slaving conservatism, and class distinction; and on the other
we welcoine the light of universal education, liberalism, and
social equality. But education is not only fundamental in
itself, but it has been the direct cause of a third element
which is found in our own country to a greater extent than
in any other—l mean the principle of toleration in ,religion.
It has been said that "religious toleration is the best
fruit of the last four centuries." We can hardly realize its
blessing 4 to mankind until we search the pages of history to
see what suffering the race has endured. When we read
that some of the best blood of our ancestors has been sacri
ficed upon the altar of martyrdom, when we learn how gover
ments have been rent in twain by religious controversies, we
can only fall back and' thank our God and the framers of
our constitution , that we enjoy' this privilege. It means
more than it presents on the surface. Nothing can create a
Spirit of unrest and antagonism more readily than to inter
fere with the consciences of a people. Religious beliefs, from
their very nature, rest upon the heart of the individual, and
when that is wounded through persecution,the very vitals of
a nation are attacked. Through the right of free. worship
the nation has reached a higher conception of the principles
of Christianit , v-L-we have learned that God is' love, and that
lie is not, as was believed in earlier times, chiefly a punisher
of the unjust. '
And on a parallel with freedom of religion is the asser
tion of public opinion as a means of 'keeping . the social
equilibrium. It cannot be overestimated, and to the press, its
exponent, time nation is almost as much indebted as to the
influence of'the pulpit. When a new doctrine springs up,
when a ilex principle concerning the public weal is evolved,
or some delicate problem in international diplomacy appears,
the press collies forth hearlding the sentiments of the people
and bearing the shield of the nation's judgment. In other
countries, no such institution as this has ever existed