The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-08-28

then that this nation cannot voluntar-
ily 20 10 pieces, or become radically
changed In its organic form except by
a reputation OF its obligations, and a
remuneration Of moral responsibility
that would condemn its people in the
eyes OF the civilized world
This instrument which we call the
organic law binding all these common
wealths into one great strong nation
is neither expansive or cOntractible,
like an India rubber band, to adjust
itself to political expediency but under
its broad yet strong sane provisions,
every difficult problem arising In the
affairs OF our government can find
just and happy solution. Just and
happy. because there is enough intel.
ligence and moral rectitude among the
people TO bring about such results.
Underneath the machinery of con-
stitutional forms, and all the process
of making law, the real power lies in
the will of the people as expressed In
the ballot. The will Of the people thus
expressed, either does, or can repres-
ent the standard Of intelligence and
moral principles throughout the nat
ion. And their will either does, or can
find adequate expression in law, regu-
lating every phase OF the common
veal that needs the restraint of law,
preserving each and all, the full and
free use of their inalienable rights.
This is the true function of govern
ment, and ours is capable Of fully meet
| ing these requirements. II was form.
ed under the hand of God, by men Of
Intelligence, men of strong moral con-
yictions of righteousness 1t was
formed for an intelligent and morally
responsible people.
The nation was born, not of the vag.
aries OF dreamers, but out of condit-
ions that had been slowly but surely
ripening through the course of many
centuries until the world was in need
of and ready for just such q nation and
through the providences of God, the
time, the place, and the people, had
met for its fruition.
1t is not transitory in its nature. 1t
was not made for a transitional period
of time. 1t vas made to meet the de-
mands of the progressive future; and
so its foundation was laid in wisdom
and righteousness.
Then we need not fear for the fut-
ure, however difficult and persistent
may be the evils that arise against the
righteous administration of our juris-
prudence; they can and will be over.
come. The power lies in the hands of
the people and they will use II to sup
press the wrongs, to protect the right
| nf al ne
of the strong; of the minority as well
as the majority; of the masses and the
classes alike. The people may be
slow to rise in righteous judgment but
they will do so when the threatening
evil assumes distinct tangible shape as
an opDressor of civil rights and liber-
ties.
There is no doubt that this nation is
the field where many knotty problems
concerning the common weel OF world
wide Importance in the present and the
future, are TO find their beneficent SOL
ution, as 1t has already been in the
past. And let It be so; 1t will keep
the nation young and vigorous in the
centuries yet TO be.
But one thing the people must not
forget, that intelligence and moral
principles is the root and foundation
OF good government, and of wisely
solving the difficult problems in juris.
prudence
Then 1t is paramount that these
should abound throughout the length
and breadth of our land. The public
schools are indispensable for the main.
tenance of general intelligence, as Is
also the constant teaching of Chris.
tian ethics to maintain the highest
standard of moral principle. These
are not new maxims; the substance of
them is explicitly stated in the third
article of the Ordinance of 1887"
A. f. Barber.
bennington VI Aug l27 long