Americans used to know what this was, but we've forgotten.
Or, rather, we have been made to forget.
In this last phase we find it now. It has become a pulpit theme, and diverted the stream of religion from its course heavenward to the stormy sea of politics. It has ruined churches, ruined parties, and now it is ruining the whole country... led away the minds of those who had not philosophy enough to withstand its subtle influence, which, for the thirty years of the forty it has been in agitation, has been gradually undermining the constitution of the republic and the best interests and liberties of our people.
"When honest people say what's true, calmly & without embarrassment, they become powerful. At the same time the liars who've been trying to silence them, shrink. They become weaker... True things prevail. Where can you still find Americans saying true things? There aren't many places left, but there are some, and that's enough. As long as you can hear the words, there is hope."
Americans used to know what this was, but we've forgotten.
Or, rather, we have been made to forget.
In this last phase we find it now. It has become a pulpit theme, and diverted the stream of religion from its course heavenward to the stormy sea of politics. It has ruined churches, ruined parties, and now it is ruining the whole country... led away the minds of those who had not philosophy enough to withstand its subtle influence, which, for the thirty years of the forty it has been in agitation, has been gradually undermining the constitution of the republic and the best interests and liberties of our people.