The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1878-07-17

Osition was received with favor. In
September, 1886, the Representatives
Of FIVE States assembled. All of the
States except Rhode Island responded
to the call, and on the second Mon
day in May, 1897, the Representa-
tives assembled at Philadelphia.
will not recite on this occasion the
history Of that Convention, its de-
tails are known. Washington was
it's President. Edward Randolph
introduced resolution to set aside
the Articles of Confederation, and
adopt new Constitution A COM
mittee was appointed to receive the
Articles. Early in September the
work was done; the report of the
committee was adopted that report
was the Constitution of the United
States, written by Governor Morris,
of Pennsylvania.
The effect of this Constitu ton was
to make a stronger bond of union be-
tween the States; to develOpe . COM
| mon brotherhood that should bind in
cords of patriotic affection all parts
of the Union. In doing this without
discussing the features of the Com
stitution, it was evident that the ne
cessities of existing history demand
ed stronger form of governme e MT,
and that necessity was obeyed by
creating Government which made
its Constitution, and the laws passed
in pursuance thereof. the supreme
law of the land, by giving it self
sustaining power; and to sustain that
power it has limitless purse, and
sword supreme on land and sea an
army and navy, limited only by
the will of the people through their
Representatives in the Legislative
and Executive Departments Of the
Government.
A statesman has said: Eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty. "--.
= I'Ecs-sA~@r--l Z
sophie and practical truth inherenCItS
every Government which is It's CON-
slant tendency to increase its power
The student of the political an d
constitutional history of the Unite d
States can not fail to observe tina
this is true, and every effort to resis t
the National Government draws out
its resources for self defence, and
strengthens it as does exercise de-
velope and strengthen the muscle and
fiber of the human system.
A distinguished writer has said:
That every one deserves liberty, but
il ia impossible to saw what it is.
We will not dispute whether the
word can be defined the original
meaning Of the word Liberties meant
the abolition of royalty, and came to
signify in Rome simply Republican
Government, abolition Of royalty.
We have advanced beyond that idea,
In France and Mexico, LibeTtGs and
Reputlicanism have been overwhelm-
ed time and again in despotism, and
the flag of the Republic shrouded IN
blood. Lieber, distinguished Ger
man, but for years a professor in one
of our Southern Colleges, thus quotes
Webster; The spirit Of liberty is,
indeed, bold and fearless spirit; it
is cautious, sagaoious, discrlminat-
| AbSs AdESSSlA$5 AHGSAAi s5CiASS " 40 JSe@-
Gus of encroachment, jealous Of pow
er, Jealous of man. 1t demands
checks it seeks for guards /; it insists
on securities it entrenches itself be-
hind strong defeuces, and fortifies
itself with all possible care against
assaults of ambition and passion.
This is the nature of constitutional
liberty, Of our liberty, and it is my
duty from the position / occupy be-
fore this audience to say such Liberty
is always in danger.
Lieber, in connection with the re-
marks of Webster, says: "Unity OF
power, if sought for in widespread
democracy, must always lead to mon
archial a6solutism. Virtually it is
such; for it ia Indifferent what the
appearance or name may be, the
democracy is not unit in reality;
yet actual absOutism existing, it
must be wielded by one man. All
absolutism ia essentially one man
government. We are still satisfied
with democratic system of govern
ment; it is the safest resort for free
Continued on page n.