The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-11-12
Selections from The Christian NGighboF
Observation-Disclosures.

Observation-Disclosures. D
Liberty" "Freedom," "Indepen-
dence" are words fondiy used by mer
but not always with correct undt
standing of their meaning. Max
either of the three words to in.
the meaning of the others, let -rn-,
meaning be freedom from control OF
government by others, as when on
nation is free from the control of an
other nation. In case of victory IN
contest between nations for the rigE4
OF power to govern the people of tn
victorious nation rejoice in their libe
erty-their right to govern Themselves
Though such people may be, FRI
from the dominion of the "enemyp y
are the victors not under the control
government of their own .rilers?Hl
such case are they not governed Z
men of their own nation though it
directly or Indirectly of their ow
choosing? That is to say, they hay
the right of self-government-a de
mocracy or a republic. These proceed
ures of rulers and people are not only
based on the right of seIf-government
but on the assumption that they have
the power to govern themselves, an as
sumption which involves the question
that should concern any pe'ple who
would aspire to the establishment on
maintenance Of a Republic.
The power of a nation to govern 1t |
self depends on the predomihance
selfgovernment among the peopleY
and the exercise of that power in thS
government of the people. The poWI
er of self-goverpment in a nation Is
but the aggregate Of the self-govern-|
ment which obtains with the individ1
ual subjects of the government. The
whole is the sum of all the parts. II
is only by the reins Of government be-
ing in the hands of the such self-goS-
erning that a republic can long exist,
the lack of such lodgment Of, power
will bring any people to the condition
of ancient Israel when the Lord by
his prophet declared, 20 Israel, thou.
hast destroyed tlIyself." Hosea Tiii !,
8. 80. .sls
What is self-government? 1t is thl
exercise of the power to "abhor tha}
which is evil and cleave to that which
is good" in .tavor. Of the latter. tn
practical and practiced creed of Pau
is that which character.zes every subj
iect of self-government': Il keep un-
der my body and bring it inlo subjec-
tion: lest that by any means, when l
have preached to others, | myself
should be castaway." I Cor. iz,:27.
The principle and condition of safety
ia Paul's case and that of all individu-
ais as well obtains alike in nations.
Whence comes the power of self
government? 1t comes Of the yTffF
dwelling and ruling of the Spirit Of
Christ by whose strength can true self,
government only be. obtained With
either individuals or nations. A u
ton may be all else that it is possib
for it to be yet the lack of acquiescen
in and subsection to the governments.
the Spirit of Christ through the ins
viduals to the aggregate will certai:I
sooner or later result in the desire
tion-castaway--of any nation, tb's
United States being no exception
the fate of other republics that, h.
built on the sandy foundation oft
assumption that men, without subj.
ton to Christ are capable of selt-gl
ernmert. The widest, and the noe
dest scheme for the certain destruct
of republic is universal unquah
sIlffraQe ''.-fN