Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-05-23
For the Waterman and Journal
CIVIL COVER NMENT- DEMOCRACY
HUMAN NATURE.-No.I /.

Is the right or authority of Civil Government, or
the source Of power in that Government, Of human,
or diutne origin? In other words, civil rulers
II c. the people, through their representatives, and
agents -selt-dependent, Independent, irresponsible
originators and administrators OF such Government;
or do they derive the right and authority Of such
Government from God, and administer the same in
dependence upon Him, and as subordinate agents,
accountable to Him? Still again-Are "the pow
ers that be of God" or of human creation: | am
fully aware, that very few, if any, of our civilians,
statesmen or mushroom politicians even, will deny
in theory-in ,cords at least, that we derive Civil
Government from God, and are consequently res
ponsible to Him for it But what does practice
what do actions, with many who now weld our po-
ltlcal destinies, proclaim on this point? They
have become so hostile to our theory, with many of
the politicians Of the day. as even to infringe on
the theory itself, in some cases. l. not long since,
heard learned Judge complaining of the doctrine
of eX President of his own party, for the prin-
ciples he had promulgated on the subject in hand
and with good reason, | thought, too How often
do we hear the sentiment, in these days, that "the
people are the SoVaeignS"-" the right of governing
belongs to the people," what the people do must
be right"--at any rate, the sober second thought
of the people neuer be tmong.' Are such state
ments strictly true? Are they sincere? Or are
they false in reality though true in appearance and
made recklcssly and designedly, to secure the a.
Dor of the people; while they, at the same time,
throw our Government? Here is a certain Rerie,c
in country, the organ of one of the great polit
ica parties, which has preached the same doctrine,
as understand the matter. Now the Judge, above
alluded to, made this objection and complaint
against the doctrine that evelled at the very
foundation of our religion SIN reiigion," said he,
"we hold to human deprauity as fundamental
doctrine, but in politics we hold to human perjec.
ton MS the very essence Of democracy" | had Just
uttered something to the same import, in CONVERSE
ton with the Judge, and was happily surprised to
find that he had been laying the same subject to
heart. But, said the conversation, who would trust
any of the citizens of this Union with the reins
Of government? Nobody. He is selfish, de
PRAYED, corrupt being, unworthy Of any kind O..
confidence And this would be said and Justly too,
of all the citizens of the Republic, Individually and
separately considered. Well then, what do you
obtain when you throw allthose individuals togeth-
er-lnould all these separate masses of corruption
into one? Is it mass of perfection? HiH the ag
gregate Of morally polluted millions be perfect pnrit
and erceilence? If it be said, that interest and cor
ruption will work against and nenraiiae interest an
corruption, and thus the machine of Government
revove evenly and perfectly, | ask what kind Of t
compliment is this to the people? and how does |
touch the question of right? CIvIs.