Middletown transcript., 1872-10-12

to consolidate power still further in
their own hands, to use what they have
obtained for purposes for which II never
was designed. II wns that quality that
made the name Of George Washington so
great among the nations Of tho earth.
Applause. II was the example OF that
remarkable man that when he had accom-
plishcd victory; that when he was strong
with success be sank into the obscurisy Of
a private citizen. WHY'S il that his name
stands on the page Of history. as tbs man
who was willing TO renounce power. when
advantages were TO be accomplished Can
We not borrow some little example from
him, and show that in this country VIC
can insist that some Of his qualities shall
be echoed by the people Of this country
to-day-lapplause. The issue which has
been formed in this country in one shape
or another has always asserted itself since
the formation Of the government. As
the issue between the disposition Of power,
no matter in whose hands II is placed. to
ccntralize itself; and, the corresponding
effort under our constitutions to prevent
that Capitalization aud insist on distribu-
uon. The men who formed this govern
ment had, as you know. suffered from ar
bitrary power. They had been cocrced
by an arbitrary, unfatherly government.
They took up arms to relieve themselves;
and under Gods providence were sue.
ecsstul. They are part OF the history OF
our country and am sure ought TO be
n most important lesson for us for all time.
Suffering from arbitrary power, the men
who laid the foundation Of this govern
ment, determined that they would put
limitations upon power. They therefore
determined that in the constitution Of the
United States there should not be any
power that was not limited power
There was no such thing rs absolute
power
First How did they accomplish it !,
BY distributing power by dividing the
government into different departments, all
Of which were coordinate aud equ,l ;
nothing absolute or superior. There was
the power to make the laws but'that was
not absolute Thus. national leeisla-
rure was created The president Ind the
righ, of veto given him There was the
other great shcct-anchnr the judiciary
department They distributed power over
this country 81 that not only the tederai
but the Executive and national legisla-
,arc, and the national judiciary should
ovcrchcck each other.
{ They left system of States but The
whole lease of power uncnumcrated aud
not strictly dele gated and enumerated il
the grant Of powers 10 the National Gov
ernmcnt was left to the States.
The National Government has delcga
+, ted powers to the States They were diff
fused Throughout, the land and We're in
tended by them to be check upon eacl
other and upon the Federal Government
And then the Federal Gcvernmcn. wa.
/ intended to be check upon them. The,
0 arranged this system with perfect harmon.
so that both the laws Of the United State
passed in pursuance Of the Constitution
/ and the laws of the States which are sub
, iect to the Federal Constitution. shoul,
. be obeyed without any question in al
honest mans mind. This can be con
n cluicd by fair aud candid examination
{ Of the different instruments. They sough
8 To limi, power and they did that by dis
: tributing power II sou destroy the dis
n trihu,ion, then you destroy the Limitation
j, aud power becomes absolute
. On this plan the Democratic party ha
without fail, been found to work. Ap
/ plausc Not that it contained better men
: or men more virtuous. learned or wise O
G patriotic This is why that party has ha
q vitality and existence since the ioundatio
Il -.
MS the forms Of freedom are left in ,h
5 country That party will exist becaus
y based upon the principle of freedom op
y position to centralized power aud on il
r sislcuce of distribution of power, for pub
i lie safety Applause. Ccn!ralizatio
II itself is anti Democratic This party wi
!. ever be found on the side opposed TO i
r Since the foundation of the Govcrnmcn
d can any man show you where that part
.c ha. esponscd the principle Of grbilrar
:. power? Ask them to show you once
!. history OF the Democratic party being a
n rayed in favor Of cen,ralizing Of any pow
le cr. even in the hands Of iis own friend
Of Applause When We fight the bait
f. against Capitalization of power, do v
is no, fight ms well for Republicans as ou
III selves? Applause. 1t is not matt
lie Of cxpcdicncy, it is the broad matter
or principle The founders Of the govern
re mcnt knew that the tendency Of men VI
Q. always to steal from the many to the fc,
:. You give man little power. he vi
$. Use il to get more II is like the sno
~ ball that is begun by the school boy, as
,u is rolled over and over it becomes so larI
t; as scarcely to be moved.
ge The founders of our government inte
On dcd ,ha, not only should the people
ct that time be free. but that their posteri
to should be free BY their act they ga
O. the people the right Of local self-gover
mt mcnt. That means. the school Of go
cs ernmept and the opportunity to learn be
IT, to BECOME citiycps. by learning what 4
n functions Of citizen are. lfa yorkin
an mans arms are not exercised, they gre
Ia weak and lose the power Of control.