CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 21 



The Puritans, however, were disincHned to imitation, original in de- 

 vice, they were obstinate in adhesion. Theirs was not a disposition will- 

 ingly yielding to contentment. Indulged beyond ordinary generosity by 

 the kind-hearted Dutch, they were unable to resist the opportunity for 

 gloom}' criticism upon the usage of the Sabbath by their gentle hosts. 



They came to the New World self-poised, indomitable, fearing God, 

 but fearless of man, to hew their path to fortune, and hew out of that path 

 all who stood in their way. It was no worldly fortune they sought, but 

 the fortune of grace in the Church, and freedom in the State. 



They were here on Long Island to lay the foundations of a govern- 

 ment that should unite freedom with protection, and through years of la- 

 bor, misfortune, trial and oppression, they laid those fountlations, and on 

 them, this day, rest our prosperity and happiness. 



They brought the common Law of England as their s}-stem of juris- 

 prudence rather to draw from its powerful and rich principles whatever 

 might suit occasions, than to establish it as the law of their new land. 

 The disposition of our Puritan ancestors necessarily inclined them to codes. 

 They found in the laws of Moses a system of compensatory penalties that 

 fitted their stern and solemn views of individual relations, and borrowed 

 from its suggestive principles in framing their temporary government. 



With such a people you may conceive that morality in the State would 

 be inflexibly administered, and the early history of our countv assured us 

 that no indulgence was granted to the vicious or indolent. Virtue and in- 

 dustry were compelled by the authority of the communities. 



Upon what did any authority during the 43 years following the settle- 

 ment of the county and preceding its legal formation rest .'' Could any 

 man show a commission as Justice under the Broad Seal ? Could any 

 man in arresting an ill-doer point to his warrant and justify his act bv its 

 teste in the name of a magistrate deriving power from the Crown; or from 

 any government acknowledged among nations ? 



"Will you know,'' writes the brilliant and elegant Bancroft, "will 

 you know with how little government a community of husbandmen mav 

 be safe," and he points to East Jersey in its comparative infancy as a prac- 

 tical answer to his question. 



Far more striking, as an instance of a well-ordered community, exist- 

 ing without other government or laws than such as originate from the exi- 

 gency of the hour, and the wisdom and purity of character of a handful of 

 colonists, firm in religious fiith and devotion to civil liberty, is presented 

 l)y the scattereil English settlements within the limits of this county Co^ 

 forty-three years succeeding their first establishment at Southampton. These 

 early societies formed distinct political bodies upon the geographical bases 

 of their respective purchises from the Indian owners. Habit suggested the 

 township as a form of municipal organization. No statute determined its 

 limits, or regulated the duties and obligations of its citizens Society, in 

 some respects, was returned to its original elements. In New England, 

 Royal charters were the source of authority. Direct communication with 

 England enabled the colonists of Plymouth — the Bay — and those as well on 

 th J Connecticut river, to maintain a relation of legitimate dependence and 

 avail of protection from the powerful Home Government, vet enter upon 

 undertakings tiiat government sharply disapproved. Tlius the New En- 

 gland settlements were iavored. No charter existed here. The opposite 



