We have too many silver statue church members who need melting down and sending out to help save our republic from the fate of other nations that have perished through their vices.  We need more men with moral courage to voice and vote their convictions.  When the slavery question was agitating the country Henry Clay stood for a compromise he believed would help to solve the question.  Many of his friends in the South censured him, and sent him letters calling him a traitor.  He arose in the Senate to speak, it is said, looking pale from the effect of the censure he was then receiving day by day.  Addressing the Senate he said:  “I suppose what I shall say in this address will cost me many dear friends.”  A reporter said:  “He hesitated as if choked with emotion at the thought of losing his friends.”  Then with the majesty of greatness and magnetism of manner he proceeded, saying:  “I am charged with being ambitious.  If I had listened to the soft whisperings of ambition I would have stood still, gazed upon the raging storm and let the ship of state drift on with the winds.  I seek no office at the cost of courage or conviction.  Pass this bill.  Restore affection to the states of this Union and I will go back to my Ashland home; there in its groves, on its lawns, ’mid my flocks and herds, and in the bosom of my family, I will find a sincerity I have not found in the public walks of life.  Yes, I am ambitious, but my ambition is that I may become the humble instrument in the hands of God, in restoring harmony to a distracted nation, and behold the glorious spectacle of a true, united happy and prosperous people.”

There is a grandeur in the mountain that lifts itself above the hamlets at its base, and bearing its brow to the threatening storm clouds says to the forked lightning, “Strike me!” but grander is the man who can stand ’mid the allurements of the world’s honors and say:  “I would rather be right than President.”  Dare to do right and what you do will have its reward.

“Shamgar, what’s that in thy hand?”

“Only an ox-goad.”

“Come dedicate it to God, and go slay those Philistines.”

“David, what’s that in thy hand?”

“Only a sling and a little stone from the brook.”

“Come dedicate them to God, and go kill the giant.”

“My little lad, what’s that you have?”

“Only five loaves and two little fishes.”

“Come, dedicate them to God; they’ll feed thousands and you will have baskets full left.”

My brother, what’s that in thy hand?  Only a little American ballot.  Come dedicate it to God and home and native land, go cast it against the licensed liquor traffic and your life will bear fruit which the angels will gather when you have “finished your course” and “kept the faith.”