The Weekly sun. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1870-1872, July 05, 1871, Image 4
quirer, 27th Jane.
bat Issues Shall We go into
the Fight!
Is there any place in the future for the
Democratic party? Has its mission ended?
Or, we might pat the question in this
■way, Is there any place in our Federal
politics for an Opposition party?—the
name is of secondary import.
A party which exists merely to protest—
we mean a political party—i 8 like an old
piece of furniture which is only fit for the
lumber room. When it is ascertained,
in the course of human events, that a
political party has lost the cunning which
wins victories, its mission is ended. To
stand on a dead platform may satisfy an
octogenarian, but it cannot satisfy those
of the generation who are in the flush or
prime of life.
If the Democratic party is merely to
keep the field as an Organized Minority,
it were as well to cease opposition at
once.
If we should keep together a party at
the South, organized on the basis of the
Bight of Secession, to be formally ma-
uoauvered in every political conflict, the
absurdity would strike every one. If we
.should re-organize a pro-slavery party in
the country, to march up to the polls at
every election, and go through the for
mality of voting, the emptiness of the
procedure would merely, provoke derision.
If, then, there is no reasonable hope
that the Democratic party, standing on
the issues of 1868, can break the Bepub-
lican line, if, after eleleven years of de
feat, their discomfiture can be easily fore
seen in the next Presidental election
on the same issues, then, and in this
case, people will become disgusted with
these mock-conflicts, and will feel that
the sooner we have done with them the
better.
The question is, Are there any existing
practical issues between the Republican
and the Democratic parties? Is there
any antagonism on vital points which in
terest and command the attention of the
masses? Or, has the Democratic party’s
“occupation gone?”
i Says the Chicago Tribune, one of the
ablest Republican papers in the country.
“It is the tendency of the Ku-Klux bill,
“rather than the bill itself, or the execu-
“tion of it, which gives force to the as
saults of the Democracy. This tenden
cy is towards the obliteration. of States
“and the centralization of all powers at
“Washington, after the French model of
“government.” It mentions the Con
gressional election law as “another of the
signs of this tendency,” and intimates
that the transformation which this legis
lation foreshadows will never receive the
sanction of the people.
And as that able Democratic paper, the
St. Louis Republican, says:
“The constitutional question before the
people, then, is not whether a State has
a right to secede or to nullify an act of
Congress—that was decided, in fact, by
the late war—but whether a State has any
rights which the National Government
may not at its pleasure set aside. When
a central government begins to appropri
ate the powers of surrounding States or
provinces, it never, of its own accord,
ceases from the process. It continues
the encroachment, if unresisted, until it
has become imperialized and the States
reduced to outlymg dependencies.'
There is the issue in a nutshell. Is
there anything left worth fighting for ?
Has centralization became a fait accompli
—or may we stop the revolution which is
in progress ? If the right of secession
has been lost by the war, and the right
of suffrage to the negro has been secured
by the 15th amendment, does that end the
battle between the Central Government
and the States ?
The Republican party is by no means
through with its programme. It aims at
the absolute destruction of the : States.
By the enforcement acts it has appropri
ated to the Federal Government the
power to regulate and conduct elections
in the States. By the Ku-K.lux bill it
has not only authorized the President,
at his will, to suspend the writ of habeas
corpus, but it has appropriated to the
Federal courts, as declared by the New
York Tribune, nearly the entire criminal
jurisdiction of the States. Senator Wil
son, of Massachusetts, has warmly urged
the assumption by the Federal Govern
ment of the control of the education of
the children of the country. The Wash
ington Chronideh&s done the same thing.
A bill has been introduced into Congress
with this object.
If the Democratic party could arrest
the progress of these changes in the
character of the Government, it would
have accomplished a work of irnmnnci
import to the cause of local self-govern
ment. And the question of to-day..is,
Whether the Democratic party, more'
mindful of the past than the future, shall
plant itself immovably on the platform of
1798-’99, and, so standing, staffer defeat
—allowing the Republican party to go on.
*• enforcing the 14th and 15th amend-'
ments by appropriate legislation,”' and
perfecting in other ways the centraliza
tion of the Government; or, Whether,
Constitution, and preserve the auton
omy of the States-and.the. great pnuqiple
of local self-government. •
This answers the question whether the
mission of the Democratic party has end
ed. We must not indnlge the llhberal
fancy that the events of ottr day have en
ded the career,of humanity.* 1 WeJive in
an fLffe of revolutions. The atmosphere claims all its gains for. its own purposes.
of th^whole world is charged with revo- - - — »' others: lte ™
tion. Venerable systems that have en
dured for ages are falling to pieoes ; and
fiercer shocks than we hayevet witnessed
ore, perhaps, in store for Europe, Asia
and America. '
It is not wise to, retrovert onr gaze too
long. If .there are any accomplished
facts, the sooner we strike onr tents ana
“move on” the better. While we. are
maundering over the question of Shite
sovereignty the Republicans are snuffing
out tbe States themselves. While weure
balking over the question f whether we
shall have any wine foe dinner they are
closing the dining-ioo/riK 1 : * . '{
We have reached a crisis;, we have got
to get the possession of the government,
or to go under altogether,. and close up.
f the Democratic party meets one more
defeat, it is, at least, doubtful whether it
will continue as an organized force any
longer. Tbe eclat of ever-recurring de
feats will be hard to shake off, after one
more discomfiture. And if that, organi
zation should be broken up—what then?
Where will State Rights be then—when
the only hope left will be tbe gradual dis
integration of the Republican party, both
wings of which are as ignorant of the -
Madisonian theory of our Government as.
"e Communists of England are of the
British, constitution. As Patrick Henry
said, we must fight—and when we pitch
our battle, it must not be with the object
of seeking the crown of martyrdom; but
with the levies and the enthusiasm that
are the earnest of victory.
r*-* rf 7/
Democratic Club of Cambpeli
County.
The Fairburn Sentinel informs ns
that a Democratic club was recently
organized in that place for the .pur
pose of correctly representing the true
politicnl sentiments of the people of
that county upon the present admin
istration of our State and National
Governments, as well as to correct the
misrepresentations of political ene
mies of the Democracy of Campbell.
To complete the orgadization of the
clubs throughout the county they
have invited a citizen’s meeting at
the Court House,’ on Tuesday next,
to-morrow. The following names are
atttached to the resolutions adopted
at the first meeting.
E. C. Mobley, S., G. Johnston,' T.
W. Latham, E. Floyd, S. J. Johnston,
T. T. Bohanan, G. T. Cochran, W.,B.
Swann, W. P.,Dayis, TV. M. Bartlett,
I. W. Carter, 0. A. Cantrell, . L: S.‘
Roan.
Dr. G. Goodman,
J. G. Lester, Chairman.
Secretary.
For the Sun.
.One of the New York Herald’s Bo
hemians says, in his late “interview”
with Chief Justice Cha^e, that the
following question was propounded
and the succeeding answer given :
“I have heard some Republicans, Mr.
Chief Justice, say that had Yallaudigliam
lived, he would probably have come over
to the Republican organization. What
do you think of it?” ;J
“Oh, no, that’s a great mistake. All
the Republicans he wanted would have
come over to him. There would have
been no occasion for him going to them.
. Very sensible and pertinent reply,,
wasn’t it? - Squibbs.
if sabbath punprr review.
-** v w. WARBEN, PASTOB.
HOOT BAPTKX CHVSCH—B*' • E. w * .
n. fi rs t day of the week let even/ one of
SS2S3*2 *?$* ** r r °v ered hm -
BuTfew Congregations listen with pleasure to ser-
monfi urging them to contribute money.
Selfishness, which is innate ia the human breast.
rposes. Its blind
eyes see not the wants of others; its ears are deaf
ened to the caU of the needy, and its heart is harden
ed quite beyond the impulses of sympathy. “Avarice
has joined the Church, has been baptized, sits in
the pew, oomes to the Lord's table, says its prayers,
and hopes for heaven'-while it is laying up all its
treasures on earth.” Its moral sense is shocked at
the perfidy of Jitfias Iscariot while the Church stands,
as Lazar undid at the rich man's gate, and pleads in
•wain for the scanty crumbs that faU from its table.
. JThe text sets forth
I. The duty of giving.
1. The Jews, during the Theocracy, were traiueu
to giving. All their tithes and offerings amounted to
about one-third.of their gross, income. So strongly
has this habit taken hold on the Jewish mind, that
even now, to their praise be it said, they never let
theirpoor beg.
2. The early Christians laid all tbeir possessions at
the apostle's feet, authorizing them to use whatever
portion might be needed for the Churches or for the
poor saints.
The custom of giving was based upon the Divine
authority. “It Is more blessed to give than to re
ceive.” “Give and it shall be given to you again,
good measure, pressed down, shaken together and
running over.” liove for the honor of the Saviour,
is accompanied by love for the means by which that
honor is promoted. Heuce, the true and trained
Christian loves to give.
! n.'AU must give. “Let everyone of you lay by
him,” ic. <..
1. The poor'are not to be' deprived of the blessing.
The penny contribution of Love, from the hands of
the indigent of to-day, is as acceptable as were the
two mites of the poor widow eighteen centuries ago
2. The rich greatly need the exercise of this priv
ilege to restrain the heart from setting its affections
upon increasing wealth. The danger to this class of
persons is great, and the inspired warning unusnally
solemn: “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl
for the miseries that shall come upon you. Your
riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-
eaten. Your gold and silver are cankered, and the
rust of them shall be a witness sgainstyou, and shall
eat your flesh as it were fire.” The injunction to
give is positive. You must part with your money or
reject the authority o) Christ.
TTT How much must each one give ? In the sacrifi
cial offerings, the rich brought a lamb or kid or hei
fer, but the poor brought a turtle dove or pigeon.—
So now “it is accepted, if a man give acoordSg to
what he hath, and not according to what he hath
not.” “As the Lord hath prospered you,” is H srule.
This places the matter between you and Him for set
tlement. He stands over the . Treasury'and sees
whether we give due credit to His blessings by our
gifts.
IT. Houi Often Shall We Give.
1. How we are annoyed sometimes by the frequen
cy of applications to give—all the missionary enter
prises, Bible societies, church buildings, orphans'
homes, &c. Our covetousness is greatly vexed, and
we seek a remedy in not giving, aud thus we increase
the moral malady by disobe Jieuce. Are we as reluc
tant to receive from a gracious Providence as wear,
to give to Uis cause ? Suppose we make the rule of
giving to he the rule of asking. Ask of God only
when yon are willing to give.
2. The Bible rule of giving, is, “ On tbe first day
of pie week.” Fifty-two times in the year—your mos
religious day—the type of heavenly rest—while think
ing of your eternal inheritance, then prayerfully “lay
by ” your weekly contribution.
“ Though He was rich, yet for our sakes Christ be
came poor, that we through his poverty might be
rich.” While we praise this uuseiusliuess ot Jesus,
how reluctant are we to pari with money for hs>‘
glory. ;
“The liberal soul shall be made fat.” He who
gives cheerfully, shall receive bountifully.
Brave Little Girl and
Brave Rescuer. 1 -
Her
A few mornings since, “little. Ef-
fie,” a bright-eyed, curly Leaded, five
years old, belonging to? Mr. and Mrs.
rarvish, living on Main • street, just
south of Thomas & Parry’s livery sta
ble, took a “plunge bath” that came
near resulting fatally. There is a
deep well on-the place, holding some
fourteen feet of water. It has no
curb, aud water is drawn by means of_
a rope. “Effie” had been watching
Mr. Thomas drawing water from the
well in a bucket, which . she called a 1
“kettle.” The rope broke and the
“kettle” went to the bottom. This
troubled the little one, and afterward,,
in peering into the well, looking for
the kettle, she . lost her balance, and
plunged head first into the well. Her
mother heard heir scream as she. top
pled over, ran into the yard, and hap
pened,. by the merest chance, to glance
into the well, saw “Effie” as she
come to the surface the first time.
Powerles herself, she ran fox the
livery stable, shouting at every step,
“Effie’s in the well, .Effie’s in the
well.” Mr. Thomas, was at the well
in no.time, and without a moment’s
thought as to how he was going to
get out, plunged in, bracing himself
as best he could, against the smooth
walls as he went down, and reached
the water in time to meet Effie “ on
the way up ” the second time, aud of
course, rescued her.
As soon as the little one could get
water enough out and breath enough
in to speak, she said to Mr.; Thomas:
“Jack, I have found your ‘kettle j’ it
was clear down to the bottom,” and,
sure enough, she had the rope tightly
clinched in her little fingers. We
hardly know which most to admire,
the bravery of the man who risked
his life to save that of the little : girl,
or the coolness of the child in hunting
up the “ kettle,” when ’ fourteen feet
under water.-—Cameron {Missouri)
Observer. moil jishi
There is. .considerable i opposition
among.the stockholders of: the United
railway companies of New Jersey-to
the,proposed lease of their railroads.
taking up a position to command tin* ear to the Pennsylvania Railroad, ami
1TBST PBESBYTERIAH CHURCH.
The commencement sermon of Oglethorpe Univer
sity w preached by Bev. Dr. Petrie, of ilout-mm-
ery, Alabama.
“5® brin 9eVi forth fruit of herself;
eM-MAAiY*™. ean aflCT *“* Ute f,dl wru in the
We are familiar -with the process of vegetation, and
tfi a reflecting mind the observation of nature is deep
ly instructive. - ' -
Both material and spiritual objects are traceable to
similar causes and are governed by similar laws.
.'The.operation of divine .grace in the soul, are
fflmi'ar to the most ordinary processes of nature.
There is a necessary law of progression in ihe world
of miud:as well as the law of ma.U-r.
shall bear much of the impress of Heaven, we must
lay the foundation W moral and religions principles.
‘The earth bringeth forth lrnit of .herself” so that
there is natural development
We do not mean to say there Is to be no culture,
but th-t culture is an after consideration. Progres
sion Is the order of God.
By observing the growth of grace we see by anal-
agy, that
1st Human character is not a thing suddenly
formed. By character we meen the actual • state of
the human soul in feeling, thoughts and habits.
Passions and principles are the germs frem which
spring the character.
Man has not fallen to the level of the brute crea
tion, but he has fallen sadly—wofully fallen from his
high estate.
This character proceeds through all the stages of
its growth. All do not exhibit the same depravity,
but there is the same germ of sin. On the other
hand, where the Divine principle of grace is implan
ted in the soul, there is the same development |
Tendencies toward good are more difficult to ao>
quire in old age than in youth. The original—the
early character will be apt to prevail.
2. Human character is not only developed but it is
developed by natural means—not by spasmodic tf.
fofts or extraordinary processes but by natural pro-
cesses. How important that the early tendencies
should be rightly directed. It is true that just as
rthe twig ia bent the tree is inclined.
Character is strengthened materially, by the
length of time passed in growth. Habit is the great
former of character. We are the creatures of cir-
cumstances. Every man’s ideas will be the growth
of what he daily does. Every day we are growing
in virtue or in vice—in purity or depravity.
Early tendencies predispose and foreordain the
character. The law of progression is the criterion by
which we are to be governed in predicting the future
character of men. There may be some remarkable
occurrence to change the early tendencies—the re
sult of ear.y impressions.
As early tendrels seem to foreordain the future
character, they also contain the dements of future
character. These elements form an. inherent part of
the soul. The tree that is to bear frnit in the autumn,
is the tree that blossoms in the spring. So if old age is
to show a noble character, we must see the young,
“jemember their creator in the days of their youth.”
How desirable that the mind of youth should be
trained in the paths of wisdom! How beautiful to
see the young bringing ihe first fruits of all their in
crease to the Lord!
4. The great need of early piety.
True piety is not merely desirable but essential. It
is absolutely essential, becaase it is the only sure
prevention of sin. Piety is a thing that requires
more space for its growth, more attention and time
than auy mere virtue. An oak which is to stand for
■enturies does not spring up like a mushroom. So
a noble character does n<Jt spring np in a moment.
To the students of Oglethorge University, permit
me to recommend the subject of this discourse.—
Time never changes the nature of the seed sown.
Does the spirit of God work without means ? This
Holy Spirit says “to-day.” To-day if you hear his
voice, harden not your hearts.
LOYD'ST. M. E. CHTltCH—BEV. J. H. ICTOWLES.
Text.—I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice
holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service. Bom. xii, 1.
The weighty thought of the' text is the duty of an
immediate and entire consecration of ourselves to
God, in view ul' Uis tender mercies to us. In ordei
to urge thiB duty! consider the divine mercies; first
in their number and variety; second, ia the wodeol
their bestowal; third, in thi end for which they are
'designed.
If self-reproach is unlawful; if the blush of shame
shpnld.ever mantle the cheek; if deep humiliation
Should ever become a mortal, it is when we forget
the. ^mercies of God, bestowed daily without our
merit—yea, even whet we cherish rebellion in ou,
hearts toward him.
If the astronomer may lift his eye to the Stella
firmament, and group together in constellations
these myriads which defy computation when viewed
singly, why may not he walk forth to view God’
blessings, combined and grouped together. The
broad arch of your life — experience, is
studded with blessings. Blessings of the
day, blessings of the night, blessings 01
the mind, blessings of society, blessings of the gos
pel. God’s method of bestowing blessings is with
out ostentation. Th- re is a grandeur in silence. If
you stand upon the bank of a deep, broad stream,
coursing its way in silent power, you are impressed
with a feeling of the sublime. When you gaze, on
some cloudless night, upon those shining worius, all
obedient to law, moving in appointed orbits—silent,
calm, uniform—yon feel a certain majesty of soul, a
going out of your whole being toward their great au
thor. In this silent, unostentatious way, God has
chosen to affect his creatures. How calmly and
teadily He moves on in the path of His providences.
At the dawn of each day God has not placed watch-
men.throughuut His realm to herald the approach of
light. It greeted you sileutly as you this morning
awoke from slumber; all along the hours it kisses
your cheek. Ho matter what is your character, the
sweet, soft light falls around , you his uncreasiug'
waves, chosen emblem of the munificent author of
A • Ho earthly friend can afford a full illustration
of God’s constant, unostentatious care over us.
Yet, when you see one, a mother, for instance,
working in your interest, asking nothing, not even
the reward of praiBe, laying a train of benefactions,
by word and deed, parallel with your life, you have
an. illustration, though imperfect, of the divine
method of he-.owine blessings.
_ What is the end for which all blessings are de
signed? Why does God blesB each one so richly? It
Is not to enhance his own glory, nor to bring his
creatures into a blind servitude.
God blesses us for an end which respects our eter
nal happiness. He knows there is no happiness
apart from himself. He resorts to this grand meas
ure to unite his creatures to himself, and thus to
eternal joy.
Ve who are postponing the consecration of your
selves to God, gather within the range of your mor
tal vision his mercies, think of their number, the
manner of their bestowmeut, the end he seeks, and
how can you alight your Heavenly Father by post
ponement ? How does the faithtul, untiring love ol
an earthly friend draw forth your affection in return?
Will you do leas for that Heavenly Father, whose
mercies and whose love are infinite?
WESLEY CHAPEL—BEV. AEMINIUS WEIGHT, PASTOR.
Text—And h ■ came thither unto a cave and lodged
there; and behold tne Word of the Lord came to him,
and He stiisl unto him: What doest thou here, Elijah f
And he said, I have been very jealous for tht Lord God
of hosts; jor the children of Israel have forsaken Thy
covenant, tliruwa down 'Thine altars, and slam Thy
propnets with the sword; an t I. even I only, am left;
and they seek my life, to take it away.—I Kings XIX,
9-10. ,. ,
Elijah was one of the. most illustrious men of an
tiquity. His early history was obscure; he was
called to preach, and like John the Baptist, he was
reared up unknown to fame. In his humble condi
tion he was unpretending. He lived in a degeneral e
age, and even national character has been' so' per
verted that he saw little for enconium, but much to
to condemn.
This prophet was called at a period when the
morals of the country was in a moat deplorable condi
tion,
Tne King and Queen overthrew the altars of God
and established in lieu thereof the kiugdom of BaaL
Elijah, in confronting those who were promoting the
enormities of the age, exposed himself to the venge
ance of the King and Queen, but this did not induce
dm to abandon the service required of him.
There are epochs in the Church as well as in Gov
ernment, aud such meetings and appliances must be
provided, as will be commensurate with the extent
of the ev.l it is proposed to remedy. What was to
become of the great principles of the Decalogue
Ahab had declared for Baal; but the Lord God o
Elijah is Go'd; eight hundred false prophets werear*
rested and slain by order of Elijah, in the face of
authority. The prophet sought fo exterminate a
false religion and to establish the worship of the
true God
The Que nhal power, she was the power behind
the throne, aud Elijah was the chosen instrument to
combat the religion that Ahab sought to establish.
But at length fear entred the mind of Elijah, and
he fled to a cave in Mount Horeb, where he sought a
safe retreat from a blood-thirsty Queen, “andbehold
the word of the Lord came to him in the language of
the text.
But the Lord said, “Yet I have left me seven thou
sand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed
to Baal, and every mouth which hath not khwed
him.”
Whenever religion involves personal danger we
are too prone to retire and yield to a pressure that
we might successfully reals.. We are tempted to the
utterance of the declaration that the world is rush
ing to ruin and that we do not propose to exert our
influence to arrest it. We proclaim that the world lo
corrupt and demoralized and that we will abandon
cur duty and say it is useless for us to attempt to
stem the current.
God does not want men that are so destitute of the
firmness and courage that will enable them toexe-
wanta that will stand
°- tl ? ri co mes. We are too apt to say
What can I do single-handed ami alone V Chris
tianity demands that we shall stand and battle for
toe ngh . Seek no caVe.no seclusion; hold up the
majesty of principle and do not yield to the pressure
of a corrupt public opinion or anything'else that will
antagonize principles ol the true Christian religion,
Cotton and Rain.
Fooled so often—fooled In every
thing heretofore in regard to Cotton,
we think it foolish for a man to ven
ture an opinion in reference either to
the price or quantity of cotton in fu
ture. Cotton never works itself np
to calculation. It is the most willful
tiling in tlie woriel and docs exactly
what it is not expected to do and
what it ought not to do; but it does
look now as if next Fall cotton would
be scarce aud high priced, that is, if
present appearances be significant,
ihe people, who are however* much
given to “ by per bole/’ and all the
editors, and even the preachers, say
that cotton is cut off at least one-
tlnrd, by the great flood set in last
February and now on the increase—
that at least one-eighth less is planted,
it looks like one might venture to
predict 30 cents per pound next win
ter, but there is no telling. Cotton
is “ more fickle ” than a woman and
not hall so lovely, and much harder
to come at—Opelika Neoi Era.
From tlie Macon-.Tulegraph, June 30.
A negro lad about ILycars old, and
a servant, we believe, a“t tbe Lanier
■ti-ouse, was drowned yesterday after
noon about 4 o’clock, while in the
mer bathing, at the foot of Spring
street, where the colored people usu-r
_ u , W-r- —— people usuv
of the Northern masses, thev shall obtain ! an appeal is to made to the courta/fiy' oi - “ iud ; a ?. wen *»**w ur m a .u-r. al v do their htipti^iigi His body was
the direction of public ftffaiw, rcviyifv enjoin the execution of the lease. i point of cmraiscuurse is thviutiaence or early recovered m about one hour after the
i jwtM vAvvHuvu Ol vuu mwe, • Hutson our Clpracter. If we have a character that SCCldent. ■- >'A