The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1861-07-23
AN GRAFTON
n asrel lefsfs hs Mahieipal Auth1iiics q The
CRY OF BOSTON on THE
gth of JuIy, 1865
m
THTOPHILUS PARSONS.
Ith Of JuIy, 1861

f iifc and treasure, their independence from
( England. Iad no intention and 10 de-
Sire 10 escape from government The!
knew, for they were wise, ihai ihe absence
af all government from mafses Of men is an
absolute impossibiliiy. They knew thai
anarchy itself Is government the govern
mcnt u passion. Of selG.hness, Of folly in
tcnsiilel into madness Of wickedness de-
yelopod TO is highest power, and given up
10 .hc fearful work of seli.puushment.--
They knew that government was NOT only
necessary, buf inevitable. And all their
efforts we're bent towards establishing the
best government
They we're wise men. The annals Of
human thought exhibit nowhere more
profound. acute, iar-reaehing, and all-em-
bracing sagacity on the subject Of human
government, than some Of the writings Of
that day. But il If was Of Divine Provi-
dence that at this most important luncturc
IN The history Of mankind there should be
wise and faithful men, able to east upon
the great topic before them all the light to
be derived from The continued efforts OF
powerful minds prepared by q careful
study Of the past, and inyigoraed by q deep
and constant sense Of the ilnmeasurablc
Importance Of their work, that was but one
Of the means which that Providence en-
ploycd for great end.
do not forget that the recognitions OF
our peculiar advantages which the return
Of this day invite are apt to run into boast
ing and harmful sclt-gloriiicalion. would
rememberthis and avoid this. But must
not refrain from expressing TO you my be-
liei, my most deliberate, long and carefully
considered, and most profound conviction,
that il has been, and is, the purpose Of Him
who holds in ii Ills almighty hand the des-
TIMES Of men and nations, to establish, here
: 4 more prosperous nation, under n better
form Of government than has ever before
|. existed. or now exists elsewhere. But all
Tie purposes uf Providence which arc
wrought through the insirumcnlality O
men, are 10 certain extent delivered tc
their free agency, and may therefore b,
retarded aud obstucted by the wrongiu
exercise Of that free agency. And II vii
be my endcayor today 10 direct your at
iention 10 few, and only a few, Of wha
seem TO me the footsteps Of OmnlPo'enc,
along the pathway to the great purpose
have indicated to point out TO you som'
of the obstacles which resist, and some 0
the perls which threaten this great pur
pose. and some of our duties in relation tt
them.
Let us begin with the inquiry, what Tho
best government must be and the answer
may be in one word elt.goyernment.-
On this topic, rs on so many others, W,
may be helped hy remembering that as
nation is composed Of men, it cannot con
tain any other elements Of national char
acter than those which are contributed b,
the men Of the nation. And when we looI
at men individually and from the study Q
human character, reach certain deiinit
laws and conclusions concerning human lii
= in the individual, we may well hope tha
lhese laws and conclusions will throw som
light upon analogous questions as they ex
Isl in reference 10 a nation.
W ititt. lItil. - lllC btNl EptA4 A4IAiilit ~
the individual If ! put the question j
another shapc-if / ask whether he is be:
! governed who is surrendered to his ow
]. fantasies and procliyities and lusts, an
|. exasperates all these by utter unrestrain
q and makes no reference TO right or wronl
or the law Of God or the law Of man, th
question answers itself. am deScribin
man who has done all that he can do t
become only wild beast. Better were
for him that some arm Of power shoul
hold him, some fear restrain him, some il
rcsislibe command control him, and a
these Influences compel him 10 decent cor
duet. Then, il might at least be possibl
that his lusts and follies, because they wer
repressed. would be enieeblcd. Then
might again be possible that the seyerit
Of external control could be safely relaxed
that some acknowledgement Of law, som
!. thought Of right. would begin TO exert
( power within him, aud thereby facilltai
1.-THE entrance Of vet better thoughts an
higher motives, and that this adyancin
:. and ascending progress might 90 on, unt
as control from within accepted and VIC
coined control from without as A nece
sary help. And the consummation Of q
10 this would come when the law Of truth,
=. :. right, and Of instructed conscience was a
i the law he needed, all the law he felt; an
% this law put him at ease with the syste
.. Of law prevailing all around him. and Il
man stood and lived in perfect peace Wi
the law and perfect peace with himself.
Thi. i bat al ideal picture far fro
the reality existing in tbs best 81 us.
2. s. however. q picture of dat last resu
towards which wc are led iy oil moral ID
proyement, all elevation q motive all re
ognilion of the authority ot sight, and !
confirmation Of our love Of goodness.
have ven;ured 70 present to you ID
g picture, because ! cannot bat ihink th
The history Of lhe past and The condition
ihe present lead 10 she conclusion tlat
LASS aad method 81 rroepe somewhai &