New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-10-20
kepubIican institutes of Moses.

Prof WINEs's fifth Lecture was delivered We'd
nosday evening at the Clinton Hall He took
graphic survey Of the leading characteristics OF the
Mosaic economy pointing them out with grea, clear
ness and force He viewed the whole Amer
can citizen. and seemed to dwell with equal pride
and pleasure the close analogy Of its leading iea
lures to thoae Of our own happy Constitution.
The absolute political equality of the citizens could
not but give the state strong republican direction
Nor should we be surprised that under the guidance
of that Aliwise Being who il respecior OF persons
Moses established a democracy rather than mon
archy.
Each of the twelve tribes formed n separate state
with Legislature and Supreme Court OF IT, owl 3
Vet there was real aud vigorous general g0reru
meHf whose Congress met nj Jerusalem. The style
of the nation might with prOprety have been Do The
ntcd States of israel" There were four depart
menis of the gOvernmcni-ihe Chief Magistrate. the
Senate OF Israel, the Oracle, the Congregation Of
Israel which was the popular branch. The form OF
"A legal enactment might have run thus he II
enacted by the Congregation of Israel, the Senate
advising. the Judge presiding and the Oracle assent
ing" There was a National Court at Jerusalem. 10
which difficult causes were adjourned from the pro
vincial tribunals.
The Constitution of Moses both in substance and
form. was shown 10 be not only cmmenty republi
can, bat strikingly analogous to our own. Every
one. who examined both. must be impressed with
Bible. 4 constitutional and representative repub
lie then. is form of government originally stamped
with the divine approval Let Us hence, said ih'
Lecturer derive a new argument for chenshing the
precious charter Of our liberties. since its type and
model had been suggested by Infinite wisdom.
In his sixth lecture at Clinton Hall he showed
that the generally acknowledged completeness OF the
civil code of Moses, though given in an early and
dark age of the world incontroveriible evidence
that he was under Divine inspiration The Greek
and Roman laws. framed 900 years after were, M
comparison. exceedingly rude and ambiguous. The
simple Decaogue, delivered from Sinai. written by
the finger of God. contained, IN fact more inst max
inns of the highest importance TO man. than all the
ancient uninspirod codes combined.
The Hebrew laws for the prevention of any thing
Ike bribery, or partially, Were very emphatic
The parties TO a suit were expected 10 tell their own
story without the intervention OF attorneys and
;hus important causes often well disposed OF
in an hour. OF the employment OF advocates, theirs
was no trace In the Mosaic polity.
The patriarcha character of the Jewish code was
a prominent feature. The penalties for tlal dlsobe
Gience were strictly enforced The title 10 respect
and obedience from sons seems 10 have been ex
tended much beyond what is now deemed the age OF
maturity and independence, though, in reference TO
daughters their duty OF submission and allegiance
was transferred from the paren, 10 the husband.
The Mosaic code was shown 10 be peculiarly re-
markabe for guarding the rights Of the poor while
requiring of all industry and faithiulness The lee
turer concluded with a graphic and eloquent picture
of the humanity wisdom and magnanimiiy of the
Hebrew legislator and gave notice, that on Monday
evening he should among other topics consider the
policy OF Mose- in reference 10 marriage, divorce
and the prohibition interest on loans