The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-07-22

tirciy.
In this change that has marked al
peoples America has not remained un
changed. Politically We appear to b
the same. Our political institutions
resting on the firm foundation Of tn
people, have not been shaken. The,
have been assailed, will be assaiIe,
both BY the unthinking and tn
vicious. Against all such assaults thil
University stands as a firm defense
Il was established that the inhabitantl
OF this State might be free. But how
be free. how come into the creates
libertyg Not by casting aside of al
restraint, but by the observance Of al
law, not by lack of self-control but b,
an intense discipline, and finally never
by ignorance but ever by a Larger
knowledge Of the truth. There may bs
an involuntary servitude but never an
involuntary liberty. 1t is ever pur
chased with a great price. II is moi
given or bestowed, it is acquired. The
American people in their sovereignty
must forever remember that to set
free King requires the ransom OF
King
The experience which the founders
Of this institution had lived out, the
educated people Of the present must
think out. They were the product of
a revolutionary but not a lawless
period. They were the countrymen of
James Otis who had appealed to the
law against the exactions and imposi-
tions of an unwarranted and unconsti-
tutional parliamentary authority. They
were the coutrymen Of Ethan Allen
who had appealed TO the law at Albany
against the Illegal grants Of an usurp-
ing landed ariStocracy When the
courts failed to administer justice they
defended their chartered rights and
legal titles with the might of their
swords. That which they had lost at
the hands of others they proceeded to
provide for themselves. In the midst
of the Revolutionary conflict the col
onlists were everywhere setting up
constitutions declaratory of human
rights but always secured by imposing
civic duties. Among the foremost was
Vermont, resolute Of mind, correct Of
action, conquering freedom by making
the sacrifices of the free. Indeed the
foremost achievement Of the period
WIS something more than independ-
ence. II was the establishment Of q
nation under the American Constitu-
tion. This was the acknowledgement
and declaration of the great principle
that larger liberty is TO be found in
the remission Of lesser freedom.
The former colonists gave up their in
merged their small estate
in the greater estate of the nation, re-
Tinquished the smaller privilege to be
and gained the greater power
TO be Americans. They had learned
The lesson that to submit is to govern,
10 serve is to rule.
Historically considered this conflict
mas never ceased. The right of a.
smaller freedom was the theme Of |
II was the principle Of
secession. u is the foundation Of all |
Ippeals to resist authority, to over
hrow government and destroy prop
rty. II is not service, il is not duty,
{ is not progress. 1t is the essence Of
'elfshncss. the substance Of reaction.
against all these forces America has
<. Der face for three centuries, the
onficts cf the past six years have
trengthento the determination of all
Ter people now as in the past to resist
II aggression and support and defend
Ter political institutions with what
yer power may be necessary for their
and the maintenance Of
he larger liberties they bestow upon
II her citizens.
Change In Economic Situation
This unalterable determination Of
he individual to preserve his heritage
( larger liberty while tending 10
tabilize civic conditions has tended 70
hange economic conditions. There
as been a creation Of new wealth and
vast redistribution OF wealth as yet
OF fully realized and tn effect Of
1hich has not yet been fully assessed. =
his readjustment mas not been ac-
omplished without strain. inconven-
nee. and some suffering the end Of
-hich Is not yet a great amount OF J
loney came into the country from war
applies furnished Europe. The sup
lies of al kinds Of materials were ex- r
austed by tie war. Our own popula- s
on was withdrawn from ordinary
,oduction and the great Increment
ON abroad ceased. The inevitable
suit - more money and less produc- ?
On Is an increase of prices This has {
.en aggravated BY the great require ,
ents of taxation Ultimately very I
uch of taxation. however levied. falls