The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-02-08
THE ORIGIN OF GOVERNMENT
written for the News by D. H. NJ.

Itappears evident that the first
governments were not the result
Of deliberations. The usages of
the patriarchs, established with
out the sanction of Legislative as
semblies, gradually became the
first laws among mankind; consc-
quently, these cu.toms were the
origin Of all political regulations
that have either depressed or
ameliorated the condition Of the
human race in all succeeding
ages. In the different societies
that were formed after the con-
fusion of tongues, and the disper-
sion of "the people, at the build
ING of the Tower of Babel, were
persons noted for physical pow
er, skill, and bravery. Those
who enjoyed these blessings soon
acquired public confidence and
admiration. Hence the utility of
their services, and the favorable
opinion OF men, enabled them
gradually to acquire dominion.
The records of all nations prove
that the first rulers owed their
ascendency to the services they
had rendered society, or to mill
tary prowess.
Nimrod was the founder of the
first empire of which we have any
authentic account. We are in
formed by the sacred historian
that he was mighty hunter; and
we are led TO infer that the peo-
pie were often with him, that
they gradually put themselves
under his authority, and, in pro
cess of time, he conquered ma
tions, increased his power, and
founded the Babylonian, or Assy-
rian empire, for he became a
mighty one in the earth.
1t is a remarkable, but irrefu-
table fact, that the first human
governments were Of Il despotic
character; yet they were baneful
in their operation, and signally
failed in securing either the or
der, harmony, prosperity, or
tranquility of individuals peace
between tribes and nations, or
the permanent power and mag
nificence Of empires. The de
leterious influences Of arbitrary
will and unbridled passions of
rulers, the usurpation of human
rights by petty chiefs and mighty
monarchs, affected all classes,
and universal contamination and
depravity prevailed. Good rulers
raise nations to the palmiest
heights of prosperity, power and
happiness. Bad rulers depress
them to the lowest depths of cor
ruption, depravity and misery
In our country, then, how inn
portant it is that the people
should be thoroughly educated,
chat they may select good rulers,
and cause wise laws to be enact
ed and sustained; how important
it is then, for every one TO under
stand the elements OF political
science, and possess a knowledge
of the laws which are designed
alike to govern and protect the
rich and the poor, the ruled and
the rulers, "Sine lege, est sine
ratione, modo, ordine. ITO be
without law, is to be without rea-
son, order, and safety" The
chronicles of the day disclose the
existence of crime, and violations
of the laws TO an alarming extent
in our beloved country; frauds,
breaches Of public trust, thefts,
incendiarism, mobs, robberies,
murders and other revolving
deeds have attained a prevalence
at which all patriots may be just
ly alarmed
We are perhaps, all too certain
that our Country is rapidly ad-
vancing to power and renown--
too insensible of the accumula-
ting growth of ignorance and i'm
morality-too indifferent to the
gradual but silent progress they
are making towards sapping the
foundation of our laws, and over
whelming the institutions of the
public. Let us awake and be