New Britain herald., 1923-11-10

I are all embarked in the same cause ! with us, and we must all sink or swim together. Shall we throw the
 constitution overheard because it
 does not please us all alike? Sup pose two or three of you had been
 at the pains to break up piece of
 rough land and SOW it with wheat;
 would you let it lie waste because
 you could not agree what sort of .
 fence to make? Would it not be
 better to put up a fence that did not
 please every one's fancy, rather than
 keep disputing about it until the wild
 beasts came in and devoured the
 crop? Some gentlemen say, Don't
 be in a hurry; take time to consider.
 I say, ,AThere is time to SOW and a
 time to reap. We sowed our seed
 when we sent men to the federal con- yention, now is the time to reap the
 fruit of our labor: and if we do not
 do it now, I am afraid we shall never
 have another opportunity"
 There spoke the common sense of the common man of the Common
 wealth. The counsel of the farmer
 from the country, joined with the resolutions of the workingmen from the city, carried the convention and the constitution was ratified. In the light of succeeding history, who shall say, that it was not the voice Of the people, speaking with the voice of infinite authority?
 The attitude of Samuel Adams, William Shepard. Jonathan Smith and the workingmen of Boston tc' ward government, is worthy Of ous constant emulation. They had not hesitatcd to- take up arms against tyranny in the Revolution, but hav- ing established a government of the people they were equally determined to defend and support it. They hated the usurper, whether king. or parlia- ment, or mob, but they bowed before the duly constituted authority Of the people. @
 When the question of pardoning the convicted leaders of the rebellion came up, Adams opposed ii, Tn monarchies," he said. the crime Of treason and rebellion may admit ot being pardoned or lightly punished: but tho man who dares to robe against the laws of a republic oug { to suffer death" We arc all gi I mercy prevailed and pardon wis granted But the calm judgment ,f Samuel Adams, the lover of libe.ty. I "the man of the town mee.ing" whose clear vision, taught by bitter experience, saw that all usurpation ls tyranny, must not go unheeded now. The authority of just government derived from the consent of the gov erncd, has back of it 8 power that does not fail. a J
 All wars bring in their trafl grest hardships. They existed in the day of General shepard. They exist now. Having set up a sound government in N Massachusetts, having secured their independence. as the result of a vic- torious war, the people expected q season of easy prosperity. Tn that they were temporarily disappointed. Some, rebeling, were overthrown. The adoption Of the federal consii- tuition brought relief and prosperity.
 Success has attended the establish- ment here of q government Of the people. We of this day have just fn- ished a victorious war that has added new glory to American arms. We arc facing some hardships, but they are not serious. Private obligations are not SO large as to be burdensoms. Taxes can be paid. Prosperity abounds. But the great promise of the future lies in the loyalty and de- votion of the people to their own gov ernment. They are firm in the con- viction of the fathers, that liberty is increased only by increasing the de- termination to support government of the people. as established in this ancient town. and defended by ifs patriotic sons.