The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-01-10

scribed to us the fundamental princi-
pie of doing to others as we would be
done by, and, in accordance Herewith,
we must neither rob nor assault, nor
murder, nor bear false witness, nor do
any of those things which imply de-
ception or violence. What other So
cial regulation should we require,
were it possible to carry out these in
functions in perfect good faith? Men
would then live as brethren, in mutu-
al love and respect.
But since the ignorance and aggres-
sive instincts of man, as yet very i'm
perfectly civilized, rendered voluntary
conformity to these good regulations
out of the question, Governments
were established to secure order and
administer justice. While those Gov
eminent adhered to their true mission,
they were sanctioned and blessed of
heaven. When they departed from
it they invoked the wrath of higher
power. 1t was not the form of Gov
ernment that was, necessarily, the Sc
cret of its success, but the spirit of
governing force. There have been
good kings and benefcient emperors,
as there have been cruel or foolish
elective rulers; but, taking all in all,
it was at last believed by the intelli-
gent majority of some nations-of our
own for instance-that a popular re-
publican form went back the nearest
to first principles, by giving the peo-
pie the control of their own laws, in
stead of leaving them in the hands Of
council, or of one man, who might,
if wickedly disposed, oppress and ruin
them.
It is evident, then, that a sense Of
justice to all men alike is the essence
of republican government, and with.
out rendition of justice there is nc
such thing as liberty; neither is there
any such thing as Christianity.
Now, how does this apply to the
present condition of this nation? Al
well might the sneering cynic ask
how do the Ten Commandments apply
to the moral state of mankind! Make
strict and even justice the rule in the
administration of your laws; in the
distribution of your taxes; in the re
ciprocal duties that move capital anc
labor, the governor and the governed
the representatives and his constitu
ents--while fulfilling the expressed
rights of the minority; exclude mere
partisan spirit from every considera
ton of national measures; consult the
good of the whole, and not of mere
part of the country; and peace, com
merce, morality, and, with these
prosperity and happiness will quickly
revive. And are these vague recon-
mendations? AS well, oh critic! DE-
not lie! is vague. We have our coun
try, and for every part of it, writ
ten code of laws, and those who are
chosen by us to administer them are
not only held by every consideration
that should bind the heart of man
but they have incurred the special OBJ
legations Of solemn oath, in the pres
ence of God and the human race, tt
faithfully perform the task. In tha
act they ceased to be private individ
uals, and became identified with duty
1t is in such capacity that the natio1
}! summons them to the discharge o
equal and unserving justice, and de
nounces the suggestion of any othe
influence.
r 1t is justice that weighs the circun
stances of a case, and, while redress
ing wrong, pleads for poor Humanity
surprised, perhaps, amid the mist
: and pitfalls of this earthly pathway
: 1t is justice which at given momen
D when expiation has been made, OF a
C lodged crime has been melted in th
!, crucible of fact, to simple error c
= weakness. lays aside the frownin
J. Providence and reveals the smilin
+ face.
i But partisan government; world
o wisdom; that wolf in Sleeps clothin.
d Expediency, welding the scepter, CO..
l. signs millions to untold misery.
I'll Its finance is some shutting max
n shift from day to day; its order is IL
II prison bar and the policeman's batol
: its law is the will of the strongest; i
= glory is the carnage of millions
l. adorn the brows and the shoulders
e the very few; its prosperity..is glidir
- on the surface and rottenness beneat
h its religion?
le Would to heaven that the light
It justice, however vague, might dav
Is again upon the gloom of uncertaint
II