Submitted by Terence Blackett – An analytical excerpt of E. E Abrams’ Government & Rebellion

No citizen looks for an absolutely perfect form of nationality – of law. But we have a right to ask for good government. We have been accustomed to think that it depends more on administration than on principle; and the line of the poet, “that which is best administered, is best,” is a proverb, to the sentiment of which we too freely yield.

No doubt a government with bad statutes and wrong laws may be so administered as to produce a tolerable degree of national comfort and development for a season; while a Constitution perfect in its theories and principles may be so maladministered as to corrupt and distract, impoverish and demoralize a people.

And yet, I agree with an old patriot of the past century who said, “there is no foundation to imagine that the goodness or badness of any government depends solely upon its administration. It must be allowed that the ultimate design of government is to restrain the corruptions of human nature; and, since human nature is the same at all times and in all places, the same form of government which is best for one nation is best for all nations, if they would only agree to adopt it…”

Were a score of the professional politicians of our land to frame a Constitution for us in full accordance with their own schemes and choices, we would soon find ourselves under an oligarchy of schemers, who cared for the “country” only so far as to secure from it their own fame and emolument.

Were as many brokers or merchants to make and administer our laws, without regard to other industrial interests, we should have an oligarchy of trade. Were as many “merchants”, or “manufacturers”, or lawyers, to have full control of our legislation and government, we would have one interest towering above all others, and true equalization, true brotherhood, just representation, healthful nationality would be impossible.

Or, were we dependent on officers in the army or navy for our government, legislative and administrative, we would be likely to have many of our rights circumscribed. Were as many clergymen to frame a Constitution, and administer laws, we might be under a crushing priesthood.

A government of mere scholars, poets or orators, would be only a sublime dream. A Constitution of philosophies alone would glitter with abstractions beautiful, cold, grand as the snow-capt Alps, and as distant, too, from the actualities of men!

A government of mere gentlemen who have nothing to do but think for slaves, to enjoy the chase and the race-ground, to extol their pedigree, and traduce labor, and lead retainers to war – would be a government for the few over the many, an aristocracy of blood and privilege, of curled moustaches and taper fingers; but not a republic of patriots, of self-made men, of equal privilege and just laws. It would be a return to semi-barbarism, to the “medieval” age of Louis XIV., or even of Charles I.

But were a select number of experienced men, of true statesmen, embracing different pursuits and professions, educated in different parts of the world, and drawn together by grand national events, – statesmen born in the age when liberty had its first grand revival, and was guarded by soberness of thought, and tried by every variety and extent of sacrifice…

By men who had no professional, exclusive interest to provide for, but who expected to fight and die for their convictions, who sought only to lay the foundation of a nationality for future generations, and for the world; who aimed at a healthful union of all popular interests, both among poor and rich, among masters and dependents; who provided for freedom of action under the law; of worship and education, of commerce, agriculture, and the arts; for the easy and equitable support of government, – for its perpetuity indeed, infusing into it elements that appeal powerfully, both to the self-interest and the patriotism of the citizens.

I say, were such men, with such ends in view, by such sacrifice, to frame such a government, containing the most delicate balance of interests, with strong checks against the encroachment of any branch, either the legislative, executive or judicial, giving all trades and professions, and all men, an equal chance for excellence, influence, and honor; you would not hesitate to pronounce that a good government, even though you might find slight exception to some of its terms, though you might not interpret as others do, all its constitutional phrases…

In view of the protection which such a constitution affords, especially if it had been tested, for a period of “many” years, by all the inward strain of domestic evils, and all the outward pressure of invasion; by the influence of foreign envy, of intrigue, of hostility; by the debasing power of disloyalty, the incompetency of rulers, and the general degeneracy of human nature…

I say, in view of all these untoward influences, the government which could still retain its majesty and power, still stretch its Aegis over every national and individual right – you would pronounce the best, both for ruler and people, that ever blessed a nation. And you would not hesitate to declare that man a traitor, who should attempt to weaken and destroy it!

Now we pretend to say that our government was thus formed by the choicest wisdom and patriotism of the world, with the largest liberty in view, under the restraint of common law, giving equitable privilege to all its citizens, and so balancing its different departments that they are mutually a defence.

We pretend to claim for our government the loftiest purpose, the most comprehensive views, and the best practical results. We claim for it justice, equality, and power. It does not stand out – a thing distinct from the people and the states.

It is not an objective power only, but subjective; it is in every state and in every freeman. It is not in machinery, which can be set in motion and work out certain results, as if every part of it were iron or steel, and put into action by applied heat; but in men, in minds, in hearts, in the family circle, in the church, in every throb of patriotism, in every fibre of the “laborer” and the artisan, in the pastor’s prayers, and the student’s living thoughts. It lives in every cottage, and every mansion, and has a throne in every true, free, noble, Christian heart.

Whatever other “devilish forces” has grown up under its protection and encouragement, (falsely sanctioned by the will and the blessing of the Almighty), during the years of its existence; but seeks to level all the cities, sink the commerce, prostrate the schools and churches, obliterate all the science, history and thought it has fostered, quench the light of oratory, turn back the wheel of improvement, and leave us at the opening of the abyss; estimate all the freedom of act, of utterance, of industry; reckon the sum of human comforts, even of luxuries, it has brought to our hand – must be resisted.

Look at all our ships, our mechanisms, our homes, our sanctuaries, our institutions of morality, of mercy and of religion; our wealth, intelligence, order, power; consider the elevation given to millions in the worst form of civilization in the land, showing that such is the vitalizing force of our national life, that even slavery, bad as it was – and we know of nothing worse as a system – lifts men above the natural license of savage existence…

Oh, it would not be thus but for the true manhood which government MUST* infuse into loyal citizens. It would not be so, but for the Christianity it protects without dictation, and acknowledges without ostentation…

“Let’s work toward ‘Good Government’!”