The Penn's Grove record., 1923-09-07

fundamental maxims of true liberty.
The basis of our political systems is the
right of the people to make and alter
their constitutions of government But
the constitution which at any time eX-
lists, till changed by a explicit and au-
thentic act by the whole people, is
sacredly obligated upon all. The very
idea of the power and the right of the
people to established government, pre-
supposes the duty of every individual
to obey the established government.
"Al Instructions to the executions
of the laws, all combinations n as
sociations, under whatever plausible
character, with a real design to direct,
control, counterfeit, Or w the regular
deliberation and action of the cOnsti-
tuted authorities, are destructive of
this fundamental principle, and of
fatal tendency. They serve to organ
ize faction, to give it an artificial and
extraordinary force-to put in the
place of the delegated will of the ma
ton, the will of a party, often a small,
but artful and enterprising minority of
the community; and according to al
ternate triumph of different parties,
to make the public administration the
mirror of the i'll concerted and incon-
gruous project of faction, rather than
the organ of consistent and wholesome
plans, digested by common counsels,
and modified by mutual interests.
However, combinations or associa-
tions of the above description may
now and then answer popular ends,
they are likely in the course of time
and things to become potent engines,
by which cunning, ambitious, and I'M
principled men will be enabled to sub
vert the power of the people; and to
usurp to themselves the reins of gov
eminent; destroying afterwards the
very engines which have lifted them to
unjust dominion.
Edwards the preservation of your
government, and the permanency of
your present happy state, it is requi-
site, not only that you speedily dis
c~ountenance irregular oppositions to
its acknowledged authority, but also
that you resist with care the spirit OF
preteXts. One method of assault may
be to effect, in the forms of the con-
stitution, alterations which will i'm
pair the energy of the system, and
thus to undermine what cannot be
directly overthrow. In all the changes
to which you may be invited, remem-
Der that time and habit are at least
as necessary to fix the true character
Of government, as of other human in
situations; that experience is the sur
est standard, by which to test the real
tendency of the existing constitution
Of a country; that facility in changes,
upon the credit of mere hypothesis
and opinion, exposes to perpetual
change, from the endless variety of
hypothesis and opinion; and remem-
Der, especially, that for the efficient
management of your common inter
ests, in a country so extensive as ours,
a government Of as much vigor, as IS
consistent with the perfect security of
liberty is indispensable. Liberty it
self will find in such a government,
powers properly distributed and
adjusted. it's surest guardian. 1t is,
indeed, little else than a name, where
he government is too feeble to with
stand the enterprises of faction. to
each member of the society
the limits prescribed by the
laws, and to maintain all in the secure
and tranquil enjoyment of the rights
# person and property.
To be continued