The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-14

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mother country Iha u.oneers OF Virginia
and Massachusetts, had encountered Ike
perils and had like experience IN their
struggles and succ si. Their sons had
fought the same en9my 0n the plains o.
Quebec and in the valley of The ONO.
Their leaders had together planned for
the protection of their common rights ami
liberties Lexington ana Bunker llil
marshalled 10 battle a people already
united under great principles and for
rreat purposes. and 4or whose success
they were ready TO llllge cach 10 the
other. their lives. their fortunes and their
sacred honor.
But with this unfiy'ng influence there
was always present "a sac0nd great pol
icy. the right oi local et-goyernment
the individuality Of TIE colonies and col-
onists Indeed this was an essential con
dltiOn No statesman could disregard II
no union was possible without It's rccog-
ntion 70 was carly manifest iu freedom
of worship. The Puritan of New Eng
land. the Dutchman 0f New York. the
Quaker OF Pennsylvania. the Roman Cath
ollie Of Maryland. witl only the Potomac
separating him FROM Ie English Church.
man of Virginia. and Tire Hugucnot of thC
Carolluas an lived in peace, which by
peril and mutual interests strengthened
into q common fellow hip. but each as
serted am individual r ht Dee would never
surrender. lu amy gnh "a freedom of Wor-
ship was the first noq ssity 10 was dc-
pendent upon and on zod fhc r.eh' oi
local eelf-poyerilma Dl For safety There
was union. for liberty If-gOyernmcnt,
90 was safety with liberty. union with self
government So tle declaration OF indie
pendence bound the colonies each TO the
..ff I.r u..rDI r.'..fHu
mutual dependence. individual autonomy.
and uitcd independence and declaring
that these united colonies are and OF
right ought 10 Dee free and independent
States."
VICTORY AND INDEPENDENCE
Then followed thc weary years Of COM
mon action I'm feeble congress and OF
common suffering on the field Of battle.
Victory and independence found the coli
onics united bur under an unstable gov
eminent. with dislntegrating tendencies.
Then OF necessity was evolved the con
sttuti0n "to form more perfect union
and - the same time ''to secure the
blessings of liberty 60 ourselves and our
pOstority." The colonial seed had reach
ed republican fr1iuon. the national gov
eminent had received its charter. and
am enduring republic. the indestrucuble
union Of indestructble States, had been
established.
ln the formation OF the constitution.
and especially in its development under
amendment and construction, there We're
discussion and difference OF opinion over
fundamental principles and the proper
scope and functions of government This
was natural. necessary. and Wholesome in
"a free and intelligent people. and Ted in-
evitabiy 10 division into parties The
very freedom Oi thought speech. and ac-
ton guaranteed in the early amendments
meant such result. Political opinion was
not 10 Dee cOerced on controlled. nor una
nmity over policies or candidates 10 DE
expected. Agitation. discussion. not si-
lence and indifference. We're the eternal
vigilance which should preserve liberty.
So were evolved political parties. with
their policies and leaders their duties and
responsibilities. The time was ripe and
the leaders We're ready Three stood fore
most in public esteem, conspicuous Tor
their services. their influences, and Lead
ersnip. First came Washington. loved by
a whole people. whom he had icd 10 VIC
tory. established in peace. and then gov
ernod with a devoted patriotism and inn
Partially which knew no party division
and could not limit his influence to party
lines With the confidence of all and
just 10 al. he could preside over dis
cordant cabinet and govern a divided peo.
pie, but could not be party leader That
work must ian 90 his subordinates. So
Hamilton and jefferson became the recog-
nized leaders of distinct schools Of poliu-
cal thought and OF conhTting policies and