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8 of American progression. It would seem that Heaven had reserved for American genius, the discovery and development of the great and sublime principle, that self-government must be made the basis of civil government, and national prosperity. Our fathers having discovered this important principle; and, conscious of its great excellence, and utility, they framed the Constitution in accordance with its spirit; which, in fact, is nothing more than a political chart; applying the principles of self-government to the government of the nation. In this new economy, these immortal patriots placed at the head of the government the constitution, the laws, and the judiciary; which control and supervise all the legal affairs of the nation; answering substantially the same purposes in civil government; as the conscience of the good man does in the great work of self-government. The object of American jurisprudence is justice and well-doing; and the office of an enlightened, righteous conscience is the same.

Next in subordination to this first and controlling law of national justice, is the legislative power; whose legitimate business consists in cultivating and aiding the national conscience in the administration of justice, by modifying, adapting, and improving the national jurisprudence, so as to meet the increasing and varying interests of a growing Republic. The analogy between the operations of the intellectual powers, aiding, enlightening, and improving the salutary government of conscience, in the wise and good man; and the official duties of legislation, in sustaining and promoting the national judiciary, is too clear and striking, to be overlooked by the most superficial observer; nor does the comparison end here. Not only does a well-regulated conscience, in self-government, answer to a sound and wise jurisprudence in the national government; while the intellectual powers and State legislation are harmonious in their personal and social labors; but we may trace a similar analogy between the will, which executes the mandates of conscience and the intellect,—upon the same principles as the American President,—in the just and rightful discharge of his duties,—executes the laws of the Union, in obedience to his official oath; which requires him to administer the laws, without negligence, violation, or perversion.

While the moral affections in man, in their legitimate sphere, under the control of the conscience, the intelectualintellectual [sic] powers, and the will, occupy by far the most extensive control in the jurisdiction of self-government; so, in the affairs of state, the great majority of the American people are governed more by the power of moral suasion, as expressed by public opinion,—founded on their evangelical religion, and the diffusion of useful knowledge,—than by the power of legal coercion. As the physical powers of man harmoniously aid and sustain the intellectual powers, the conscience, the will, and the affections of the well-disciplined man; so the physical resources of the country and the ligaments of commerce, nourish and bind together the body-politic with as much stability, success, and harmony, as self-government promotes the highest and best individual interests. On these principles is founded the American government; which has clearly revealed to the world the Republican principle, that a free, educated, and religious, people can govern themselves without the aid of kings or queens; and in the absence of royal aristocrats, or the pomp of nobility.