The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-01-06

Meus WAS lCue InOSC cltvaVou oySeem uuuau
nature could aspire to. Mr.. Andrews then
proceeded to consider the qualifications for
popular government, and spoke of knowledge
as the first. Once oratory and the drama
were the worlds instructor; now it was the
Press. The press was mighty engine, but
sometimes it ran off the track and did mis-
chief. 1t was the plan of Addison, in con-
Quoting the Spectator" never to draw a
faulty character which did not fit thousand
people, nor publish paper that was rot
written in the spirit of benevolence and with
love to mankind. In proportion as the
press followed that example, and aimed faith
fully to instruct the public mind, would its
far-reaching usefulness be promoted. The
next qualification for popular government
was selfrestrsint or moderation. MIR. Burke
had said men must have q certain fund of
natural moderation to qualify them for free
dom, else it became uoxious to themselves
and a ferfect nuisance to everybody else. 1t
was easier to fight for liberty and achieve it,
than to preserve it. The English had ex-
hibited moderation, and been satisfied with
slow but steady success. They had gained
by every revolution. The trial by jury, the
freedom of the press, the power of commons,
and the independence of the judiciary, were
alike monuments of their courage and pru-
dence. Excuses were attended by reactions
whether committed by a mob, party, a
people or despot. He alluded to the revo-
lutions in Europe. The French revolution
of 1871 was the natural result of the ex.
cesses of the Crown; but successive factions,
impelled alternately by ambition, revenge
and terror, brought liberty into reproach till
the people sought delusive security under
complete despotism. Ten years ago, abso-
lutte power in Europe was driven from its
palaces to seek shelter among the rocks and
mountains. Again, the excuses of the most
radical, the want Of unity in Unpopular party
together with the deception Of princes, post
poned the triumph Of liberty, and reinstated
absolute government. The moderation and
prudence of the Italians in late events were
an improvement on their former revolutions.
A source of failure in acquiring free gov
eminent had been the admission of religion
into politics, as seen in Europe, Peru and
Mexico. There must be liberation on reli-
gious subjects before people could practice
that moderation essential to the preservation
of liberty.
A principal security of popular govern.
ment is laid in the safe division of power.
The judiciary was naturally the weakest. 1t
had no patronage, and should be exempt
from party influences as much as possible
and from the menaces of popular clamor.
He next spoke of the Legislative and Ex-
ecutive branches, and the danger of Execu.
tive patronage. Take from the Emperor
of Austria his bureau system, which
employed so many thousands of his subjects,
and his army, and be would lose his sceptre
in year. The same might be said of the
Emperor of the French, the most enlight-
ened doubtless of any despot who had ever
fourished. Patrick Henry opposed the
adoption of our constitution because Of the
dangerous patronage he thought it would
eventually give the President. The decep-
ton and falsehood which fatterers and de-
pendents had always been ready to pour into
the ears of rulers was justly scorned. But it
should be remembered that as the people
possess the sovereign power under popular
governments, the temptation for the selfish
and dishonest to fatter and deceive them,
was as great as it ever was for the courtier
to exclude truth from the palace OF mon
arch.
Patriotism, Peace, Labor and Agricul-
ture, were next separately dwell: upon as to
their influence on civilization. The former,
be said, was mightier than standing armies,
but before man could love his country, he
must have an interest in it. He must en-
Joy its liberties, and have access to its hon.
ors.
He would pext mention the one great and
fundamental element of civilization. The
question might be asked wherein was the
present better and nobler than the past?
They had found that in external splendor
many of the States of antiquity surpassed
the present age. Had they read of any
sisters of charity who went to stay the plague
at Athens as did those who went down to
Norfolk? Were there any Florence Night
ingales to alleviate the suferings in the Pei
opennessian war, such as ministered angelic
blessings to the wounded and dying at the
Crimea Here and there they now saw
asylums for the blind, the dumb and the
insane, and schools for idiotic children.
From whence came these philanthrOpic