The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-05-12

: characteTl@aS the reiormatOry age II the
:. struggle be fair can the victory be doubtful;
+ As to religious fanatici>m. it viii prosper uu-
. der oppression; il wiIl feed on prosecution; il
q wiA grow strong BY prescription; bur il is
pOwerlesS against genuine democracy. Ap-
plsuse, Il may indulge in shortlived freaks
OF passion, or in willy intrigues. but il will
! die Of itself, for lis lungs are not adapted TO
breathe the atmosphere OF liberty. Prolong-
ed applause. Il Is ike the shark Of the sea
drag hlm into the air. and the monster will
perhaps struggle tcaEiully, and frighten timid
people with the powerful blows Of his tail,
and the terrible array OF his teeth; but leave
him qaletly 10 die sul he will die Hearty
applause But engage with him in hand
TO hand struggle. even then, and the last OF
his convulsloas may fatally punish Your rash
attempt. Against fanatcism genuine democ-
racv wieltS Irresistible weapou-it is Toi-
GRAFTON federation will not strike down the
fanatic but it will quietly and gently disarm
him. Bl; fight fanat;cism sritb fanaticism,
and You Hill restore Ii to lis own congenial
element. Il is like Antseus who gained
strength when touching his native earth.
Whoever reads the history OF this country
calmly anl thoroughly cannot but discover
tha: religious liberty is slowly but steadily
roofing ol, the elements of superstition, and
even ct prejudice L has dissolved the war
OF secrets, OF which persecution was chsrac-
terStlc into a contest of abstract opinions
watcd creates convictions without oppresSinr
man BY recognizing perfect freedom of in
qujry. it VIII en- gender among men OF differ
ent belief that respect of true convictions,
which makes inquiry earnest and discussion
ialr. 1t will recog gnIza as supremsly iuyiola-
bic, what Roger Williams. one of the most
luminous stars OF the American sky, called the
Ft4atR q
aud add the thousands and thousands of RI
minis:s and their ofsprings together. who
from the first establishment of the colonies
gradually came 20 this country, aud the sum
Will amount 10 many millions; compare that
number with the number of Romanists who
are now here. aud you will find that millions
are missing. Where are they? You did
not kill them, you did not drive them away;
they did not perisI as the victims of prosecu-
ton.
Bat where ara they! The peaceable work
ing OF the great principles which called this
Republic into existence has gradually and
silently absorbed them. True Americsnism,
liberation. the equality Of rights. has absor-
bed their prejadless. and will psacesbly ab-
sor5 everything that Is not consistent with
th' victorious spirit Of our institutions
[Cheers
~ l. Or iucEt Is 4 WO9IofIul Vitality IN true
democracy FUN lei upon the equality Of
rights There is an inexhaustibls power of re-
slstance in that system of government which
makes the protection OF individual rights
ffs' IpaTlef, there is no warfare OF opinions
which can endanger it-there is conspira
cy Of desPotic aspirations that can destroy it.
1t if not preserved in its purity; there are
dangers which only blindness cannot see. and
which only stubborn party prejudice will not
see
l have already called your attention to the
despotic tendency Of the slaveholding system.
need not ealaryo upon it; need not de-
scribe how the existence of Slavery in the
South affected and demoralzed even the po-
litical lie OF the Free States; how they at
tempted to press us, You and ma, into the
posse OF the slve-catcher; how that abo,nina-
bic act. which is worse that the Allen aud
Ssiition Laws" sill disgraces our statute
book; how the railing party, which has devot-
ed Itself to the service OF that despotic inter
est, shriakS from no violation of good faith
from n adulterati0n OF the constitutional
compact. from 40 eucroachm ent upon natural
right. from no treacherous abandonment of
fundamental principles And | do not hest
tate to prophesy that If the theories engen-
dered By the institution Of Slavery be suffered
to oltgrow the eqnaliz!ng tendency Of true
democracy. the American Republic will at no
distant dsy crumble down under the barden
of the laws ali msasures which the ruling
in.e-es. viii demand for its protection; aud its
nsas VIII BE- added 70 the sal catalogue Of
tae broken hopes OF humanity.
But the mischief does no. come from that
side alone; it is in things OF small beginning,
but fearful in their growth One of these IS
the propensity Of men to lose sigAt Of .fun7a-
nasnfql principles, ledea passing abuses are
10 be corrected.
Is II not wonderful how nations who have
won their liberty by the scverest struggles
become 50 easily impatient Of the small in
conveniences and passing difficulties, which
are almost INSOFAR bly connected with the
practical working of general self government
How they 50 easily forget that rights may be
abused, and yet remain lnaIieaable rights?--
Europe has witnessed many an attempt for
the establishment Of Democratic institutions;
some of them was al drst successful and the
people were free. but the abuses and acon-
! venIence connected with liberty became at
oncs apparent. Then the ruling classes of
society IN order to get rid Of the abuses, re-
stricLed liberty; they did indeed get rid Of the
abuses bat they got rid Of liberty at the same
tiua gu heard liberal governments there
speak Of protecting and regulating the liberty
of the press. and in order to prevent that lib
erty from bsing abused, they adopted meas
ures, apparently harmless a, first; which ulti
marely resulted in an absolute censorship
Would it BE- much better If we, recognizing
the right Of man to the exercise Of seIf-gov-
errmeat, sboaid, IN order to protect the puri.
" Of the ballot box, restrict the rights OF
saFrage2
Liberty, Sir. IS ike a spirited housewife
she will have her whims, she will be some
what unruly sometimes. and. like 50 many
husbands. you canno: always have it ali your
own way. She may spoil Jour iayori.e dish
sometimes; bat viii you therefore q. once
smash her china break her kettles, and shut
49,. +L tirchar9 bar