio pas.sed th(^ bounds of legal disputation, who in an hour of disap2:)ointment plunged into revolution. The (tov- ernnient is restoring them from the al)yss into which they would draw themselves and their coun- try. As this is being accomplished, let us imitate the divine magnanimity. Let us welcome them, ^vith our reproaches forever buried, 1)ack again to their home, to the sisterhood of States. We have tasted earthly bitterness in our discipline. May wc hasten to enjoy the sweetness of celestial nectar ■ — that the bitterness may die.

" To ovr is human, to forgive divine."

We have been taught the' trutli of the former part of this apothegm in a way A\^e can not foi'o-et. May we so practice the virtue commended, that the w^orld will remember it forever.

Let the opening of a new er^a be thus cele- brated. Then as a people honored and blessed, ^ve may rise to tlie more perfect realization of

" A liberty unsung By poets, by senators unpraiscd."

III. We are thus introduced to the noblest and most interesting phase of American life. It is no longer esteemed a cant to refer to the intervention of the supernatural and divine as an im2:)ortant element in the aftairs of men. Nor need one hesi-

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tate to assert tliat x\merica is remarkably favored in tliis respect. A peculiar necessity exists for this influence. In religion men are free. There is no obstruction between the soul and God. One feel- ing and asserting with others this freedom should be impressed with divine ideas. He should have a sense of his immediate accountability to the in- finitely Wise and Good. The motives arising from his immortal existence shoidd constantly affect liis mind. The distinguishing mercy of heaven is here- in reflected. This land is not only most thoroughly permeated with the true principle of civil libert}-. It is also most highly Idessed with the inspirations of relisrion.

The souls of men are guided and taught from on hiirh. Wherever ' divine truth is known, and there is found a circle of praying hearts, the Holy Spirit draws those of every age and condition to the path of " glory and virtue." Vast and increas- ino' multitudes walk forth daily with God as their Father, Jesus as their Saviour and Friend, and heaven as their home.

Christians from abroad see and rejoice in the goodly religion of America, its simplicity, its devo- tion, its generosity. AVe listen to their words witli some surprise, since here is no constraint. All is natural — the soul being simply and alone influ- enced l)y divine motives. Faith seems natural since we are not driven to it, but attracted toward it T)y God himself. Freedom of religion has a ]K>si-

19

five power and liold upon tlie peo])le. We have little fear of ftilse Inerarclial systems. The priest- ly anathema in other lands is an instantaneous l)light to all that is dear in life. It has no terror on this side of the Atlantic. A system counte- nancing such an act soon falls to decay. It may not sink beneath the power of denunciation. It will be as with the icy castles of the queen of Russia, which are Iniilt in winter, and melt away in sj^ring. Those systems ^vliich are erected in the freezing, cheerless winter of error, will sink from view in the genial sunlight and atmosphere of truth.

America is blessed with a ministry in the main apostolic in spirit and doctrine, a church with lit- tle suj)erstition, with clearness in conviction of truth, with active and growing benevolence.

Our 2:)eople love their churches. They do not fear them as symbols of terror. Their churches are their homes, their feasting-places, the gate of heaven to their souls.

A distinctive feature of American life is the Sab- bath. This sacred institution is better understood here than in any other portion of the world. In Asia and Africa, it is unknown. In Europe, with limited exception, it is a day of tiresome formal- ism, with a sequel of worldly amusement, without any rest for soul or body.

In America, we have a Sabbath. Its morning's dawn is a holy calm. Through all our States, in

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oiir I'liral regions, iu our village.s, towns, and cities, tlie music of thousands of cliiming Lells calls a nation to their temple-gates. Thronging multitudes ])()Ui' forth from the abodes of wealth and from cu)ttage homes. They meet around their altars and listen to the word of life.

On this their day, as stars of holy light, with messages of truth, with unfoldings of spiritual and eternal things, with appeals to tlie conscience and the heart, with winnings to the love, and warn- ings of the wrath, stand the ministers of God, the ambassadors of heaven.

Another multitude, with shining feces and beam- ing eyes, in the elasticity and joy of childhood's day, gathers in many earnest circles, and ponders tlie teachings of Him who S2)alve on earth as man has never spoken.

From these great assemblages, from all these s^velling hearts, rise the songs and prayers of the spirit into the ear of God. The Father's blessing- descends. He whispers of hope to the hearts of his children. Sorrow is driven from their eyes. Tliey go forth strengthened against temptations, prepared for life's duty, ready to receive and sweeten the joys of earth.

The birthrio'lit which the American claims is the Bible. He demands it as his own, as a free man on the footstool of God. No pretended pre- I'ogative, human or divine, can take it tVom him. Its heavenly pages will be his instruction. He

21

A\ill ^valk with it through the Moi'hl, and 1»y it apj)roYe or coiideniii. Its truth is the, rest, of his soul. He will not i)ai't with it until, with his last hreath, he deposits it as his guide upon the threshold of heaven. We trust this ideal lias al )Ounding examples.

Under the divine hand, the varied elements of humanity are here assimilated, and, as it were, a new man made. This new world has produced, Ave believe, a purer, nolder, freer man than can he found anywhere else on the earth.

The x\lmighty band has hrought us to this ])rincely land. It has blessed us here, causing man}' clouds to pass, and giving us brightness afterward. As to the future, our prayer and faith unite. That Hand will still be . with us, fulfilling our ardent hopes, cementing our Union, making us a virtuous, free, and happy people, whose God is the LoKD.

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