A second rate man will not answer the demands of the community. If you place in the executive chair, a man of feeble, or only ordinary intellect, he will conceive nothing for the advancement of the public interest-he will be controlled by narrow views and prejudices-his administration, will be a blank, in the history of the State. If you place a second rate man upon the bench, his work will not be done-and what he accomplishes, will be ill done. The wheels of justice will be clogged-he may work with the feeble capacity he possesses-but he will never finish. The calendar of causes will not diminishJustice will be delayed-which is an evil next to its denial -or he will decide, and neither party will entertain the respect for his judgment, which is justly due to the decisions of a court of justice. If you fill the halls of the legislature, with men at mediocrity, you may expect absurd legislation-an ignorance of the law, and a want of capacity for legislation. They must understand the theory, and spirit of the constitution, and the laws of the land, who undertake the business of Legisla. tion. The course of the Republic will soon be finished, if the people neglect to scrutinize the qualifications of their public officers. We have seen that it is a high moral duty, for a people, not only to adopt a proper form of government, but so to conduct under it, as to carry out its design. In discharging the latter branch of this duty, the elector must enquire in respect to each candidate for office-66 Is he capable, is he honest, is he faithful to the constitution?" If the elector judge aright, in these respects, the republic will be safe. How exalted then, is the position of every American citi. zen! How great his responsibility! How noble his task! The happiness of millions of his own countrymen-the inheritance by posterity of political liberty, and the hopes of mankind at large, are based and centered, upon the success of our grand experiment in self-government. The oppressed of all nations, are looking to our example, with the hope of ultimate deliverance. They seek an asylum upon our shores-and take shelter under our tree of liberty. We shall be false to ourselves-to truth-to freedom and humanity, if we falter in our high career, or fail to establish—the divine right of the people to govern themselves. QUESTIONS ON POLITICAL ETHICS. SEC. 1. AND II. What distinguishes man from other creatures? How are the actions of men in society restrained? How is man's duty in reference to government divided ? From what ought government to be free? What is said of the liberty of speech? Can a man be held responsible for the abuse of this liberty? How far can government interfere with this right? What is said of the sentiment of religion? Do men differ in their modes of manifesting it? Has government a right to establish any religion? Can government give any preference to one form of religion over another ? Can religious worship be forbidden by law? Is society endangered by perfect freedom of religion? What restraints can government impose upon the citizen? What is tyranny? Are the good and enlightened subject to any restraint under government, which their own natures did not previously impose upon them? What is said of the expenses of government? What is said concerning wars, and of avoiding them? Ought government to confide in the integrity and capacity of the people? For whose benefit do most governments appear to be constituted ? What is the duty of the subjects of such governments? What is said of partial privileges, and arbitrary titles and distinctions ? What ought to be our guide in the constitution of government? What form of government secures to all equal rights, privileges, and protection? SEC. III. How far has the constitution of our government reposed confidence in the integrity, intelligence, and vigilance of each citizen? Who is unqualified to discharge his duties as a citizen? What is expected of each citizen? Has each citizen a right to demand that any other shall do his duty? Can any properly refuse ? What does each citizen by consenting to live under our government, undertake? What is said of the duty of a citizen, in reference to health? What is said of moral and intellectual culture ? Ought each citizen to have an occupation-and for what reasons Ought every citizen to attend to the mental culture, and moral training of his children? Where is this duty first to be discharged? What is said of public ignorance and depravity? Is education of more importance under our form of government, than under any other? What ought the parent to devote to the cause of education? What reflections are given upon this subject? What results from a due appreciation of the citizen's duty, upon the subject of education ? What species of knowledge is peculiarly necessary for the young What effect has the vote of an ignorant and reckless citizen? 3. Upon the Social Bearing and Conduct of the Citizen. What is said of kingly governments? What characterises the frame of our political institutions? What effect ought our institutions to have upon the manners of the people? Ought we to practice republicanism, and where? What is said of simplicity? of foreign manners? What course ought a wealthy citizen to pursue in society? Is the possession of wealth, an index of merit? What estimate ought society to place upon the mechanic? Ought any distinction to be made in society, on account of a man's pursuit ? Has nature ordained industry? What is the common acceptation of “well born?” Who is in fact well born? Are the qualities of parents likely to be transmitted to their offspring? What is said of a good parentage? What does the spirit of our institutions dictate in regard to our social intercourse? Has government guaranteed perfect freedom of opinion? May not men in their social intercourse defeat this freedom? May tyranny exist, without authority of law? What is said of social persecution, for opinion's sake? Is the evil the same, whether a citizen is persecuted by law, or by public sentiment? Ought citizens to see that no one suffers for opinion's sake? What is said of religious toleration? What spirit ought to prevail among political opponents? What constitutes human excellence? 4. Duties more strictly of a Political Character, Ought the citizen to respect and reverence the constitution? What is said of the danger of executive usurpation? What is the citizen's duty, in reference to the legislative departmént? Ought the citizen to obey the laws of the country? Whence do laws emanate-and for whose benefit are they made? Who makes, amends, or abolishes laws? While laws exist, what is the citizens duty? May a citizen ever do violence in self-redress? Suppose his case is not provided for by law, what shall he do? Ought the citizen to respect the station of judge? What enables him to do this? What is the citizen's duty in regard to appointment of judges? From what class of men ought a judge to be selected? What ought to be his qualifications? May not the discretionary power of judges be abused? What security is there from this abuse? What case is stated, by way of illustrating judicial tyranny? How ought the bench of the country to be adorned? Ought judges to be appointed from one party, or from the whole body of citizens? What is the effect of diminishing the number of persons from whom the selections are to be made? Ought the judical station, to be freed from party influence, and why? May a citizen question the validity of any law? May a citizen resist the execution of a law by force? How is the validity of laws to be determined? At what point does the citizen's right of questioning the validity of a law cease? What is said of serving on juries? 5. The exercise of the Elective Franchise. Of what importance is the right of voting? What is the power of voting, in its very nature? Is its importance fully appreciated by all? What general observations are made on this subject? What is said of the corrupt exercise of the elective franchise? |