Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-09-10
STATESM

A Statesman is the servant OF the people
Since all are equal under the law, per-
haps the term agent would better express
the relation OF the officers OF the govern
ment TO the people. In the State public
opinion governs the executive and the law
makers. Supreme power is vested in the
will Of the people. The constitution and
laws are in accordance with public senti.
Inent. The opinions OF the people are ex-
pressed in the constitution and laws. No
Statesman would attempt TO pass law
in direct opposition TO or antecedent 10 the
expressed will OF the people. Such law
would be null and void and such a law
given would be deposed. 1t is very true
that the voice oil The people is not always
the voice OF God. But when the people
are in the wrong they are to be set Alright
by education aud not by the passage and
execution OF laws obnoxious TO the people
however good these laws IN themselves
mry he when considered, Rather than
to comply with The wishes of the people
in the execution of bad law a statesman
will resign his office. lie will not consent
TO be the agent Of the people in wrong do
ing. The first and foremost thing to be
done by the persons appointed to guide
:he state Is to see that the will of the peo-
pie expressed in the constitution and laws
is right. Right, not as TO party whlms
and notions, but right according TO the
laws OF creation and eternal jus,i ice. No
Statesman can lose sight OF the head lands.
impossible barriers, maelslroms, whirl-
winds and earthquakes that exist in the
wide domain Of the political world, and
have as much to do with the rise and fall
OF nations as the tides and storms and
headlands OF the two great oceans have TO
do with the safety OF the ships that sail
over them. All the powers of earth, ma
ture, heaven aud hell, are leSgued against
robbers and murderers. The State that
does not prove 10 be terror TO such evil
doers will surely meet with disaster. Vice
and crime are the highways to destruction
To heaven DEGREES that whoever goes that
way shall hear voice above tho surf,
crying, thus far shalt thou come and no
farther, and here shalt thy proud ways be
staid. The service OF Statesman is not
unlike that of pilot who steers a ship.
He studies chart and knows how to sail
clear OF all Instructions. The best code OF
civil and social law was written more than
three thousand years ago. It existed In
the nature of things long before 1t was
written and is older than the everlasting
hills and vii endure throughout all ages,
perfectly adapted To the wants of mankind.
II needs no amendments. 1t was written
with the finger of God on two tablets of
stone. The best expounder OF the statutes
contained in this ancient code of laws was
born in Bethlehem Of Judea, and would
not suffer in comparison with Washington,
Jefferson, Blackstone, Clay or Webster, or
any other modern statesman. The rules
OF siaiesmanship in present and future de.
mand that the ancient code should govern
the statesmen of the republic, be taught IN
our schools and colleges and be deeply i'm
pressed upon the mind of every American
citizen us The fundamental law OF the land.
JUROR.