THANKSGIVING SERMON. 15 These loyal states have acquired wealth, sometimes dishonestly and wickedly, but for the most part by honest industry, severe economy, useful arts and inventions, and therefore we glory in it. We have repudiated the aristocracy of hereditary descent, and hereditary place and titles, but we are no strangers to the aristocracy of wealth. With gratitude to the Father of lights, we acknowledge we are a rich nation. Such are our facilities for the attainment of wealth, and such the bounty of divine Providence, that our merchants are as the princes of Tyre. We “have made haste to be rich.” Early and late, in season and out of season, the strongest faculties of body and mind, with a directness of purpose, and an energy, an intensity of action, have been directed to the acquisition of wealth. Gold may well be called the Moloch of the land. It is a king whose court none can approach without paying homage. With unblushing effrontery it makes its way to the ballot-box, and gives its impulse to the rough machinery of our popular elections. The Shibboleth of party rings through its halls, and even sworn legislators worship at its altars; and what is worse, justice, the last refuge of society, and
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