Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1910-05-12

In his speech on German Day at
New Ulm, in Austin county, on Octo-
Der 18th, 1909, after discussing the part
the German-Americans have taken In
the settlement of Texas, its develop
ment and in the war for the indie
pendence OF Texas and in the Confed-
eracy, o. B. Colquitt discussed local
self-government, tolerance and law en-
forcement.
He said in part:
5road-Mlnded and Liberal.
The German-American IL perhaps the
broadest-minded, most liberal and con-
servative type of our citizenship. He
is liberal and charitable in his views
and opinions as to the religious, po-
litical and personal beliefs of all men.
He believes in the greatest liberty Of
thought and action consistent with
right living, good conduct and the or
DERBY observance of laws. At the same
time he Is conservative in his own hab-
its and views and does not indulge In
excuses either Of opinion or Of con-
duct. IL
In this his creed harmonizes with
that of the great men who laid the
foundation for the freest and best gov
eminent ever yet devised, and is In
consonance with the spirit of toler-
ance which actuated William Penn to
invite the Germans, the Swedes, the
Hollanders and the oppressed of all
nations to abide within the confines
of his possessions. This spirit of am
ity and of justice even brought the
savage Indian into leagues of friend
ship, whereas, in other instances,
where force and injustice we're ap-
piled TO him, he revolted and rebelled
against 1t. The right of local self
government" even with the radical
governmental changes in England, re-
malned secure to the colonists In
Pennsylvania, and the spirit of toler
ance and of liberty cherished by the
German colonists was forceful aid
in the establishment Of the doctrine
that every man is free to do that
which he Wills, provided he infringes
not the equal freedom of any other
man." Since the days of the battle
of the Teutenberger forests, when the
great Hermann overcame the Romans.
the Germans have stood for this prin-
ciple Of liberty in government.
But there are some who would take
away from you the responsibility for
your personal conduct and confer its
regulation upon the State. The right
of local self-government which was
guaranteed to the Germans who first
settled in Pennsylvania is and always
has been one of the foundation prin-
ciples of democracy. 1t is firmly i'm
bedded in our Constitution, though
some would like to change it in one
particular and substitute prohibition
for "local option"
Local self.Government.
But local self-government was one of
the most cherished rights even of the
early eolonists. 1t was the one essen
tial protection against tyranny and
despotism. Every man prosecuted for
conscience sake felt the need of its
protecting principle. Roger Williams,
one of the greatest and best of men,
established firmly as the rule lin civil
things" in his colony this great prin-
ciple. 1t is also firmly established for
the government of the Baptist Church.
of which Roger Williams is the reputed
founder in America. This great rellg-
ious organization is one Of the COM
pletest establishments of the principle
of local selfgovernment to be found
anywhere. Each congregation or
church is separate and Independent of
any other and governs itself and regu-
lates its own internal affairs without
interference from any superior body.
In the regulation of its affairs in each
Baptist congregation Is embodied the
principle of pure democracy in the ex-
ercise of their church government.
This was the principle in the consti-
tuition for the government of Roger
Williams colony or town of Provi-
dence, though the latter was to control
"only in civil things" whereas the for
mer uses the same principle In his &C.
clesiastical government.
Our State Constitution does now and
should continue to apply the principles
of local self.control in matter affecting
the rights of the people of the coun-
ties of the State and of the precincts
and districts In the counties.
The system is akin to the principle
OF government of the Baptist Church
in this respect, and this denomination
is one of the greatest religious orders
in the world. Each congregation forms
complete government In itself, and
yet is a member of a great family OF
churches. 1t has the right to settle all
policies for itself and no other congre-
cation is entitled to interfere.
What grand and glorious example
and type of local self-government do
we find In this Illustration. When pas.
sion and prejudice and war split other
great denominations in twain this one
stood undisturbed by divisions because
each church was separate and indie
pendent in its own government. The
necessity for this freedom came from
the need OF liberty of thought and the
freedom of conscience unhampered by
the force of power antagonistic to its
free exercise.
Effects Of Tolerance.
have spoken of the tolerance OF
William Penn and Of Roger Williams