Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-07-13

oeen SO quickly disposed OF? By nc
means. Washington was not only Z
patriot He was more. He was 4
christian. He had no unholy ambi
ton to crafty. And "the steps of q
good man are ordered of the Lord.
A convention was suggested to deter
mine the form of government, or
rather, To settle it upon a tirmer ba-
sis. The first one failed to accom-
plish the object, only five States re-
spending. A second was called, in
which eleven States were reprcsent-
ed. After long aud stormy session
nothing but division had been accom-,
plished, and final adjournment was
proposed. But the whole subject
was finally referred to committee,
who reported rough draft of.our
present constitut, on to an adjourned
session of the convention Many
months passed before the requisite
number OF States ratified the consti-
tuition transmitted by the convention
through their several Legislatures.
But finally, opposition was overcome
and on March 4th, 1889, it became
the organic law of the land. The Re-
public was thus firmly established
upon an enduring basis. But it re-
quired a war of reason against Estate
supremacy, sectional interests, and
radical democracy, almost as long as
the war for independence. 1t was a
fulfillment of prophecy-the prophecy
OF character and truth, as set forth in
the word of God Sacred biography
and every precept OF the bible teaches
that the form of human government
designed by providence, is self-gov-
ernment. Upon this principle the
government of this great country
stands. 1t rests therefore on the
foundation of eternal truth. 1t has
already outlived the contempt, il not
the fears of despotism. 1t has over
come the prejudices of its favored
subjects. 1t has won the respect and
become the wonder of the world. A
republican form of government may
be an experiment.; but, if so, it is a
divine experiment and must succeed.
The divine right of kings, IL not
fiction, is an accommodation. But
the divine right OF self-government
was impaired to man at his creation.
To its promised restoration divine
power is pledged in Him of whom 1t
is said "The government shall be up
on His shoulder" "The rod of ironY
with which He shall rule the nations
is a rod OF love. Its gentle sway
leads to self government. Gods
word gives the motto of republican
ism. "He that is slow to anger is
better than the mighty, and he that
ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a
city," Well may We cherish pro-
found faith that self-government will
prevail here and elsewhere more and
more to the end of time. ffle
As another indication of directing
providence, consider the situation
and extent OF this great country. 1t
is widely separated from the outside
world. A vast expanse of land and
water stretches out against the en-
croachments of despotism on every
hand. Great natural defenses rise up
against all without Within, ample
resources and such an. extent OF ter
ritory are found as to insure, if need
be, absolute independence Of all. And
there is room for expansion. Every
foot Of land between the Atlantic and
Pacific, from north TO south, is surely
devoted to the use and principle of
self-government. The weak presence
of the crown and scepter in this i'm
mense domain of liberty, is the last
futile effort of despotism against the
decree that hath gone forth, ''Hither-
to shalt thou come, but no further,
and here shall thy proud waves be
stayed" Lean only mention the re-
sources of this country. The mind
cannot comprehend their vast pro-
portions. They include about all
that the earth yields to the industry
of man. Surely in the secure situa-
tion and appointment against the
counsels of men OF such country to
such a purpose, the hand of God is
seen.
But for whom is this great herit-
age? We have been tracing the hand
of Providence in American history.
But whose history is that? Who is
the American? Is he German, or
English, or Irish, or French, or Span
ish or all, if not more, together? He
is plainly all together and more. He
is the offspring of the nations. We
are annoyed by the thought that he
seems destined to be the offspring of
the races. Herein, / think, is found
one of the most remarkable indica-
tions of providence which we have
yet seen. 1t is said that "God hath
made of one blood all nations of men"
They seem destined here to return to
that one blood again. No other peo-
pie is so nearly described in the Ian
guage used of that great multitude
which no man could number. of all
nations, and kindreds, and people,
and tongues" The origin of that
is the same as that Of the
people of this country.
The author of the text says of his
people, "He hath not dealt so with
any nation" He had not; but God
hath dealt, in many respects, In a
more wonderful manner with this
people or Irael it is said, "Or hath
God assayed to go and take him a
nation from the midst of another ma
tion, by temptati ons, by signs, and by
wonders, and by war, and by a
mighty hand, and bya stretched-out
arm, and by great terrors; according
TO all that the Lord your God did for
you in Egypt before your eyes?" The
language seems like a prediction of
the origin of the American nation.