The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-07-25

we'll to pause and ponder upon, We might
remark, that our prosperity is owing not SO
much to the transcendeat genius and brilliant
powers Of our chief officials, as in the wisdom
of the people It is the bone and sinew Of the
of the land, physically speaking, that consti-
tutes the strength thereof so in a self con-
stituted government like our own, it is the
amount of intellect which !the masses possess,
which cons slitutes the positive political strength
of the nation. And If this Wi dom could all
be thrown on the side Of loyalty and devotion
to the country and the cause Of humanity, in
stead Of the selfish interests and personal ag-
grandizement OF individuals, the combined
world could not dcmoralize US or conquer Us
by force af arms. The plan of our Govern
ment was so conceived by onr fathers, and SO
projected By them in the Constitution, as to
bring to bear the combined wisdom Of all
classes in its administration. From the low
est official to the highest, either directly or
indirectly, the will Of the majority Of the
people is, or should be, according to the Con-
stitution, expressed in their action. Hence,
| if men always acted according to their better
judgements the action Of the constituted au-
thorit;es must be the exponent of the wisdom
Of the entire mass governed. What better or
more enduring basis Of government could be
conceived of than this, and this is one of the
principal clements Of its success. But you
cannot fail to see that the measure Of that
success has been, and must Of necessity be,
Just in proportion as each individual member
Of the government has, or viii hereafter, act
up TO his convictions Of justice, duty and truth,
in the admin stration Of the government,
either by casting his vote, or in serving his
country.
Another element OF the success Of our gov
ernment arises from the religious liberty which
prevails throughout the land, all except where
the order Of the government is for the time
being overrulcd by mob power. But as q
general and fundamental principle Of our gov
ernment every man is permitted perfect liberty
to enjoy whatever religious opinion he chooses.
And | thank God that il is so for if there is
any one thing more than another that has
tended to produce anarchy and revolution
among the nations Of the earth, it is the fact
that governments, and kings, and potentatcs.
have presumed 10 interfere IN these matters
which exist alone between man and his Crca-
tor. Man is accountable to God, and God
only, for his religious belief, and 10 govern
ment on earth has right TO say, aye or nay,
to it. Not but what [ believe it IS Of the
greatest Importance that man should possess
a correct religious belief; not but what be-
lieye that governments should be formed and
administered or principles in exact accordance
with the law Of God But church and state
should have no connection whatever. Agoy-
ernment can be christian without being ecclo-
siastical President or King can be christ
ian, or iuGdol, without binding the c0nscicnccs
Of their subj iccts to either opinion. IF gov
crameHt had to answer in another world for
the neral actions Of individuals in this; it
would be quite another thing. But am glad
this Is not so ; for if some Potentates should
have to answer in another world for the sins
Of their subjects, and their own too, they
would have pretty hard time Of It. No, our
government started on right principles here,
and this is one great reason Of It's success and
this is also one reason why our country is
such q sweet home for the poor exile The
moment he steps his weary loot upon our soil,
that moment he is Disseminated from all the
calling chains which oppression has thrown
around him, and If he is guiltless Of wrong,
he can 90 forth and breathe oar free air, and
feel that he is indeed free man. BE he Jew
or Gentle, Greek or Scythian, Roman Catho-
lie or Protestant, he can bow at his own
shrine, and worship at his own altar, without
drst paying Difference to any earthly poten-
tate or power
Another element of success IS the abundant
velop itself. ThcIe are no titles here bestowed
upon imbecile brains. There is no privileged
aristocracy that presumes, because their au-
/ cestors were Natures noblemen, they have a
right to occupy position in society which
rightly belongs to the footmen that serve them,
for the reason that nature has stamped upon
the footman that true distinction which his
would-be superior yainly tries to assume. l
am aware that there are attempts al this thing,
but it is not in accordance with the gpiIit OF
our institutions. True genius, no matter how
low It's origin, can by Tho fostering care Of our
social economy, rise to the position to which
its own intrinsic merit entities it. and our
country, iaits uuparaIlaleddo7 Developments shows
the wisdom OF orr fathers in starting ont
upon this plan. As the result OF It. what do
we see Behold youdgr rskish locking object
blowing its way up the current Of the noble
Hudson is it q monster Of the deep, throwing
the spray RIGHT and left, and poking its huge
arms into the air, or is it being Of mans
invention? Yes, it is the result Of FulLoE's
Genius; and is the first steamship that ever
breasted the tide, the Improvements whereof
now ply every lake and river, every sea and
ocean, entering every port in the world. But
look again, what object is that which goes
laundering along the valley of the Mohawk,
uulGuS OfSt pIAb9eSJ SLOOuLg through jnC
hilI-sides, throwing GCC and steam in every
direction. making the cattle fee to the hills
frightening timid children and shocking the
nerves Of ancient maiden ladies. Itis the first
locomotive on American soil, but only the first
Of thousands that now drag their freightcd
trains over the vast network OF iron thatl
spreads itself fan and wide over the land.
But lool. again. What mean those little iron
wires that We see loopcd from pole to pole
ana stretching from one end Of the country
to the other? All me, the Yankee himself is
nearly non-plussod now, and I fancy I see
him turn the quid into the other side Of his
mouth, take his coat tails under his arms
plunge his hands into his breeches pockets
and roll his astonished eyes up az this new
wonder Of the age. You politely inform him
that this new arrangement is for carry
ing The news. lie is only astoaished the more