The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-12-25

and unmurmuring lips. Surely the enthusi-
asIn that sustained such men, under such cir
cumstances, was an enthusiasm that the good
and the brave might envy and admire.
Before leaving the vessel, complete po-
litical organization was effected, satisfactory
to oil. A constitution, or bill Of rights and
declaration OF purposes, Was agreed upon,
committed to writing and subscribed by oil.
That declaration, in its comprehensiveness
and spirit, is model for any age, and mar
vel for that. In the true and jus, sense OF
constitution, receiving the sanction OF all and
recognizing the rights Of oil, this was the first.
Ii rested upon the broad basis of "equal laws"
for the general good" In the cabin OF the
Mayfower popular constitutional liberty was
horn John Carver was unanimously chosen
Governor for the year. Their old Pastor. the
pious and faithful Robinson, did not sail with
his flock He was intending soon to follow !;
but ere preparation was complete, he depart
ed upon another voyage for brighter shore.
The church was placed under the care OF
Bradford and Brewster So that, so far as
organization and concert OF action was con-
cerned, in all that related to their civil and re-
ligious life, every thing was complete, perfect
W
upon the SHOWS of New England. The win
ter which followed was long and severe. The
building of houses at that Indictment season
was difficult The constant exposure created
colds and consumptions, and but halt the 1T
tie colony survived until spring. Their pro-
visions soon dwindled away, and it seemed
for period as though death by starvation was
inevitable. AT one time they were reduced
to pint Of parched corn, which gave to each
individual five kernels. Still their cheerful
trust in the mercics of Providence remained
mistaken. But the winter passed. The
summer came. The earth yielded its fruits.
Necessities were provided for, and happier
prospects and brighter days broke upon that
little band. They abored long, and diligently,
and they found what they thought was sue
cess. They were at peace. They worshiped
God in their own way. But at the end OF
ten years the colony had not increased to
| above three hundred souls. However, il was
a vigorous germ of the new civilization. 9th
ers of like sympathies were attracted hither,
in few years, and the career of the Puritans
in the new world opened upon broader scale.
There are two topics to which here de-
sire to direct attention, for they furnish the
key to the general spirit which has prevailed
in New England from the landing of the fore
fathers to the present day, and which will
continue to prevail so long us the seemingly
ineradicable influence Of the fathers exists
| mean the particular and authentic basis o.
the political and religious organizations es.
| tablished by the Plymouth colonists.
/ The nature of their primary constitution,
have already alluded to. 1t recognized nc
distinctions in community. All were equa
before the laws, IN respect of rank, OF rights
| and OF power A Governor was elected an
nualiy, by universal Suffrage. He was pow
erless, except he acted by consent of q couD
Gil, first of FIVE, afterwards OF seven, who were
selected as his advisers and assistants. Ii
| the council he had two votes For more thar
eighteen years " the whole body of the malt
inhabitants" constituted the legislature ant
when at last extent of territory rendered THU
practice announcement, the representation O
| the people was large. Supreme power wa,
lodged in the hands of the people. Not onl,
We're the Judges elected directly by them, bu
when they chose, as they generally did, npor
important occasions, both executive and iudic
ial questions were decided by popular vote
Such were the character and guarantees o.
popular civil liberty in the Old Colony.
| The character of their theology was equally
| free, within the recognized limits of author.
| ity. The foundation of the Government, was
human rights The foundation and sole an.
thority Of the Church, was the Bible. The
charge OF Robinson, as he babe adieu TO his
| flock at Delft-Haven, on the point of sailing,
explains their position specifically and clearly.
Let me read an extract from it: II charge
you, before God and his blessed angels, that
i,fi.
me follow the Lord Jesus Christ The Lord
has more truth yet to break forth out of his
holy word. | cannot sufficiently bewail the
condition of the reformed churches, who are
come to point in religion, and will go at
present no further than the instruments OF
their reformation. Luther and Calvin were
great and shining lights in their times, yet
they penetrated not into the whole counsel of
Cod. do beseech you, remember tits
an article of your covenant,--that you be
ready to receive whatever truth shall be made
known TO you from the written word of G cd. I"
II was in such spirit and upon such q
platform that the Old Colony commenced the
settlement and civilization Of New England.
The colony at Plymouth, however, did not
long comprise, either wholly or mainly, the
Puritan population of New England The
sentiments and influences which make up the
sum OF New England character did not all
spring from them. But the colonies which
succeeded, were prompted to emgrate by the
same spirit which they had been, partially
quickened thereto by the accounts which they
had transmitted to their friends in England,
Of their peace, their quiet progress, and the
hopes before them. The regulations among
their neighbors were not in detail identical
with their own. Yet they were nearly SO.
And whether in the religious faith and spirit
or in the political notions and practices OF
New England ut the present time, we should
endeavor to recognize the precepts and regu-
lations Of one colony or another, We should
be equally successful What New England
became. in civil and religious life, was not 20
much the consequence Of a compromise
among separate colonies, us of similar spirit
pervading the whole. Therefore, though il
is in particular honor of the settlers at Pym-
outh that Forefathers' Day is kept on the
22nd OF December,--the anniversary of their
landings-in the few remaining remarks which
! have to make, shall comprise among the
fathers all the early settlers who gave life
and form to New England character.
The general spirit Of their civil and religi-
Gus life have stated in stating that of the
Plymouth colonists. They were Jealous Of
the Capitalization of political power, and OF
n T. -