4
THE BATTALION
of the possible danger that may lurk behind it? Yet it has
been said “the strongest man, who, in the confidence of sturdy
health, courts the sternest activities of life, and rejoices in the
hardihood of constant labor, may still have lurking behind
his vitals a disease that dooms him to sudden collapse.”
This apothegm is no more true of a single individual
than of a nation comprising within it millions of individuals.
The human race has learned from experience that it must
always be prepared for exigencies, and that the adage, “in
time of peace prepare yourself for war,” is no longer meta
phorically considered.
When we cast our eyes to the different parts of Europe,
w T e behold, that in their efforts to strengthen and preserve
their respective governments, and keep them from the en
croachments of others, large armies and navies are main
tained and the strength of each government is signified by its
military power. But our condition and position are different,
we are not hemmed in by narrow bounds or threatened by
ambitious neighbors, and besides, as a nation that is destined
to set an example before all the other nations in the world,
let us hope that the time has come, at least for our land,
when the sword may be laid away to rest and the spider spin
his Aveb, unmolested over the cannon’s mouth.
But have we no other powers to fear? If we have, what
is their nature, and what must we do to prevent their in
gress?
To the student of American government, the danger that
surrounds our institutions will readily appear.
Before attempting to make an exposition of the case, let
me ask, what is government and what are its functions?
Government has been defined as being merely an instru
ment ef society, when men are united in groups, there arises
from their union the necessity of action on behalf of the
group. That part which attends to the business of the whole
is called Governmeno. A good government is one in which
as much as possible is left to the laws and as little as possi
ble to the will of the governors. Thus it is plainly evident