Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-04-15


ing stride at this era in the history of the
world of politics, that we are translated from
the dim, star-M prison-house of despotism,
to the brilliant, glorious sun-lit land of liberty.
We pass over ages Of superstition in the
world of politics, in the formation Of our gov
ernment, and had it not been for the discove-
ry of this country, in all human probability,
truth and justice as it respects mans welfare
in government, would have been retarded for
ages. 1t was the safety-valve for that liber-
ty-loving spirit which infused those noble, far
sighted, heroic souls that came here and died
for liberty-to escape. We here literally COM
mend the practice of the theory of polit cs-
the principles of truth and justice laid down
in our constitution for practice. The theory
is the same as when given to Moses for the
government of the children of Israel; truth
and justice are immutable; but in their ap-
plication to the government of men, they
were so corrupted by superstition during sue
cessive ages, that they were very imperfectly
applied to human government; and it was
not until the reformation of Martin Luther
broke the slackles of superstition and despot-
ism, that the application of the principles
of politics revived.
But the old mist of superstition still hung
over the Nations of Europe; ignorance still
smouldered along; despotism was good fuel,
and when the principles in our constitution
were adopted, the good old immutable theory
of truth and justice, as it respects mans gov
erment, was successfully put in practice
Hence it remains for us, as individuals, COM
munities, States, and as Nation to demon
strate the political proposition, whether right
or justice, and truth-mans rights for in
stance-can be successfully applied to mans
government This is the proposition we are
demonstrating, daily, in Congress and at every
Presidential election, or whenever any nation
al question comes before the people. What
sublime problem! embracing the welfare
of every human being on this footstool. How
great the responsibility resting upon us I!
Great, because we are in advance of other
nations whose perhaps jealous eyes are turn
ed anxously upon us to mark our progress;
we are the pilots, leaving beacons of warning
on the rocks and shoals that we have narrow
ly escaped, that those who follow may be
guided safely.
To find the right is the end and aim of
politics, and as to the knowledge Of this right,
in its connection with politics, we only know
when we have found it by its effect; as ma
tion, when the subjects are in the free use and
enjoyment of their own property and rights
acithom interference. An interference from
any source, shows there is error somewhere,
which must be found and remedied. The
old maxim that "might makes right" has
nothing to do in the realm Of politics, be-
cause it does not admit of any right or JUS
tice. The strong nation may subdue the
weak and hold it in subsection for time, but
unless just political laws are administered
there is no guarantee Of lengthy subjuga-
ton.
But why do we make such slow progress
in arriving at the truth? Why are we con-
stantly discussing political questions that
were supposed to have been settled years
ago? Tariffs, banks, rivers and harbors, the
power of Congress, State rights, &C., are hob
bies at every session of Congress, and why
is it9
One reason is questions of such great mo-
ment can not be fully comprehended in all
their relations to individuals or States who are
affected by those laws; for they must first
be discussed, misunderstood, denied, enacted,
repealed, amended, re-discussed, re-enacted,
and so on, until they finally become laws, and
upon the introduction of new.law or system
it is more matter of opinion, consequentlyis
in measure experimental.
But when its application to the rights and
demands Of the people is seen to cause mur-
murings, and complaints, and, also, that their
rights and privileges are infringed upon, it
forces another examination, and an amend
ment or abolition is the result. This
cause for alteration proves conclmsiuely