Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-07-14


which orr government is founded, grant US
security against all forms of despotism abso-
lutte or limited.
We are not in danger of individual despo-
tism. The Presiden. of these states. gets on
his knees,-bows his own head, 10 the will of
the masses. He may for a time trample on
the rights of the people for four years. per-
haps, he may play the roll of The tyrant. then
through the ballot box or by some other ex-
preston of the majority. he is commanded to
obscurity, and left to muse, or mutter, at his
leisure.
True. the President is the commander in
chef OF the armies and navies /; yet. he COM
mands only such an army as vote for him
The people themselves are his army. We
must not forget that our soldiers are our own
fathers, sons and brothers. Our soldiers are
quartered around our own hearth stones, they
camp in our own bosoms. The Presdant be-
fore he can grasp supreme power. must sever
all the ties OF friendship, kindred and blood
and make enemies of our own fathers and
sons. The practice of medicine in HindOstan,
is considered very safe for the people, for in
the first place, the physician must take the
same dose he gives his patient. and second,
if the patient dies under treatment. the phy-
stefan must be buried with him. The Presi-
dent must take the same dose the people take
go with us to burial
The old German had it right. when he said,
"this is safe. goot country de President
can't run away, for de congress hold him; de
congress can't run away. for de people hold
him. and de people can't run away for God
hold him."
Neither, Mr. President. are we in danger of
state Isurpation. No state can. for any con-
siderable time, lord it over the other states OF
this union. Massachusetts, can't make laws
for Wisconsin. Every state is supreme in its
own internal affairs, and has an equal
proportion of honor and authority, in
the affairs of .all. L ought to say, that
this equal honor and authority, IS not,
think, IN all things conceded to us of the
Northwest. The manufacturing interests of
the East. in combination with the great MN
ing corporations of Pennsylvania, have,
through their unjust representation in Con
gress. been able heretofore, TO dictate to, aud
defeat. many of the interests of our people -
The East has not yet cOmprchended the inn
poriance OF the power of the West: and so
by her money and votes. she determines the
number of banks and the amount Of circula-
ton sh controls the whole railroad and
river transportation CT the country. and then,
having virtually fixed the. basis of represent
alton, she plants her iron feet on the great ag-
ricultural interests of the northwest and,
feeding her workmen on our wheat at fifty
cents per bushel, she laughs at our calamity
and mocks when our fear cOmeth.
The truth is, the east holds this great giant
by the nose. and has hitherto laughed at all
his efforts 10 escape.
We were saying that each stateis supreme
in the government of its own internal affairs.
and is entitled. under the constitution. to its
proportion of authority in the affairs OF all
Each star in yonder proud banner 6lazes sep
arate and alone in its ample folds. yet united
they form Que bright constellation. They
symbol a self-contrOlled and sclt-controlling
neutrality. No form eft state dcspotism
threatens US while these stars continue to
mingle their light in the same cluster.
Nor. my fellow citizens. are we in danger
of :. religious tyranny" That torna of des-
potism which has so long been the scourge of
the old world that grim spirit OF ecclcsias-
teal authority tnat hooded tyrant that stalks
the sisles of Romish churches that cowled
demon of religious intolerance-w i'll never, in
America occupy the place of power. The
founders of our republic would turn uneasily
in their graves at the first appearance among
us Of that m0nsier--Church and State.
Our father felt in their own hearts the pangs
of religious despotism. and like great and
good men. they took care TO leaye their child
rem the priceless legacy-Fleedom to Worship
God.
No authority can dictate 10 me how shall
preach, or what nor to you what you shall
believe, or sing. or pray. or for what organ
lied form OF worship we shall pay our money.
Every state is secure in its own rights. Ev-
cry church in its own form of worship and
belief Every man is free to write-lree to
speak, in church and state. The press is free |
The word of God is free mo chains bind It'll
no church can bonish it or in any way con-
troll IL mo Pope at Rome can weaken its
authority ever the cOEscences CT men, or de-
termine who shall read it or where. or when
Can you beat down Gibralter with your
hand Can you put out the fires of Versu-
veus with dew N or can you determine the
cOnsciences, or force a religion upon any peo-
pie by law. Nor can any human power. by
law, by accommodation. tear the privileges
OF religion, or the divine rights OF conscience,
from their grasp. We cannot d veil longer
upon this subject. We repeat, with all en-
phasis. that as a nation. we are not in danger
of individ ual dictatorship. nor of any pre-.
tracted state despotism. Nor are we in any
serious peril at present from ecclesiastical or
religious tyranny. The prosperity and sta
biliiy of our nation. is in the life. prosperity
ann love of the whole people.
But, sir, it is being said by Certain writers
and speakers. both in private and public life,
that there is in the workings of our govern.
ment direct tendency to anarchy. They
inform us solemnly that we are threatened
with sectional war-a war of sects--of
isms that long and bloody revolution is
sure to take place between the Catholic and
Protestant churches. / have nosfear In the
frst place, though there is class of priests
and superstitious bigots. whose influence is
dying with the advance of free thought and
broad truth. who would engage in any des-
perate enterprise to hold their position, the
ruth is, the light of christianity is too in
tense for the demonic spirits of persecution
and intolerance to enact their deeds of dark
ness and death in any land. In the second
place, the catholic portion of this country
have caught the inspiration of liberty, that is
fast lifting them above the dognatic author
ity and control of any mere Priest or Pope.
Again. we are told that we are in danger of
sectional war-a war growing out of the con-
dieting interests of the East and West, North
and South. Every war-whoop from poor,
halfstarved band of Indians-every breeze
from Salt Lake portends to these fant-hearts
among us, the anarchy that is about to over
whelm Us.
1t is true. that there is some friction in the
practical administration of our affairs, but
sir, il does not threaten, seriously, the per
manency OF our government. Mr.. Beechsr
has made some very pertinent remarks
in relation 10 these things. The great
world.iamlly is in connection. quarrelling
over the Great Fathers inheritance. Ths
children do not all look alike The family
have fallen out. Some of the stronger child
A..