New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-05
VII.
ATTRACTIONS OF sELFGoyERNMENT.

tunes OF the people"
VII.
ATTRACTIONS OF SELF-GOYERNNiENT.
md 40 this people Of various roots and kindred OF the
Old World-settied aud transiused III their csatahuo
home into harmonious fellowship in the sentiments the
interests the habits the affections which develop ana sd
tain love Of cOuntry-wcre committed 10 the common
fortunes which should attend absolute trust N inc
urinary relations between and his fellows ana be-
tween man and his Maker. This Northern Continent Of
America had been opened and prepared for the trans
plantation Of the fugrown manhood OF The highest CIVIL
izaton of the Old World 70 place where II coud DC rec
from mixture or collision with competing or hostile ec-
ments and separated from TIE weakness and the burdens
which il wOudlcaye behind. The impulses ana at'c-
tons which moved the emigration and directed IL hithef
various in FORM vet had much common character AZ
IN merit the description Of being public elevated moral
or religious They included the desire Of new ard better
uncertainties for institutions cOnsOn4nt with the dignity
of human nature and with the immortal and infinite re
tons OF the race In the language OF tic times the s'arch
for civil and religious liberty animated the III
grims the Purtans, and the Churclnen' the fItE-
by;eriaus the Catholics and the Quakers-'hc HntNo
pots the Dutch and the Waoons-the Waidcaeses the
Germans and the swedes in their several mfgrat0ns
which made up tie colonial population Their expert
ence and fortunes here had done nothing 20 Teouce'
everything 70 confirm, the yewsand traits wLchbr0ug
them hher To sever all political relations, then, with
Europe seemed 20 these people but tn" realization OF He
purposes which lad led them across the ocean-Dut te
one thing uoedfu to complete this continent Tor tber
home and to give the absolute assurance Of that higher
life which they wished to lead Tie preparation OF the
past and the cnthusiasms OF the future cOnsWred TO
favor the project OF seOvernment and invest 1t with
moral grandeur which furnished the best omens ana tie
best guarantees for ia prosperity Instead Of capri
eicus and gddy eIaltaOn OF spirit, as at neWganed
liberty sober and solemn sense OF the larger trust and
.F..
Master had found them faithful over few things, ana
had now made them rulers over many.
These feelings common 70 The whole population, were
not OF sudden gin aud were not romantic nor had they
any tendency eyapoate in noisy boasts Cr run wild III
alr-lrawn projects. The difference between equality ana
privilege, between civil rights and capricou avors, be-
tween freedom Of conscience and persecution for con
science sake not matters OF NEST debate or alb
stiact conviction with our cOuntrymen. The story
Of these battles Of the warm and
living memory OF their fOre2hcrs' suarc IN them, FOX
which, to avoid insufoTaDe grievances IT home they
had been enforced by heaps to leave their native cOn
tries" They proposed 70 settle forever the question
whether such grievances should possibly bcia them
their posterity They knew plan so simple, COM
prehensiye TO this end TO solve all the minor
difficulties IN tie government Of society by radical
basis FOR its source, Held FOR its operation and
authentic and deliberate method for consulting and
enforcing the will of the people the sole authority OF
the State
BY this wisdom they at least would shift within tie
sphere Of government the continuous warfare OF human
nature, the field Of good and evil right and wrong
"Between whose endless jar justice resides"
from conflicts OF the strength OF the many against the
craft Of the few They woald gain the advantage Of sup
plying the reason Of tie state the Of the pee
pie and decide by the moral and intellectual influences
OF instruction and persuasion the Issue OF who should
make and who administer the laws This involved no
pretensons OF the perfection OF human nature did
assume that at other times, under other circumstances
they would themselves have been capable Of sel.gOyc
ment or that other people then WERE would be-
30 capable. Their knowledge OF mankind showed them
tina, there would be aultS and crimes long there
were Their faith Taught them that this c0rupbe
would put interruption only when this mortal should
put on immortality. Nevertheless they believed ia man
ana trusted in Cod aud these imperisna5e supports
they thought they might res. civil government for pco-
PIE who had these living conceptions wrought into their
OWE characters and lives
The past and the present are the only means by which
iosesees shapes the future Upon the evidence
OF the past, the contemplation OF the present Of this
people, our statesmen willing 10 commence sys-
ten which must continually draw FOR its sustenance aud
growth, upon the virtue aud vigor of The people From
this virtue and This yig0r If alone be uouiished Il
must decline in their decline and rot IN their decay.
Trey traced this vigor and virtue 20 iucxhaUsiDle
enea by the returning sunGcrs through the vutaccs Of
a'hoassnd years will sim glow IN the grape and spalaie
IN Tue Wme' 90 will the cxublrnt forces Of race sup
Ply an uusnted yisor 10 mark the virtues OF immense
populations ahdto remOt ~ generations
10 The frivolous philosophy human Hc which makes
al Tue world purpet show and history book Of ancc-
doies the mora! warfare which fills up the life Of man
ana the record Of bis race az unreal and n as
o. The conflicts OF the gtering hosts upon an airy field
whose displey Iehts up the fleeing splendors Of a
northern night But free government for great peol.
never comes from or gets aid from such philosopler
foA true spiritual dseernmcnt there arc few foin %
more real few things substantial few tincs moro
hsey 10 endure In this world than human thouolts
human passions, human Interests thus molten into the
frame aad model OF our State o m0rem pyqolayo...
aseP'iaD'9~e guam mqjoriGlis accep.1las 81 o4eo,
tsaercaus! :"
nave made no account unsuitable 20 the oeeasion
Of the distribution Of the national power between the
Seneai and the State governments or of the special AR
rAnsements ofexecutve authority Of legislatures eourt
ano maestracies whether OF the General orof the
esuoshments Collectively they form the body ard the
frame OF complete government for great opulent and
p'rer'u people, occupying vast regions and embracuo
~ "ei possessions vide range OF diversity OF climate
oi SOIL aud Of all the cIcums;antal influences of az