Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-01-31
RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, JANUARY IS, 1867.
The Great Idea Which has Per-
vaded the History of our Govern
mepl from its Birth,

vaded the History OF our Govern
ment from its Birth.
Every government like every individual
has its severe service to perform, how
ever grand its sentiments and emotions.
We are all armed by nature with weap-
ems of ofrense and defense and while
The brain is engaged in the loitlest aspi-
rations, the muscle may always find OPP
portunity for useful and healthSul exer-
else. The browning bulwarks which
protect the harbors OF the country
threatening slaughter to all invaders,
afford protection to ports in which are
matured all the virtues, which adorn
and embellish civilized life. The doors
OF the prison-house are shut upon the
criminal, whose passions have made
him dangerous to society, the finer ma
ture of which is developed in the church
and the school house, in the hospital
and in the institutions OF charity. For
We We protection Of the government 'A'
person and property of every man Is
held to hard and strict accountable
ity. The conductors Of the affairs OF
state, knows, no charity. The widows
mite, and the tax of the millionaire, are
both put into the treasury under the be-
hest of iron law. But behind this
frowning presence, there should be the
smiling face of the tenderest regard for
every attribute Of the best citizenship
The government, which disregards or
neglects all the kindliest sentiments OF
it's people, in its struggle for supremacy
and power, soon finds maddened pop
ulace battering at its Wondering walls.
A government that indicates its deter
mipation to make all its complex ma
ehinery spbservient to the high and
manly tone, which is found in every hui
man breast, however fallen it may be,
to that tender sensibility which no frost
can utterly destroy, to the demands of a
people thirsting for education, to that
humanity which will tolerate no form of
oppression, and to that philanthropy
which will not witness in silence the
workings of crime and injustice-its ex-
istence will be enduring, its principles
undying.
This has been the greet thought of every
age, which has alone been preserved and
handed down to US, while all its gran
deur and its temples have been buried in
common ruin beneath accommodating
dust-and the power Of the empire which
they adorned has passed away. Through
the darkness which envelopes the early
history of Engla nd, it is the principles
of government contained in the great
charter of our liberties and the doctrines
announced by Milton and the Puritan'
which still shine with supernal lustre
and it is prudent and wise obedience
to these principles and doctrines, which
has given the English nation its vitality
and permanency. So is it with on
country as we lipger around the frs
declarations Of freedom and popular
right, made by the bold and true-heartet
all along our pathway from its earlies
settlement The forms and modes o
government have changed and the term
of charter granted to the colonies Of Ne7
England, the privileges bestowed upo
Lord Baltimore or the grants conterre
upon the adventures of Virginia and tn
Carolinas are of no value to US now
Yet we should remember that our fatt
ers in the words of Hutchinson form,
Hsnselres into a proper democracy" an
that Warren said ~ am cOn,pmce2 tn
tie true spirit Of liberty 'eas neVer so wt0e
sally di6psed through all ranks and orders
ysa on the face Of the earth, as ii nor
through eli North AmeTtco."
We should pass in review from Il
early struggles of the revolution, ar
the details of government in the sever
colonies, to those grand assertion
which reused and guided the popul
mind, and gave us the fundament
principles of free republic. The I
valries and strifes, and cabals are q
forgotten, when we remember the gre
conceptions OF the elder Adams, with I
gard to the future of his country t
abiding faith of Samuel Adams
''tke sovereignty Of the people" the thunde
of Henry, calling the people to war t
appeals Of Otis the pleasing thong
of Jefferson, presenting a great truth
the struggling multitude, upon viii
we have at least learned to adminst
our government. "Eqaal and exact Just
to az men" "freedOm of speech, freedom Of
svs" and trial BY jsries impa-tially selectel
We Ak our attention upon these gre
sentiments because while all else
passed away these alone remain. Tit
are the lights in our political heave
to guide across the dark and stormy s.
For the control of rebelious States,
fathers left US no rules for the ms
agement of our finances in civil w