Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-04-23

Atlantic seaboard living undor diverse
influences yet they became homogono
Gus people but with jealous regard for
individual freedom and local sell. gov
ernment. Union began in the need of
concert of action for commercial rela-
tons and common defense. 1t strength
cnod, in mutual suffering and sym
pathy in the struggle between England
and Franco for the supremacy over tho
continent 1t was finally welded in
tho common resistance 10 tho tyranny
OF the mother country. Tho pioneers
OF Virginia and Massachusetts, had en-
countered like perils and had like
experience in their struggles and sue
cess. Their SONS had fought the same
enemy on the plains of Quebec and in
tho Valley of the Ohio. Their leaders
had together planned for the protection
of their common rights and liberties.
Lexington and Bunker Hill marshaled
to battle Il people already united under
great principles and for great purposes,
and for whose success they were ready
TO pledge each TO the other their lives
their fortunes and their sacred honor.
THE SECOND GREAT roLicY.
But with this unifying influence
there was always present a second great
policy, the right Of local self govern.
ment the individuality of the colonies
and colonists, Indeed, this was an
essential condition. No statesman
could disregard it; no union was posi-
BILE without its recognition. 1t was
early manifest in freedom Of worship.
The Puritan of New England, the
Dutchman OF New York. the Quaker of
Pennsylvania, the Roman Catholic of
Maryland, with only the Potomac sep
arating him from the English church
man of Virginia, and the HuguCpot of
the Carolnas all lived in peace,
which by peril and mutual interests
strengthened into common fellow
ship, but each asserted an individual
right he would never surrender. In
any union freedom of worship was tho
first necessity. 1t was dependent upon
and emphasized the right Of local self
government For safety there was Il
union, for liberty, self government; it
was safety with liberty, union with
government. So the Declaration
of Independence bound the colonies
each TO the other by most sacred
pledge asserting mutual dependence,
individual autonomy and united indie
pendence, and declaring 'that these
united colonies are and OF right ought
TO be free and independent States. ~
EVOLUTION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
Thon followed tho weary years Of com
mon action IN feeble Congress and Of
common suffering on the field Of bat
tie, Victory and Independence found
the colonies united, hut under an un.
stable government with disintegrading
tendencies Then of necessity was
evolved the Constitution ito form
more perfect union,'' and at the same
time ito secure the blessings of liberty
to ourselves and to our posterity. IS
Tho colonial seed had reached Republi-
can fruition; the national government
had received it's charter and an endur-
ing republic, the indestructib!e Union
of indestructible States, has been
established.
In the formation of the Constitution,
and especially IN its development under
amendment and construction, there
were discussion and difference of opin.
ion over fundamental principles and
the proper scope and functions of gov
eminent. This was natural. necessary
and wholesome in free and intplli-
gent people, and led inevitably 10 di.
vision into parties The very freedom
of thought, speech and action guar
anteed in the early amendments meant
such result. Political opinion was not
TO be cnerced or controlled nor unan-
unity over policies or candidates to be
expected. Agitation, discussion, not
silence and indifference, were the
eternal wig lance'' which should pro
serve liberty. 81 were evolved political
parties with their policies ana leaders.
thelr duties and responsibilities. he
tlmo was rlpe and tine leadera were
ready. Three stood Foremost III public
esteem, conspicuous for thcir scryicea,
their influence and legdnr4hip. First
cane Washington. lUyoi by Il whole
people whom he had ed tu victory.
established in poace iud On governed
with devoted patriotism and I'M
partiality which kucW no party diyi.
sion and could not limit Ms inNuence
to party lines. With tArrunf,lcnrc of
all and just to all, he could resi,in oyer
a uiscordant cabinet and ruyern a ,i.
vided people, but could not Nh a party
leader That work must Tal 10 hia
son Fagame the recognized lealor4 ~
distinct schools of political thought
and q conflicting policies ana rtrtie..
winch each upheld with signal ability
and un4uestioned patriotism. 10
Hamilton, fond Of English prrrcaapts.
reluctant to trust the people, duuStful
p thelr capacity TO govern Them
salyos, strong government scuGIc,, A
| necessity fvr tloir welfare and hanl-
ness and for tho preservation Of lihrrl,,
and property. lie would enlarge In,
construction the powers of the Congti-
| tutlun, creato n centralized, paterppl
| government, mako it dosinant over II
dependent people rather than the sub.
iect vi their sovereign will. With sin
cFrtty and singlonesa " purpose he
| sought no doubt The pp0p,B'B interest.
but with his light he could find il orJe
through and undor controlling pnwrr.
and hr looked upon them as the sui.
| Iects rather than the source OF govern.
| ment.
JEFFEhsoN THE PEOPLES CHAMPION,
| lclVnraon began at the othcr end. ii
his mind stoud first the rights OF ia,
individual, nest the power of tht
| people, and then to establish 10th 4
government guarantcoing Freedom anc
resting uron consent. l'ha corner
stone of his party Was thn truths ht
| had asserted as sclf-evldrnt in th,
Declaration Of independence, that al
men are created equal, endowed wifi
certain inalienHblc iFhln, 10 secure
which rights governments are ingli
tutcd, deriving their Just puwcrs fror
the consent Of tho government. O
necessity government was tu br ol
limited power and always under tht
control Of the people. 1t was moi 10 b,
q tyrant 70 destroy their rights nor Al
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