The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-19

"The Christian churches have more
| than kept pace with the increase Of popu-
/ lation, and they have at least 1G,000. 300
| members Nor are we behind any other
! nation in our charitable institutions and
| common schools"
Continuing, Mr.. Henry gave an in
| teresting and instructive review Of the
| origin and growth of our free institu-
| tons. saying that our wonderful progress
| as 4 nation is mainly due 20 them.
Further on Mr.. Henry said:
The colonists claimed the exclusive
right Of taxing themselves. through their
| assemblies. as they were not represented
in Parliament; and in no part Of the king
dom was this right more highly valued OF
more closely guarded.
After the colonies had become firmly
rooted their growth was rapid, and their
development I'm material wealth was truly
wonderful. BY the middle Of the eigh-
teenth century they numbered one-fourth
of the population Of the mother country,
and had become rtch and prosperous,
contributing largely to the wealth Of Great
Britain by their commerce. They had also
advanced in their ideas Of free govern
ment far beyond what was entertained In
England. and were not behind her I'm the
education and intelligence Of the people.
There was a tolerance in religion which
was not known in the mother country or
I'm Europe, and which was one Of the
strongest Inducements of the emigration
which crowded the ships leaving the ports
Of tho old world.
1t was now that Parliament, under the
dictation Of a weak but stubborn king,
and I'm contraventiOn ofthe English Con-
stitution. determined 10 tax the colonies
without the consent of their assemblies.
They respectfully demonstrated. then Wig
orCusly protested. and finally took up
arms I'm defence Of the great bulWark OF
their liberties. God gave them the victory,
and the dependent colonies became In
dependent states. In framing their State
governments they had the advantage not
only Of their own experience but OF the eK-
perience OF the wOrld-and most wisely
did they use IL. No great revolution was
ever led by abler men or by purer patriots.
Virginia was the first colony TO assume
independence and her Incompatible
statesmen, following English precedent,
framed bill OF rights setting forth the
fundamental principles Of her new gov
ernment This remarkable paper, the
greatest OF its kind ever penned. marked
the growth of free institutions I'm America
1t was copied more or less closely by the
other States, and became the foundation
of American government. OF IL Mr.. Ban
cIolt says ne NlIklulh Bill VI ftlbhtS
formed the groundwork Of American in
siitutions. 1t announced governmental
principles for all peoples for all time
II Was the voice Of Reason going forth 20
sI6ak a new political world into being
In concluding Mr. Henry said:
In the structure Of the Federal govern
ment the same principles were adopted
which lay al the foundation of the State
governments. The three great departments,
legislative, judicial and executive, were
made separate and distinct, the execu-
tive. however, retaining a conditional veto
upon the Legislative department The
legislative was made bicameral, the SEN
ate representing the States equally the
House Of Representatives the people pro-
portionally. The judiciary was made an
independent, coordinate branch Of the
government, vested with power TO pass
upon the constitutionality of the laws
State and Federal, and 10 declare nul
and void such as were not In accordance
with the Constitution. Thus the national
and State governments were 10 be Kept IN
their appropriate spheres. The executive
was charged with the execution or the
laws, ard made responsible FOR MS con-
Duct The treaty-maklng power was
vested In him. only 10 be exercised with
the consent OF the Senate. The powers
OF the government were enumerated and
were ample for the great objects OF its
creation. which were stated TO be, ITO
form a more perfect union, 20 establish
Justice. insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote
tho general welfare and secure the bless
ings OF liberty 10 ourselves and to our
posterity." Ii has been we'll said by an
able writer on our government, that"the
trainers of this government set before
themselves four objects essential 10 It's
excellence-namely
Its vigor and efficiency. The independ-
ence OF It's departments (as being essen
tial TO the permanency OF its form. Its
dependence on the people. The security
under IT OF the freedom OF the individual"
The first OF these objects they sought
by creating strong executive: the sec
ond by separating the legislative. execu-
tive and judicial powers from one an
other, and by the contriyance OF various