The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-07

an empire IN exchange for few thousand pounds, Of
on, u 70 S whether
ths love Of liberty was with him mere ssnnment or q
permanent reality A constitution iSr me projected
rated slowly and thoughtfuly with the active counsel
and aid Of Algernon sidney In the preamble Penn de-
srgn and bears relation 10 the outer - religion does 70
the inner man that government depends more upon
to evil t ut to the we'll dis
posed shield virtue to reward merit to foster art to
encourage learning that h men h are W, n and
also it 10 therefore sary for the stability of State
that the people be educated in noble thoughts and virtue
that vice will vtiate any form of civil power-while
side with passion against reason the form Of that power
cannot defend them from the
and towards Ssd 20 his
scheme Of government Ito support power in
with the people and to the people from the abuse
OF power that they be free by their just obedience and
the magistrates honorable by their just administration"
The constitution provided every guarantee for civil ber
shed graduated legislative system based upon general
sua age and the ballot Penn aimed to provide thereby
democratic basis leaving details to be filled time
events the public good rendered them necessary and
the public voice called for them and thus allowed the
poty to deveope itself in accordance with its
natural genius In fine, there permanently estab-
hshed in the infant colony equal laws popular control
all the powers of the State freedom of thought and
conscience sscredness of person and property election
by suffrage to public trust perfect equality Of political
and civil rights without difference OF rank or privileged
order The Indian was mildly dealt with and protected
''You are our brothers and we will live like brothers
with you. We win have broad path for you and to
Indian shall pass him by and say-he is an English
man; he is asleep let him alone. The path shall be
The foundation Of government perfect; the super
structure upon Il prospered and continues to prosper
Penn firmly believed that there is in human nature
virtue sufficient for self government. He trusted
that great thoughts consistently throughout at great
personal sacrifices to the in diligence and conscience
of free people and deceived The experiment
succeeded The reputation of its founder, widely known,
secured to the new colony hearty reception every
side There were already scattered Dutch and Swedish
emgrants within its borders New settlers focked in
crowds from Holland the countries Of the Rhine Wales
and every part Of England to enjoy its ample privileges and
the attention in this connection Penn far ahead Of
his age He actually carried into practice that which
the wses of his day hesitated to think OF seriously
and the prudens regarded visionary and dangerous
His institution of government by plan perfected at
the outset before thought had been reduced to
lily; unlike other American systems, which grew into
freedom by chance circumstance ! say it, without
fear OF contradiction-that William Penn the first
who planted free institutions this continent upon the
true and republican basis. The Puritan is not an
cep:ion He urni he'd indeed fit material for the pioneer
of UNEMPLOYED wilderness. Of iron frame, of strong
energy Of heart and purpose with capacity and acquire
ments of unbending principles in practice and theory
he was drilled to endure but not to forbear lie enter
tanned or understood liberty only in opposing tyran
ny. He took up its advocacy as eapon or shield
against oppression He did not plant in New England
there indeed, sturdy tree, which by forced process
by graftngproduced in time the right fruits. Would
Of auditors consent to live under thec
cratic rule, such that Of Plymouth Massachusetts,
Connecticut? On the other hand, could he desire
a better government than the enjoyed by the
first colcnists Of Pennsylvania have thus, but
in quite inadequate to the subject, traced
the public career of William Penn. / cannot-tne
will not allow me--follow into the relations OF
private life the tranquil Of his mild virtues son,
husband and friend. One of the forefathers of this
public Penn great example against
the fatal results Of the despotc spirit OF monopoly under
its political and religious impersonatons He employed
in favor Of truth justice and moderation all the arms
with which learning philosophy sober wit and literary
talent could furnish judicous zeal. He inveighed,
with enthusiastic energy and startling effect against the
crimes OF fanatcism and tyranny reprobating every
thing which bore the character Of oppression harshnes
or barbarity, whether in religion administration mo-
rails, or law He commanded kings warriors. priests
magistrates and the people, in the Of nature and
religion, 70 adopt their signal and watchword
-toleration-bumanity 1t remains to point The moral
of his careerthat ebodes the impressive advice
Of one inspired by nature to speak truly
BE just and fear not:
Let all the ends thou aim st at be thy countrys,
Thy Gods, and truths
The reading of this elaborate essay received with
great applause by the gentlemen present and Of
thanks having been proposed to Mr.. Devereux which
was seconded and carried unanimously, the meeting Sc
par ated