Year: 1865

The phrase which is now used as n rai,ying cry
by the Democratic party, "that this is white
mans country" and which they are seeking to
embody in their policy towards the South, express
as the very lowest conccption of government.


1t is low conception of government that it ex
lists merely for projections; in other words, to keep
the hands Of on man from inva1 ling the person or
property OF another. The true reason Of political
society is the education and elevation of our hu-
manty. 1t is not merely 10 lire but 10 Ere ,ceU.-
The true political economy is not wealth, nor com
merce nor works of internal improvement, nor
anything that enters into what is commonly called
national prosperity, except as subordinate to a
nobler aim. and that is to carry the human culture
TO its highest perfecton-to produce the noblest
style of man collectively and in each individual
embraced in the political organization. IL is to
raise US from that low, selfish, animal individual
izng lie which We live, each man by himself, into
that higher aud more rational humanity which we
live with others. 1t is this alone that makes the
state truly what false and ignorant conservati SIN
is SO fond OF styling it-a divine institution. 1t is
this alone that can realize the old Socratic idea
which is iever to be surrendered-the glorious
dream of n perfect earthly republic hose 'rulers
are philosopher" and in whose temple there
dwelleth the "perfect righteousness" 1t is this
alone that raise to its highest dignity the state
on earth, by making it one, at last with the upper
politeuma, or church "that cometh down from God
out of heaven"


This is the Bible doctrine Of the State. Such,
too. however improperly conceived, was the view
of the great thinkers of antiquity. With them,
however, it had one most serious and vital defect
They founded the state too much, or too exclu-
sively We might say, race, and hence their fall
ure. Christianity has changed this by bringing in
new principle; and now human political institu-
tons have another trial, with a better, though it
may be long delayed, hope. 1. has brought out and
placed in front that glorious truth which Paul
preached on Mars Hill, in the midst of the race
bigoted Athenians: "God hath made Of ono blood
all nations OF men to dwell upon all the net of the
earth" The aim of The Christian state is no long
er to make the best Greeks, or the best Romans.
or the best AngoSa xons, but the best men. 1t is
no longer "whitc" mans government, any
more than it is red mans or black mans. All
such preposterous assumptions stamp il as anti
Christian and forfeit its claim to be regarded as
vicegercncy of God. lf We may use the language
Of the mart and mandatory, the great business OF
the state is to turn out the best specimens Of the
article homo. In other and better words we may
say: its lofest ideal its divine mission, is to help
all the weak, to lift up all the fallen, 70 raise to
the highest culture of which he is CAPABLE every
son of Adam that breathes upon its territory


This Is not q theme for mere essay writing. Il
involves the greatest and most practical, auestion
now before this nation We boast OF having gone
beyond others iu social and political science, but