d to develop the democratic idea
in the system of representative government. Politics is thus made to
harmonize and be at one with progress. The last-born of nations is set
for the teaching and developing of the last-born of governmental
principles. If, moreover, we regard America, according to the teachings
of physical geography, as the first-born of the continents, we may
discover another beautiful harmony. For our democratic system, in basing
itself on the idea of political equality does, in effect, start from the
very first principle of all true government; and this first principle of
government thus finds its temple and home in the first of the
continents.

But let us not be misled by specious names. Let us not mistake for
political equality the crude fancies of idealists, who would reverse the
order of creation, and declare an equality that does not exist.
Political equality neither assumes nor infers social equality; and
therefore is not subversive of social order. It does not presuppose
natural equality; and, therefore, is not contrary to palpable evidence,
and hence unphilosophical and false. Political equality is but the
corollary and logical result of that maxim of our system, set forth in
our Declaration of Independence, that 'government derives its just
powers from the consent of the governed.'

Political equality is, therefore, the essential condition of our
republic. It is the alpha and omega of our political philosophy. It is
the first factor in the problem of our government. It is the organized
idea of our nation, and is embodied in that nation. It is the lifespring
of our institutions. It is the basis of our government. It is what makes
the United States of America the hope of humanity.

While, therefore, political equality may not be the _fact_ of our
government, the nation stands for that idea. The founders of the
government were content with affirming the great idea; and they left to
the benignant influences of time and conscience and Christianity, under
our institutions, the work of reducing the idea to fact. For more than
half a century the work has gone on, and still 'goes bravely on.' In
peace and war the same magnificent Constitution is over us, and that
Constitution, avoiding designedly the odious word slave, is a chart and
covenant of freedom.

Directly opposed to this idea is the organization of the Southern
confederacy--the essential and substantial antipodes of our system. The
United