Page:The History of Liberty.djvu/14

 will; then indeed, is the voice of the people the voice of God: and official men of every rank, and order, are but the agents or servants of the people, in the broadest and fullest acceptation of the term. Kings, priests and tyrants, may teach otherwise—and argue otherwise, with tongue, pen and sword, and write their arguments in the blood of slaughtered nations, but it is against high heaven, they write, fight and argue, and in the end they shall eat their own arguments and swallow their own swords. They may prate too “ad libitum” about divine right, power and privilege; but they have yet to learn that whatever divine right, power and privilege there may be in the world—these all belong to the people to be exercised by them for their advantage, honor and happiness, through their official agents; be they kings, priests or what else. The great divine right of the people—the greatest of all, and one that embraces all and secures all, is to “prove all things and hold fast that which is good.” And oh what tongue of angel, or of man, can tell the heights of grandeur glory and greatness to which a people will arise; the lengths of prosperity and improvement to which they will go, when every member of the national body is actuated by the spirit of this command; and the national conduct and character is a practical commentary on this scriptural precept!

We will now proceed to substantiate the truths of these several statements just made. And this we will do by proofs deduced from the word of God, and from the history of his proceedings towards man.

Our general proposition in considering the great problem of Liberty, is that, under the dispensation of Grace, the people are the legitimate recipients and inheritors of all power, right authority and sovereignty. This great fact, we affirm, christianity. has revealed, to the people, and Liberty, conferedconferred [sic] upon them. The first proof we deduce from the sacred oracles of truth, is contained in that memorable answer which the Redeemer bid the messengers of John carry back to the doubting Baptist—; in the last part of that answer. “The poor have the Gospel preached to them.” Never had earth or heaven heard words of such momentous importance; words which shall fill heaven with praise and earth with felicity glory and joy. At such a declaration, and in view of the consequences that would ultimately result therefrom, hell from her deepest caverns of darkness and wo, might well be supposed to utter a deeper wail and a louder groan of anguish and terror than she had ever uttered; while the grim demon of universal tyranny and oppression in the deepest retiracy of his gloomy abode, would gnash and gnaw his tongue for