The Nevada journal., 1851-12-25

prerogative accorded to their RICH,
They came not for conquest no ma
tial array no glitter of aims, indicat,
he prevalent spirit of the age. TIL,
anne not seeking wealth. No gold,
yisions rose before them to invest wi
lelusive charms the land they sougI
While the New World was yet fres
and no burrows on its brow, the P|
grims came. Stern but triumpha|
was the conflict with nature. Lofty
purpose, unconquerable in resolutid
they were equal 10 the arduous strut
gle. and the boisterons sea, the ble:|
element and barren land, but invig\
rated their energies A hardy al
laborious race, they had ever bed
alike rosolute and determined, all
with bold hearts and strong hand
they laid the foundation of nati@
fabric.
! have briefly adverted to the ci
cumstances under which New En-
land was settled. The principles
government adopted by the Pilgrim
will not be unworthy of considerable
At the time the Pilgrims embark,
for the New World and previous, Ii
erty, civil or religious, was but litt
understood, and less enjoyed. II
naughty Tudor race, with its stroI
will and intellect, had broken down
the barriers against power that Il
English people had possessed, and b
little right in the land was recognize
save royal right. Peace and wa
reverence and religion were at Il
mercy Of the crown, and parliame
was but puppct at the touch of d
king. The inperious Henry the 81
when he denied the supremacy of d
pope, and set himself up as the he
of the church, did something for re-
gious liberty, although as despotic
his own domain as ever the pope hi
been. Yet, by this act he taught M
to question infallibility and divi
rights. The field of religious contr
versy was opened. The glory ofpop
dom and despotism began to fade awu
and for divine right, men began
look away from earth to heaven. IT
spirit of enquiry was abroad, never
be stifed, and independent churchd
and Independent religious sentimen
increased througout the land. Wi
the Tudors, past away that imperio,
will that so absolutely ruled the nd
ton, and the first Stuart, James the Is
weak, wavering, vain and frivolous, tho
claiming oil his predecessors prerogs
tives and powers, sunk the character d
king before the world, in the contem emp|
for the man. Rights were more boldlJ
asserted, and power more resolutely del
fed. "No bishop, no king" was a favo|
rite maxim of James. And he saw IN
the principles of the Puritans, danger I'd
the throne. Reputation of the bishop
he regarded MS hostility to the king.
But notwithstanding his fears, he had
no power to suppress what began to bd
a prevalent sentiment Of the day.
Controlled by no charter, and no pre-
negative. and no company, the Pilgrim
mind expanded by their independence
Of human power; and ere they left tho
Mayfl they catered into compact
signed by all the men, forty one, for thd
government of the colony, upon the prin]
ciple Of ''equal laws for the general
good Hero is the compact:
in the name of God amen. We
whose names are underwritten, the Ioy1
al subjects of our dread sovereign, king
james, having undertaken, for the glory
Of God, and advancement Of the Chris
tiaH faith and honor of our king and
country, voyage to plant the first cole.
ny in the northern parts of Virginia, do
by these presents solemnly and mutu-
ally, in the presence Of God, aud ofond
ancthor, covenant and combine our1
selves together, into civil body politicI
for our better ordering and preservation
and furthcrancc of the ends aforesaid !;
and by virtue hereof do enact, consti- !
tute and frame such just and equal
laws. ordinances, acts, constitutions and
Offices. from time to time, as shall bc|
thought most convenient for the gener1
ii rood Of the colony. Unto which wei
all due subsection and obedi- /
cncc."
Here is declared the great principle
that the will Of the majority shall rule !;
and the object of the compact, like the
constitution of the United States.l Wei
talk eloquently, and well we may, Of
Magma Charta rights, concessions to
naughty barons by tyrant king. buq
what were they to this government od
the people, where every man haa y
voice and vote, and equal rights were
by the most solemn sane
tions. Then and there were laid the
foundations of civil liberty. There they
established "a church without bishop,
a state without a king
Husbandmen of humble life and home
~ fnunded their constitu-