Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-03-24

What is State What is the true idea of gov
eminent What the rights, duties and power,
Of people
These are important questions and not easy to be
answered. What hav" to Guy will be but an attempt
to answer in the hope that others may be induced to
examine the subject more fully.
A state may be said to be section Of country in
habied by people acting in concert and organizing
a governments by virtue Of their original powers.
France and Portugal, Russia and Liberia are all
States but differing greatly in extent and numbers.
Hence extent of territory and population not
necessary elements in the definition England ia
State but Canada is province, and by thi. we see
that organization by virtue Of orr snal power. i, an
element. In the United States our complex govern
ments exhibit another feature giving rise to some
difficulty of understanding them and serious diiTe-
rences Of opinion. The difficulty however is solved
by considering the people members of two govern
ments, each organized by delogatng certain specified
powers for definite objects. The several States
formed by the union of people inhabting sections,
and the " United States" by the union of all the
people Of all the sections. In each the people act
by virtue Of original powers. and the several gov
ernments though supreme and independent are limited
by the powers delegated. The consequence is that
the several governments are enabled to act harmo-
niously, blending their powers but not coming in
collision with each other,
From the practical working Of our complex system
we obtain tho best idea of government. Vermont
is State, but it acts by derivaive authority from
the United states nor any other State. In like
manner the " United States" is State deriving its
authority from the people Of all the sections acting
as Spy II tlpir
corporate capacities. Each government is or
ganizaon to carry into practical operation certain
principles deemed necessary to effect definite objects
Hence we may assume definition that gopcyn-
m'u IS an instrument IN N, hands Of the pcpie IA ob.
tai" certain ptc!fd oyeas.
These objects will be such as the people consider
necessary to secure to them happiness and prosperity
aud will be lofty and elevated low and grovclng
as is the standard of the people in intellectual and
moral cultivation and elevation of purpose. Put
happiness and prosperity always results They
are consequences flowing from causes the streams
from their fountains. The investigation of these
causes would be interesting. but must be omitted
and the result only stated. The development of
mans nature as excmpfcd in the highest culti,a-
tion Of his bodily, intellectual and moral powers is
the true source where flow his happiness and pros
rcritv 1t requires but little consideration to per-
ccNc that in hi, Development of mans nature one
thing is indis pcnsiblo, Lbo7y. 1t is the chci M
grcdicnt, the first requisite the nlis ensiblc clc-
ment. Without liberty there be no happiness
nor prosperity. We arrive then at this conclusion,
that to people who propose to thcmsclvc, happiness
and sufficiently elevated il the scale of intellec-
tual and moral improvement to perceive the true
source of such happiness, liberty is the first and
great object.
Liberty is mans birth right, the gift of God to
every intelligent creature and of which none can
be deprived by any ordinance of mnn', invention
Liberty i-a word of large import implying all that
man legally enjoy and all that he can rightrully
do. For tho purpose, Of this enquiry it may be said
to he the opposite Of Slavery Slavery being the
CATION OF liberty darkness is cf the day, Liberty
is oil tboot n society, hi'in. it, foundation in
social organization and ,,is,ius onl, when men act
together in concert members Of q .rptl contract.
II is great mistake to suppose that liberty is
Synonymous with freedom from all control. Mani,
subject to control continually, by the law Of hi,
being, by the organization Of lIs nature Il. n social
being and by the law # God clearly Indicating that
meu must live together in social intercourse as
members OF society. The isht Of each is limited ly
the rights Of all othors aud is subscuent t. tina,
organization OF sooisty which seek. the Development
Of mans nature by the sitautuent Of the hi.l..st
perfection.
That government IL best. which I, bet adapted TO
secure tho object Of all government, In tis point
n view republican go, crnmcut {, prc-culucut.
every citizen b'ns dali, called to cou ileiutin ur
facts and principle involving the peace, haplirc,,
of nom .-ttf