as the rivers of Eden, when our youth shall be untainted with this appetite, and our men shall not err through strong drink. May that hour soon break upon the waiting realm, and National Prohibition of all that can intoxicate deliver our land from its last and heaviest burden.

Not a few other blessings wait on the coming hours. As clouds of angel faces surround the heads of victor saints, misty yet distinct in beauty, so do clouds of reformis, the faces of the true angels, messengers of God to man, encompass the victor President.

Black were the clouds about the head of Lincoln when first he became the head of the nation. A winter storm of darkness and death beat upon his head. How dark, how dreadful that hour! The flush of morning joy at his success was instantly extinguished in the sulphurous folds, shooting lightnings, rumbling thunders, portending ruin. How sadly, wearisomely, patiently did he wade through the sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them. A slightly brighter cloud encompassed the last election. Still it was a dreary mixture of light and darkness. Grant was still held at bay before Richmond. Sherman yet lay in the heart of the enemy's country, and the march to the sea was but a crazy dream of those two generals, as it seemed to loyal and rebel minds. Thomas had scarcely relieved Nashville of its beleaguered hosts. Gold still hung high above the hundreds. Europe still believed and hoped that Jefferson Davis had created a nation. Mexico was still a principality of France. Charleston was the same haughty hold of slavedom. Mobile snarled defiance from all her forts at all our fleets. Lee was still the bepraised general, far before Grant, in English and in rebel judgments. Slaves were still held by the millions in every State, from Kentucky, by way of Virginia and the sea-line, up to Arkansas. Our poor boys were still rotting to death by the thousands at Andersonville and in the Libby Prison. Much had been done; but all would be lost were

not much more done. His reëlection was but a pledge, a sign of pluck, a charge on the enemy's lines, a determination never to submit or yield till the victory, how far soever distant, should be attained. To-day all this is past; and the new heavens open around us in abundant light. American ideas are breaking in pieces all nations. They have invaded England, and elected the first People's Parliament that ever sat in her realm; they have overrun Germany, and unified that long disparted nation; they have entered Spain, overturned the Inquisition, driven forth a ruler whose seat had been held by her family for three hundred years, and probably in some line of her blood for a far longer time, and are even now discussing the establishment of the Republic of Iberia. The British Provinces have organized a nationality which is a precursor of their admission into the greater nationality of America. Mexico has expelled Napoleon, and sustains her own independence, preparatory to her absorption into our domain.

In enterprise the world is also careering like a ship before the wind. The girdle of the nation will belt her zone before another year, and our President enter the Pacific cities the longest journey ever made by the head of a nation through its territory. The South will be filled with peaceful, loving, laboring populations. Emigration will set in from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the islands of the sea; and the world make gigantic strides to the glory and calm of the millennial year.

To this work, and honor, and reward may all be devoted. Let Christ abolish sin from your souls, of whatever sort, by His indwelling grace. Let your heart become His peaceful realm, with its every passion, thought, and purpose subject to His sway. Labor by every word and work to make all other hearts equally perfect. Strive to bring the laws of society into subjection to His control. Root up the gnarled

tusks of prejudice. Toil cheerfully, hopefully, faithfully, to bring in the Grand Sabbatic Year, the Jubilee of Heaven.

"The visions seen far off, and sang of old

By holy seers and prophets, grasped by faith,

And longed for, though the half could ne'er be told

In language, nor by hope itself conceived,

Will have accomplishment,

a waking bliss,

The rest foreshadowed by the Church of God,
The golden dawn of Everlasting Day.”

AFTER a struggle of over seven months, the bill for the rendition of fugitives passed Congress, September 13, 1850. It was the first act of the national government in avowed support of the institution of slavery, after the great debate had sprung up. Its previous laws of this sort had been enacted in the state of darkness that had beclouded the popular mind concerning the duty. In the conflict that had been raging for nearly twenty years, the slave power had met with sympathy from the general government, in its refusal to receive petitions, in the attempt to purge the mails of what were called "incendiary publications," and in other minor expressions of hostility to abolitionism. But it had never done anything in direct support of slavery. This act was of that char

acter.

It immediately caused intense excitement in all the Free States, and the question of the prerogatives of law was universally discussed. Pulpits defended not this act especially, but the duty of obeying every act of legislation, as the only foundation upon which society could exist. They also in all cases apologized for, and in most cases defended, the system of slavery. Among many others, two sermons, setting forth this view with much acuteness, were published in the "Journal of Commerce." The public mind was made timid by these warnings and pleadings, and the cause of humanity seemed in danger of destruction through fear of touching the sacred ark of law.

But God raised up many defenders of His imperilled cause. Pulpit contended with pulpit, press with press. Out of the conflict the public conscience grew to a clear perception of the principle, that that law only can be law, in its true sovereignty, which embodies the conscience of man and dwells in the bosom of God.

II.

THE ASSAULT ON CHARLES SUMNER. - (Page 57.)

The Nebraska Bill brought forth fruit after its kind. Conceived in iniquity, it bred civil war. The seat of this war was in the southern territory of Kansas, though the act that inaugurated it was known by the name of the upper territory of Nebraska. As the compromise repeal was not followed immediately by an enactment recognizing slavery as existent in these dependencies, it was evident that if the North should first settle the territory, she would have some chance to shape its character. Emigrant Aid Societies were, therefore, established, and every appliance put in force to stimulate immigration. Bold leaders guided bold followers to the first battle-field in America, where blood mingled freely with the ballot as an arbiter in the strife. Heroes sprang up almost autochthonous. Men never known before became known forever, of whom John Brown, the martyr of Virginia, was by far the chief. The slave power poured in their men; but, as in all the subsequent contests, so then, they could not equal the friends of freedom in numbers. The aid of the national government, and their savagery, made up for their lack of numbers. The administration constantly favored their cause, decided their minority constitution, which established slavery, alone authentic, and endeavored to force her admission into Congress on that basis. This was fiercely opposed, and by the vigor and daring of the antislavery leaders, was successfully resisted. May 19, 1856, Charles Sumner, Senator from Massachusetts, delivered a masterly oration upon the course of the government and the slave power. This freedom of speech, it was felt, was harming the cause of the slaveholders. He must be punished, and it suppressed. So with the knowledge and in the presence of their leader, Senator Douglas, who was then expecting the nomination to the Presidency, on May 22 an assault was made on Mr. Sumner, as he sat at his desk, writing, by Preston C. Brooks, a member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina. About fifteen very severe blows were inflicted on his head. He pulled up his seat in his endeavors to escape his would-be assassin. He was nearly killed, and for several years was unable to do any public service.

The country instinctively felt that this was a new step in the march of the iniquity. It had defrauded the Territories of their rights. It now sought to extinguish all State equality. For if freedom of debate in Congress was suppressed, all State rights were practically annihilated. Only as the slave power allowed would any State presume to act. The "United States" ceased to be, and an oligarchy became the