The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-07-02
COMMUNICATIONS.
tFoR THE LANCASTER LEDoER.1
Government.

Next in importance to the science OF
religion, which teaches our relations to
the Creator, and the science of morality,
which explains our relations to our fellow
men, is abe science of Governmen t, which
unfolds our relations aud duties as men,
bers of civil society. And no subject of
social interest can more worthily engage
the attention Of a rational being, who
has the happiness of himself and species
at heart, than the science of Legislation.
Government is a divine institution. This
we learn from various portions of the
volume of Inspiration. The most explicit
is the 18th chapter Of the epistle TO the
Romans. And if any should suppose
Pe!er in his first epistle 2: l3 inculcates
different theory let them remember
the two Apostles are viewing the subject
from different stand points. Paul is re-
viewing government in ito origin. Peter
contempates it in its form and limitations.
The former is OF God the latter is OF
man. The true origin Of civi! govern
nent, and its ultimate foundation un
doubtedly lie in the will Of God. But as
there is great difference in the climate
pursuits, tastes, interests, intellect and
principles OF the human species man il
permitted to give such form and limita
tions TO the government as 10 most a
greeable to the parties interested.
The primitive state Of the human fam
lily was that of equality, freedom and in
dependence. No one had the right te
Legislate or command. Each member O
the human family were as Independent
of each other as all were dependent upor
God. But the interests Of man deman
ded an associated state which we cal
civil society. TO attain this end it wa.
necessary for the individual to surrsude
certain rights and commit their exercise
to the body polite. The functions o.
government cannot be performed and its
beneficial results attained without this
concession on the part of the governed.
Now that the authority for government
is revived from God will appear from the
fact there are certain natural rights es
sen!ial to governmental functions, which
man cannot yield without divine permis'
sion. For instance, power over his own
life. Government cauno: legally exercise
power not delegated to it. Aud man
could not delegate this power but by di.
vine permission. Yet the exercise OF
capital punishment, as sanction to law,
il necessary to the safety and happiness
of society. No man has the righ. to EN-
ploy the hand OF the suicide and take his
own life. But rs government is of God,
and power over the life is necessary to
the legitimate functions Of government,
he may delegate that power, to the au.
thortiss that be, for the good of the
whole. Government is evidently Of God
since 1t cannot exist without the exercise
Of certain prerogatives which cannot be
delegated to it bu; by divine permission.
Whilst government itself 10 Of God, it
is very interesting inquiry to ascertain
the true source Of those powers which
Rulers may lsgiimately exercise. In the
natural state all mankind, as already in.
timated, are on an e9uslitxsanl3p eowss
and right. No c;ass ofS< 4. n
1egislato for the others
has the right 10 rule sn6 q