14 turned pleadingly upon us from the depths of the future, as sways in our hands the balance of their destinies. However lively upon such an occasion be our joy, springing from private, social, or political sympathies, it should be overshadowed by that arising from the higher considerations of the intrinsic, paramount value of free principles to the world. It becomes every American citizen to rise above the sphere of irrational impulse, in which the great herd of mankind, obeying the nod of their masters, have in all ages, under such circumstances, acted, and to think, act, and applaud, as those in whose acts the world is interested. It should mean — Thirdly, The joy of the people in the vindication of the laws. The laws are the common property of the nation. ' Every man has a personal interest in their preservation, and a right to demand that they shall be honored. The very existence of free government, as well as the enjoyment of the benefits it is designed to confer, depends upon the sacredness in which the laws are held in their making and execution. The stability of God’s moral government in the Universe rests upon the sanctity with which the moral law is held in the mind of the lawgiver. All observation indicates that in proportion as men entertain the idea that God holds but lightly the laws he has promulgated, in that proportion does the authority of his law sink in their esteem. The estimate in which a ruler holds his laws can be known only by his faithfulness in their execution, and when violated and punishment fails to be inflicted, the logic of the subject is, “ the lawgiver treats his laws as unworthy of execution, and why should I hold them worthy of obedience.” And as in the moral government of God, his authority depends upon the views
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