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PETER'S NEW YORK, Wednesday, May 18, 2011--Several years ago, I procured an 1845 volume entitled First Lessons of Civil Government; including a comprehensive view of the Government of the State of New York and an abstract of the laws, showing the rights, duties and responsibilities of citizens in the civil and domestic relations; with an outline of the Government of the United States, adapted to the capabilities of children and youth, and designed for the use of schools. Andrew W. Young is the author.
In his 21st chapter, Young warns us that democracy itself does not guarantee good government, an observation that has been amply verified in our own time. He says:
"With our patriot fathers, the great object was, independence and liberty. With us let the question be, How shall our liberties be preserved? Whether the American people shall long continue to enjoy the blessings which our excellent constitution is capable of securing to them, depends upon what shall be the character and conduct of the people themselves.
"A nation, to be prosperous and happy, mut be virtuous. A community may live under a free constitution, and yet suffer all the evils of a despotism. The people may be their own oppressors. Bad laws in a republican government, are no less oppressive than in any other. Where there is not virtue in the body politic, bad men will be elected to office, and bad laws will be made.
"On the other hand, freedom may be enjoyed even in a monarchy. A wise and virtuous king will make good and wholesome laws; and his subjects may as truly enjoy civil and religious liberty, as the citizens of a republic. Freedom exists really wherever the laws are good, and where they are properly administered and duly respected.
"The people must also be intelligent. In general, the freedom and happiness of a nation are in proportion to its intelligence. If people are ignorant, they cannot govern themselves, Indeed, they know not what their natural rights are. Besides, if they are not well informed, they are liable to be deceived by intriguing politicians, who seek power only to use it for selfish purposes.
"Hence the necessity of vigilance also. As men in office are prone to abuse their power, they should be closely watched; and as they are but the servants of the people, they should be called to account for improper conduct: and the people must not suffer party prejudice to blind them to the errors of their greatest favorites.
"If, then, we would continue a free and happy people, we must be intelligent, virtuous, and vigilant. Our liberties may be preserved; and they WILL be preserved, as long as the general diffusion of useful knowledge shall continue to be liberally encouraged, and the conduct of our citizens in their social and political relations, shall be governed by religious principle, and a genunine and enlightened patriotism."
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