Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-11-04
Indiana University.


Circular of the University of Indiana, comprising the
catalogue" &c. BY which we learn that the number
Of students in the several classes l63-a number
which evinces the prosperity of the institution. The
circular contains some other particulars of public
terest which we sha. hereafter note.
By the same mail we also received a copy of the
Baccaaureate addressed the students of the senior
class, at The late commencement, by ANDREW WYLIE,
d. D., the President of the University. We have
hastily run the pages Of this address, and with
than ordinary interest, it touches topics in
that spirit Of practical philosophy SO uncommon in ad-
dresses of the kind but much in accordance with our
own ideas Of propriety and usefulness. We should
no; perhaps, fully subscribe to every sentiment ex-
pressed in this address, have time at this
ment to specify points of difference they are of Sec
ondary Importance, however, and we are quite will
ling to give readers copous extracts leaving them
the exercise of untrammeled judgement as to the
doctrines and sentiments expressed.
We select the conclusion of the address, because it
applies TO the circumstances in which the nation is
now involved with Mexico,-and upon which, it is
important, in the highest degree. both with respect 10
our duty to God and man, that the people should have
just perceptions of their duty
We regret that good an address should be mar
red, this is, by gross typographical blunders and
worse printing.
Our extracts are follows
Nobody now believes in ''the divine right of kings"
But in rejecting this dogma may we not run into an
other extreme not less dangerous! Is there nothing
dirine in human government? Is Its authority deri-
we'd from the social compact, or only shaped and linn
tied by 1t! The Bible teaches that GOd is the foun-
tain whence all legitimate authority among has
been derived, and that it ought 10 be exercised
cOrdng TO that law, which, Cicero speaks, is mot
written but born,' eternal and nvariabe the supreme
law of right and reason, in which the Almighty Ru-
Ter of the Universe expressed his will, and in refer
ence to which, Burke, in his speech against Warren
Hastings, this glowing language: ''He have ar
bitrary power! My lords, the East India Company,
have not arbitrary power to give him; the King has
no arbitrary power to give hm your lordships have
not; nor the commons; nor the whole legislature
We have arbitrary power to give because arbitra-
ry power is thing which neither any man hold
nor any man can give No man can lawfully govern
himself according to his will, much less one
person be governed by the will of another We are
all born in subectiOn all born equally high and low,
governors and governed In subsection great,
mmutable pre-existcnt law, prior to all devices,
and prior 10 all our cOnlrvances, paramount 10 all our
IDEAS and all our sensations antccedent to our very
existence, by which knit and connected in the
eternal frame of the universe, out of which we cannot
STIR
Young gentlemen, advise you to remember what
you have here been taught this momentOus subject
and if you approve of it, teach it, your turn to
others. 1t Is this that government is to be regarded
with reverence, | will say with a religious reverence,
as being 'ordained of God TO interpret and execute
10 certain extent the eternal law of righteousness.
The subject has the right to interpret ii also. The
right is nalienable and cannot be surrendered. But
here is the difference. The presumption of right is
Arrays the side Of the Governments and the burden
Of proof to the contrary lies upon the subject. The
subject is bound to obey unless he show, that to
obey the Government would be TO transgress the Su-
preme law. Thai no authority can make lawful
Rather than that let death-et all that human cruelty
can intct-be endured. Let there be temple to JUS
tice in your hearts, my young friends Worship in it
continually and respect "the powers that be- but
not with blind respect them, but respect
justice more.
The voice that SAID, "Let there be light" said al
So Let there be civil governments IN the world TO be
for lights of salvation to men. When they do not
answer this end, they become extinct; they perish ;
the Almighty in his wrath destroys them; they des-
troy themselves. Mankind naturally respect JUSTICE
and love peace and when people, calling themselves
nation, turbulent and restless, committing wrongs
and violence among themselves and upon their neigh
bors-these neghbors say them, and after due for
bearance have right to say TO them, you are not
government but awless mob, and we will sweep
you Off as an intolerabe nuisance from the face of
the earth. War Is, indeed, the greatest of natural
evils But for government 10 suffer the claims of JUS
tice to be aside by violence, would be something
worse. Ii would be morally wrong. And in Il case
where justice and expedency both require it, nation
rising In arms to vindicaie its rights in the
of our Revolution, is a spectacle of moral grandeur
which is sometimes needed TO keep alive and in Its
vigor a sense of justice in the minds of men.
On some occasion the gallant Decatur offered
toast something like this: sour country In her
transactions with foreign nations, may she always
be in the right but, Our country, right wrong"
Taking it altogether, the last clause being mltgated
by the first, this not unworthy the patriot
and hero who offered it, and particularly becoming in
him as an officer of the Navy. But though sailors
and soldiers may be excused from Judging of the JUS
tce of the acts and policy of the government, the
citizens are not But the toast has been spoiled for
con, enence the first and purest part of it has been
dropped the last only having been adopted into use
which, taken alone, and by ITSELF expresses a senti-
meut fit only for tie mouth of the AFFECT slave OF ar
bitrary power, who has higher rule of action than
the will of master. But, s'Our country, right or
wrong" is sentiment adverse to patriotism ii
Is TO Justice He best loves his country who is most
anxious that she be always IN the right and does the
most to effect this object, knowing that whenever, in
her general of policy, sine places herself in OPP
position to right, she is on the way to ruin.
The citizens of this Union are placed under the
most solemn responsibilities The government is in
their own hands, and they are bound TO take care
that its measure, be just and right That they may
discharge this obligation, much knowledge and con-
slant vigilance necessary. The obligation increas-
es with our national growth, which is rapid beyond
example Since our beginning as a nation three
fourths of century have not yet elapsed, and we
have already attained to degree of greatness aud
power surpassed by but two three of the Oldest and
most prosperous kingdoms of the world. Let justice