Page:The History of Liberty.djvu/16

 We see in all this—which has been considered—that God has freely and fully—without any reservation, or restraint, save that of a moral kind——committed---surrendered and entrusted to the people with all their ignorance—and error—vice and folly—the highest and most important interests and considerations that can employ the time the talents and intellect of human beings—: yea the whole of their interests and destinies are freely and fully put into their own hands—, with no other guardian over them but reason, which is often blind, common sense—, which is sometimes a common fool—, and conscience, which is sometimes both a fool and blind. And yet with no other guardians than these, behold the immense, the tremendous interests that Gad has committed and intrusted to us! And how, would a philosopher whose egotistic estimation of himself is equalled by his cynical scorn and contempt for what he terms the swinish and brutish people, how would he ask can a people thus ignorant—vicious and erring ever learn to know and use these immense interests aright, which you say the Gospel has revealed and put into their keeping and care?—Simply, Mr. Philosopher, just as a child will learn to walk, by giving it the liberty to learn: and in its first efforts, you will behold—if your philosophy will permit you to stoop to humble things—, in the child’s first efforts in the great experiment it is about to make, you may see a simple but beautiful commentary on that text, which can never be exhausted by philosophers—or sages or by the nation highest advanced in all knolwwl [sic]edge, arts and improvements—that of proving, or trying all things. That little toddling child, will give you the first lesson in the mighty circle of wisdom, philosophy—liberty and truth: it tries all things within the reach of its tiny hands and the compass of its infantile knowledge; and mark how firm and fast it takes hold of what it considers good and safe, when sudden fear of falling alarms its anxious bosom. But in process of time that same feeble and helpless child becomes a powerful man, whom, it is much more safe and wise to respect, than insult. And just so with the people; they must walk by the same rule--and acquire knowledge and wisdom by experience. And the only way they can acquire the right use of their sovereignty is just to use its and the only way they will ever learn to use and enjoy freedom aright is just to let them use and enjoy it. Every thing in this life is in the progress of experiment—and all truth is the result thereof—; everything must be proven or tried; to this man is appointed, and if one thing won’t do, try another, and another, until we ascertain what will do; and then hold fast. What is political,