The weekly Placer herald., 1855-06-23

lice. even in its educational and religious pro-
visions rigid order, but acting
only externally on the people, whom it treats
either as slaves or children. 1t does not di-
rectly develop the sense of responsibility in
them. nor accustom them to selfcontrol and
the exercise of their faculties. But in free
commonwealth, which abhor this excessive
centralizing tendency, and which distribute
power through subordinate municipalities,
leaving the individual as much discretion as
possible, the people are the State and grow
into each other as kind of living unity.
Thrown upon their own resources. they acquire
ouickness. skill, energy, and selfpoise; yet,
made responsible for the general interests.
they learn to deliberate, to exercise judgment.
to weigh the bearings of public questions, and
to act in reference to the public welfare. AT
the same time, the lists of preferment being
open to them they cultivate the virtues and
talents which will secure the confidence of
their neighbors. Every motive of honor and
ambition is addressed to them, to improve
their condition, and to perfect their endow-
ments; while consciousness of their conncc-
tion with the State imparts sense of personal
worth and dignity. In practice OF course,
some show themselves insensible to these con-
siderations. but majority do not. The con-
sequence is. that the commonalty of the repub-
lie are vastly superior to the same classes
abroad. Compare the farmers of our prairies
to the Doors of the Russian steppes, or to the
peasants of the French valleys! Or compare
the great body of the working men in England
with those of the United States Now che
American is not of better nature than the
Ehropean-for he is often of the same stock
nor is there any charm in our soil and climate
unknown to the soil and climate of the other
hemisphere: but there is difference in institu-
tions. Institutions, with us. are made for
men, and not men for the institutions 1t is
the Jury. the ballot-box the tree public assem-
blage, the local committee, the legislative
assembly, the place of trust and, as result
of these. the school and the newspaper which
give such a spur to our activities and endow
us with such political competence. The ac-
tual responsibilities of civil life are our sup
port and nutriment, and the wings wherewith
we fly.
If, consequently, you desire the foreigner
to grow into good citizen. you must subject
him to the influences by which good citizens
are made. Train him as You are yourselves
trained under the effective tutelage of the
regular routine and responsibility of politics.
He will never learn to swim by being kept
out of the water, any more than slave can
become free man in slavery. He gets used
to independence by the practice of it, as the
child gets used to walking by walking. 1t is
exercise alone that brings out and improves
all sorts of fitnesses-social as we'll as physical
and the living of any life alone teaches us
how it is to be best lived. Nor will any one
work for an end in which he and his have no
part. They only act for the community who
are of the community. Outsiders are always
riders. They stand or sit aloof. They have
o;o1 fo ho thrift
and order, which may get on as it can for all
them. But incorporate them into it, and it
is as dear as the apple of their eye. Choose
person selectman of the village, and he
conceives paternal regard for it instantly.
and max kes himself wondrOusly familiar with
its affairs, and their practical management.
Show rude fellow the possibility of place
in the police, and he begins to think how i'm
portant the execution of the law is. Hang
the awful dignity of seat in the Justices
bench before the ambition of country squire,
and strai ghtway he looks as wise as Lord
Eldon, and will strive to become so, rather
than otherwise. How the prospect, too. of a
winter at Albany or Washington stimulates
all the local notables into a capacity for it.
as we'll as desire. Thus, our whole political
experience is an incessant instruction, and
should no more be withdrawn from any class
in society than the atmosphere. 1t is prettily
told in that book of Eastern fables which de-
lights our youth and enriches our manhood
that the father of Aladdin Abushmet. lest he
should be hurt by the world, kept him under
a trap-door, where he was visited only by two
faithful slaves. But, pining and weary, the
young man one day stole from his retreat:
and running to his father who was syndc of
the merchants, said, "Oh, my father, how shall
| be able to manage the great wealth thou
hast gained for me, if thou keepest me here
in prison, and takest me not to the markets,
where may open shop. and sit among the
merchandise, buying and selling. and taking
and gving?" The father thought fora while,
and said, "True. my son; the will of God be
done; l will take thee to the market-street
and the shops" and we are told that Aladdin
Abushamet became, though not without some
slips, very rich man, as we'll as the right
hand of the great Calipb, Haroun Alraschid,
Prince of the Faithful, whose name be ever
exalted.
OPERATIONS OF THE MINT.-Dr Birdsall,