Butte record., 1856-07-19

!
and it is not in derogation Of his rights as
citizen. He needs not the stimulus of pc
cuniary reward or political promises to i'm
pei him to discharge the Obligations under
which he rests to himself and to his fellow
men. There are deeper and holier impulses
which prompt his action and direct his pur-
| poses. He knows full well that the relation
II men politically and socially demand
rom each some sacrifices, and therefore
5 wisdom indeed for him TO submit witt
graceful acquiescence to the absolute re-
Iuirements of human condition. Therefore
n referring to this subject we should be
particular to draw the proper distinction
between the principle contended for and the
results, or in other words, we should not
presume to undervaiue ,he principle be-
cause of the failure in its application
The Grecians as far back as the time of
Lycurgus understood the principle of popu-
lar rights. They did not develop it in the
degree which it has since attained. but they
gave sufficient evidence of their knowledge
uf 1t, to satisfy the mind of the nquircr that
such is really the case The laws which the
eminent Spartan referred to, caused to be-
come part and parcel of the national insti-
tutions conclusively proved tina: he too was
thoroughly versed in the science of politics,
'ANi AhN" bHC uPceSSlIleS OF
good government. He it was who secured
TO the people the benefits of the elective fran
chise. not as it is exercised in these days.
by ballot, but the popular will was expires
sed by word of mouth. 1t is related by Plu-
tarch that on an election of Senators, who
were necessary officers for the proper admin
'stration of the government, the names of
the most worthy citizens were mentioned
IN connection Herewith. On day specified
the people Were requ .sted to assemble in
the most desirable locality. Two or more
persons were then appointed to decide upon
the preference of the people, that is, they
were conducted into room near the place
of the assemblage, where they could neither
see nor be seen They had writing tables,
and as the name Of each candidate was an
nounced to the neighboring multitude, they
would designate the appreciation in which
he was held, by the number and loudness of
the shouts, without knowing for what par
ucular individual they were intended He
that had the most and loudest acclamations
was declared duly elected Thus it will be
seen, that even Lycurgus, that most frigid of
philosophers, was willing to accord to the peo-
pc the rights which he believed legit mately
belonged to them, although the power which
he possessed Mt that time, was of preem-
f HtbL anu HiDSL EXTRAORDINARY character.
And thus might refer to instances which
would at least instruct the patient hearer
in the knowledge that is transmitted to US
by the most valuable authority, to estab-
llsh the 'orce and correctness Of my position,
but II IS foreign TO my intention, and there
fore will dispense with it.
The propriety OF acknowledging the right
of the people to govern, has often been ques-
toned, although we will find that those who
have treated the subject have been biassed
by their predjudices to such an extent as to
render a fair disquisiten impossible. The
argument used is, that in a government
where the will o. the people is supreme,
there is more liability TO impusive haste
and undue precIpitancy in their action. but
this idea is glaringly false and erroneous
Where, ask, can be found in the whole range
OF history, instances Of popular tumult equal
to those that occur red under both the mon
archIcal and olgarchical COVE, nments of
Rome There were times when anarchy
reigned supreme throughout the length and
breadth Of that vast empire, when officers Of
the law were paralysed, and the laws conse-
queutly rendered nugatory and useless. Was
this the result Of misgovernment by the peo-
pie ? | apprehend not 1t was occasioncd
solely by the arrogance and assumption of
their rulers, who, transeending the bounds
of constitutional authority, precpitated the
condemnatory action of an enraged populace
Thus it will be perceived that those who
favor this most erroneous view of the sub
ject, can find no authority with which to
confront the truth or that rejecting men
will regard for moment
Whatever diversity of opinion may exist in
respect to the different forms Of government
their prominent characteristics, and their
adaptation to the necessities of man there
is doubtless general acquiescence in the
opinion, that all human laws should be
framed upon those moral tenets that are so
beautifully and tersely spoken of in the BIZ
BILE The sentiments there advanced seem
to be in consonance with a just and liberal
view Of our natures, and to strictly accord
with Divine intention.
1t has always appeared to my mind clear
and conclusive, that the only restriction
which God designed should be placed upon
mans action, was that which would sponta-
neously arise from thoroughly cultivated
moral sense, that sense should of course be
the offspring of Divine inspiration. No one
will deny the proposition, that our natural
inclinatiOus are good and pure; out ii is the
perver,iOn of these faculties by contact
with the difficulties and trials of the world
that constitutes the almost incalculable
change and while it is impossible under the
existence of thirgs to attain perfection and
to obtain the utmost of our desires, vet it is
our duty to conform as nearly TO the de-
mands of our moral sense as is within the
range of possibility.
An eminent French historian has said that
''religious intolerance will always ally itself
with the passions of man, however different
those passions may" 1t is oftentimes the
case too with political intolerance. The
history of France presents a field for COM
ment. Comparatively speaking, but a few
short months since and Frances capital was
resounding with the cries Of rire la France,
rire la Repu6Iique! The claims of royalty
upon the fealty Of its Inhabitants were un-
recognized, aud there WAS a general acqui-
escence in the demands of the popular will
A revolution however is soon wrought in
popular sentiment, and we now find the
/ French throne occupied by member of a
( once repudiated dynasty, robed in imperial
| purple and welding the sceptre OF sovereign
/ ty with more vigorous hand than did ever
| the illustrious person whose name and title
/ be iuherits Nor is this all: the French
! people are at this time perhaps engaged in
/ chanting Te Detsms on the occasion OF the
| advent of Ia fl de France, doubtless imagin-
| ing that an era has dawned which will dissi-
| pate the peculiar cloud that for years has
I been lowering and threatening their nation
4 al existence
| Ny previous remarks have been designed
| to establish what ! conceive TO be the fact
/ that the love of liberty is innate in the hu-
| man breast, and furthermore that the people
( of almost every age have made the effort at