EXCELLENCE OP OUR REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT. 251 



LESSON 113. 



^Excellence of our Republican Government 



■*• 



fiT is the just pride of the peopie of the United States^ 

 at they have attempted a mode of government which di- 

 vests itself of all the support which is derived from the ho- 

 nest weaknesses and attachments of the human mind ; which, 

 disclaiming all alliance with reverence of ancient authority, 

 or the deep-rooted habits of unthinking obedience, trusts 

 itself, with no other attractions than its own moral worth and 

 dignity, to the custody of our virtues. By subjecting legis- 

 lative bodies to rule, and holding them under the restraints 

 of those fundamental principles and enactments, which we 

 call the constitution, we have given a new dignity and a 

 higher duty to law, and realized the noble idea of a moral 

 supremacy, clothed with power, to hold not only subjects of 

 the government to a just performance of their various indi- 

 vidual duties, but also the government itself, in all its depart 

 ments, in its proper place and sphere. 



In the brighter moments of our hopes for the future for- 

 tunes of our country, we may exclaim with Sir William 

 Jones — 



What constitutes a state 1 

 Not high raised battlement or laboured mound, 



Thick wall or moated gate ; 

 Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crowned ; 



Not bays and broad armed ports, 

 Where laughing at the storm rich navies ride ; 



Not starred and spangled courts, 

 Where low browed baseness wafts perfume to pride. 



No ! Men, high minded men, 

 With powers as far above dull brutes endued, 



In forest, brake, or den. 

 As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude ; 



Men, who their duties know, 

 But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain, 



Prevent the long aimed blow, 

 And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain : 



These constitute a state ; 



