losing its occupation, and becoming contemptible to mankind? If
private men are obliged to perform the offices of government, to
protect the weak and dispense justice, then the government becomes
only a hired man, or clerk, to perform menial or indifferent
services. Of course, that is but the shadow of a government who
existence necessitates a Vigilant Committee. What should we think
of the Oriental Cadi even, behind whom worked in secret a vigilant
committee? But such is the character of our Northern States generally;
each has its Vigilant Committee. And, to a certain extent, these
crazy governments recognize and accept this relation. They say,
virtually, "We'll be glad to work for you on these terms, only
don't make a noise about it." And thus the government, its salary
being insured, withdraws into the back shop, taking the Constitution
with it, and bestows most of its labor on repairing that. When I
hear it at work sometimes, as I go by, it reminds me, at best, of
those farmers who in winter contrive to turn a penny by following
the coopering business. And what kind of spirit is their barrel
made to hold? They speculate in stocks, and bore holes in mountains,
but they are not competent to lay out even a decent highway. The
only free road, the Underground Railroad, is owned and managed
by the Vigilant Committee. They have tunnelled under the whole
breadth of the land. Such a government is losing its power and
respectability as surely as water runs out of a leaky vessel, and
is held by one that can contain it.

I hear many condemn these men because they were so few. When were
the good and the brave ever in a majority? Would you have had him
wait till that time came?--till you and I came over to him? The
very fact that he had no rabble or troop of hirelings about him
would alone distinguish him from ordinary heroes. His company was