For this end we must turn our attention to public men and to public transactions, with a large open eye, and with a discriminating spirit; otherwise, we can never reach the ideal of a high, noble commonwealth. And here we catch a glimpse of duty to governors. And here I would say, most seriously, that we, who are private citizens, should learn ourselves, and teach our children, to respect all constituted authority, to reverence the laws, and to fear our rulers. The fact thatthis is a republic, voids not the remembrance of the sacred Word, that"the powers that be are ordained of God."[1] If, therefore, we would more and more approach ideal governmental superiority,—while, indeed, studying our rights, jealously Avatching the safeguards of liberty, in a free state like this,—we should always maintain a manly forbearance, and that generous balance of thought and inclination which eschews the blustering demagogueism, whose tendency is to make rulers insecure in their high places, and cause weak minds in authority to cater to public prejudice and passion. Rulers should never fear the people; and it is the depth of meanness in a man, or a number of men, who would create a public sentiment, which would so relax rule and authority, that it should fall away to magisterial sycophancy and official mean-spiritedness.
As the people, so also their rulers, are bound to give their free gifts for the high ends Ave have pointed out in civil government. And here two things stand out prominently, and can never be forgotten by rulers without treason to God and recreancy to the state.
- ↑ Rom. xiii. 1.
