The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-06-29


wisdom which enabled them to conceive, com
bine, and ordain the true principles of freedom
And does he not delight in all the equal prlvlle
ges just laws, peaceable tendencies, and great adj
vances, in individual and national improvement
which our free institutions have nourshed, anG
which, If our freedom is preserved, they Will en-
large and perpetuate! So long as religion is So
ciaI and has for its fundamental affections love 10
God, and love to man, it cannot fail TO rejoice in
those political measures and Institutions which
are most essential to the security, improvement
and welfare of man.
| 1t has ,rcome fashionable with many of late, to
degrade the word political into signifcation mar
row, sordid groveling selfish, and personal. This
is because those, who have chiefly controlled po-
litical action, have betrayed it TO services charac-
may have much higher meaning; and must be
practically restored to its best significance, or the
memory of our fathers and the hopes of their chill
dren will perish.
All men are endowed with rights and powers,
and subjected to obligations, by their Maker The
performance of these obligations is religion, and
promotes the glory Of God. Among them very
large proportion have reference to society.
We come into the world under the most bind
ing and sacred social relations. And the scrip
lures teach us, that all men constitute one family
and are mutually under all the obligations Of one
brotherhood. Moreover, they especially require
obedience to Rulers as the Ministers of God. To
associate together then, is among our highest OBJ
legations. From the diversity of moral character,
intelligence, interest," and pursuit, among men,
different convictions, purposes, and means will al
ways exist. And these will ever make it neces-
sary, in the formation of societies. to specify OBJ
jects, rules, and authorities Our nation is bless
IL Al
it should always be done in conformity with the
law of God. When it is so done, obedience is
religion. When it is not so done, religion re-
qures-not that it should be let alone, but that it
should be amended and brought into this confor-
nifty But the definition statement adoption, and
administration of these rules and authorities for
the promotion of these objects in society, con-
trolling the persons, services, and outward means
of all its members makes up the definition of CIV
il government. Civil Government iesynoninous
with civil polity. And all deliberations confer
ence, discussion, and effort, TO establish and carry
on such government, is properly political action.
Political action produces consequences of wide
and lasting import, and demands for the accom-
piishment of its just purposes, sagacity of mind,
purity of heart, self-contro, and disinterestedness
equal to that which is involved in any other course
of active piety. Let not political action then be
looked upon with aversion, or neglected by any
portion of the servants of God.
But all governments are, eventually, to be con-
verted to christianity, as all men are to be. AT
ter such conversion, will political action be no lon
ger necessary? Will there be no differences Of
character, intelligence, interest, and purpose, rem
dering specification of objects, rules, and author
tiles necessary among the holy, in their associa-
tons! We believe that such differences will ex
list forever-tha political action will be perpetual
ly necessary-that the doctrine of the equal and
inalienabe rights Of men, is christian doctrine to
be eternally applied to human associations-that
the men who first made this doctrine the basis of
civil government are worthy of immortal honor
and that the fourth Of July should be commence
rated longer than the sun and moon shall endure.
But what is the proper way of concentrating
it? Certainly not that which brings much noise,
expense, or danger. There should be no accom-
paninent of ardent Spirits at any time; nor of
gun-powder, in time of peace. The most preva-
lent causes of that neglect of the day, which we
have often regretted to witness, undoubtedly
to be found in the intemperance and casualties
produced by spirits and gun-powder, in its Gus
tomary celebration. But instead of being driven,
by these causes, from bestowing deserved and use
full honor upon the day, men of gravity and infu-
ence should have dsabuscd its celebration of these
1t was not day distinguished
for military counsels or. achievements 1t was un
marked by blood; and free from the degradation
of ebriety. The rights of man, the principles of
freedom, the means of security, peace, and i'm
provement to individuals, their families, the whole
nation, and the race of man, then, absorbed all
minds. More wounds, and deaths, and suferings
have marked its celebration, in our country, at
each successive year, since SO, than distinguish
ed it's original conservation to humanity; and they
have cast some clouds upon its essential glory
But these clouds are disappearing. More men Of
high character are coming out every year, to pay
it a just homage Intelligence piety, age, and
both the sexes, are lately joining more extensive
ly in its ceremonies. This we consider as great
reform, and emnently becoming.
But this REFORM in the manner of its celebra-
ton, is not yet perfect. 1t has been aided by sub
shutting, in some places, other high and valuable
purposes to the true and great one which should
govern all its occurrences. To encourage proper
efforts, to sustain well-founded chart-
able institutions, to promote temperance, though
high and holy objects all of them, seem to us not
the most appropriate purpose ofcelebrating the 4h
of July. Whatever is most appropriate is most
useful That day was especially signazed by
the clearest assertion of free principles, and the
resolution to maintain them ever formed
.