Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-04-15
MIR. HUNTINTS LECTURE.
Delivered before the Grand Haven Lyceuna
Monday evening, March 80, 1857.
Subject--The Theory G. Practice Of Politics

Monday evening, March 80, 1857.
Subject The Theory & Practice of Politics.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: By invitation | appear
this evening to interest, as much as my abili-
ties viii permit, for few moments, this Ly-
ceum and this intelligent audience. The dis
cussions in the Lyceum, from time to time, du-
ring the past winter, have been interesting and
profitable; latent powers of intellect of no
mean order, have been developed in minds
that have formerly been, apparently, dormant,
and We have experienced that truly intellect
ua enjoyment, on spirited occasions, that is
peculiar to the proper exercise of mind-the
immortal part of man-the man proper. In
closing, for the present, this series of discuss
ions, by lecture, l most cheerfully acknowl-
edge the honor conferred upon me by the
Lyceum.
The "THEoRY and PRACTICE of PoLITIcs"
is subject in which we are all deeply inter-
ested, at the present day, and, although it
involves some Of the highest interests of eve
ry son and daughter of Adam, we perhaps
give il the least attention.
The majority Of the present day pursue
their daily avocatons from week to week,
month to month, and year to year, until they
measure out their three score years and
ten" perhaps, and pass oil the stage of action
for others to act their part in the drama of
lfe-unmindful of the great principles fright
and wrong, which constitute the foundation
upon which our government is established.
In this ignorance lies the grand cause of the
corruption and superstition which exist SO ex-
tensively in our country, and produced such
deep agitation during the few last Pres
idential campaigns.
WEBSTER defines politics to be, "The sci
ence Of government; that part of ethics
which consists in the regulation and govern
ment of Nation, or State, for the preserva-
ton of its safety, peace, and prosperity; COM
pretending the defence Of its existence and
rights against foreign control or conquest,
the augmentation of its strength and resour
ces, and the protection of its citizens in their
rights, with the preservation and improve
ment of their morals"
In this we have concise, comprehensive
and pointed definition, embracing the theory
perfectly, and if practiced with that degree
of perfection that individuals and nations are
capable of doing, would result in the highest
degree of happiness that it is possible for
man to arrive at on earth. This definition,
reduced down to its germ, would refer to the
rights Of individuals, and its object, to find
laws, or make laws relative to the interference
of individuals.
The first great principles of politics given
to man for guide and practice, of which we
have any record, are contained in that great
DEcALoeUE, delivered to Moses and a tre,nb.
ling and awe stricken multitude, upon Mount
Sinai. Whatever governments have existed
since that time, and in whatever form, have
only made their subjects happy and prosper
Gus in proportion as they approximated to
the perfection Of the practice of the fundanen-
tai principles therein embodied, viz: "Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as tbyself; do unto
others as you would they should do unto you."
In other words, respect your neighbor's rights
let your actions be guided by truth and JUS
tice. AS this is the realm Of politics, theo-
retically, and as practice is always subsequent
to theory, and truth, right or justice is the
germ Of politics we shall eventually arrive to
and discover the right. Superstition, nfdel-
ity, despotism, and personal ambition, must
give way before we can hope to arrive at that
happy point, for if we return to the ancient
history of Greece and Rome, for instance,
and follow that with the history Of Europe
and other nations, through the crusades, and
down to the present time, we will find the
condition Of man improved in proportion to
their removal. Then to look at the history
of our country; the desperate and triumph
ant struggle for right; the rivers of blood,
shed to water that tree Of liberty, whose
branches bore the blossoms of truth and JUS
tce, and are now bringing forth the fruit