The Nevada journal., 1851-12-25


The entire sacrifice of their own individ-
uaiity. The civil struggles which occa-
sionalqy occurred and the concessions
made. involved the position of the king
awa barons chiefly. When the Pilgrims
came to these shores, they could find in
the whole wide field Of English history,
no precedents for such equality as they
recognized and instituted. But free
dom Of discussion and Independence Of
Thought, when once INDUCED, can never
he suppre, sed. When adopted in rela-
,tion to one subject they will sooner or
Deter be extended to others. In all the
experience Of the world, religion, or re-
|ligious prcten>ion, has been more exact
ing Of submission and implicit obedience
than has been civil governments. 1t
has thrown over itself more solemn
sanctions, and welded moro terrSr in
the restraint of its disciples. Therefore
when once men have escaped from such
servitude, they are no longer ft subjects
fsr blind obedience in other respects.
Those whom the frowns Of spiritual pow
or cannot awe, no temporal tyranny can
reach. Therefore it was that Elizabeth
and James regarded the Puritans rs hos
sile and dangerous to the throne. The
livine right Of the bishop denied, whore
vas the divine right Of the king, "You
ire aiming at q Scots presbytery,' said
anaes, (which agrees with monarchy,
q we'll rs Col and the devil" No
Manifestations Of hostility to the crown
I'd, at that time, been made by the Puri-
ans; bat their tendencies were revealed in
Subsequent reign when the monarch and
he noble went down IN the conflict with the
'uritan, aad institutions hoary with ccntu-
les, privilege and prcrogative, were swept
way before those stern men. The equaii-
7 ofinstitutions established by the Pilgrims,
o doubt to great extent, grew out of their
:ligious independence. They alleged the
cw Testament to be their only and suffi
cnt guide, and no where else could they
nd arrogance and pretcnsion so much re-
aked, or the equality of man SO effectually
ught. And thus, when they came to form
government, a brotherhood, fov sacred pur-
Dscs it could not well be otherwise than .
otherhoed for civil purposes. How could
ey read that sermon on the mount, and
Tin conformity with its spirit without &C.
riding to each one the same rights and
ivilegss. with what measure ye meet
shall be measu rcd to you again" What
,vcr ye would that men should do to you
yc even so to them" For eighteen years
,wholc body Of male inhabitants participa-
equally in legislation. Anothes reason
the character of their civil institMtions,
doubt would be found in their mutual
,cndcnce. In the occupation and settlc-
mt OF new land, mon are thrown back
IN their original rights, and common
nts, and common struggles, are the stron-
{ bonds Of brotherhood. The vain dis.
;tions OF lilo have here no worth. Brave
;rts and strong arms are required to sub
new world, and old forms and old fal-
es give way before the s,crn realities of
The freshness and fullness Of nature,
CIV to certain extent, the soul, and away
n the forRaltiss and conventionalities
ocicty, its tricks and trappings have but
meaning. A truer perception of the
lions OF individuals arises, and man falls
upon freedom and equality, as being
natural position. Then il needs no
rseilles Hymn to reveal to him the truth
man is man, and who is more!" The
timcnt is in his heart. And where there
igaity in labor and Sin the innocent trade
lusbandry,' there will men rise superior
he accidents and artificial distinctions OF
basing their merits upon truth to their
ies, maintaining equality us the gilt Of
d. There is something enabling too in
acquisition of New World. Those
first occupy it are TO give to it perma..
1 1t elevation, Individuality stands prom
ntly forth, and each man feels that in him
4 he germ Of the future nation. A sense of
mt responsibility is closely allied TO great
'ughts and deeds Men feel that it is their
"A behcst to originate, not assimilate
ere the mind spreads itself out over the
scent and future, and in view of the wide
I, OF operations before it, is inspired with
seRergies and higher motives. We can.
but conclude that the Pilgrims were open
such influences as these. A wide domain,
srudenesS OF nature, the primcval forests.
onely sea, all, likewise served TO nourish
tfeeling Of frate rnity, and spirit OF inde-
idencc that marked their life. To say
they committed no errors would be to
they were not men. That they com.
ed rs many virtues with as few vices as
rdid any class Of men, who can deny.
ough Of lowly life, subjected to poverty
| persecution, they proclaimed principles
, civil and religious liberty, that we're un-
)wn then and now, in their own land
ncples Of uudying efficacy and wsrth,
ich TO abandon would be TO abandon the
= Vt Of that which constitutes the greatness
glory OF state.
tis true, that in after years the Pu.
.as Of New England were guilty Of
ieparture from their own princi-
8. Not at oil times sufficiently
/ aprehensive in their views, the
| at truths which constituted their
strength and glory were not al.
~ reeollected in relation to others
1t was not the Pilgrim Fathers who
e responsible for the persecution of
,er Williams This error lies at the
of another colony, less subdued
afiiction, less trained in the severe
pol Of adversely, more aristocratic in
! tendencies more intolorant in its
timents. Yet notwithstanding this