mere vague wish for a treasure or blessing does not put us in possession of it. A mere desire even for heaven itself brings no man to heaven: the desire serves but as the spur to action, and as the incitement to make use of the means by which fitness for heaven is attained. So, the general awakening of the nations to a sense of their rights, which we see now going on,—though the sign of a new and healthful life stirring within them,—yet is not sufficient alone to secure their rights, or to fit them for their enjoyment even if secured. It is one thing to desire a blessing, and quite another thing to be worthy of it.
The test of fitness for freedom is man's power of governing himself. For a free nation does not mean a nation without government at all: that would be a state of anarchy and confusion, in which might would make right, and the law of the strongest would prevail. A free people is one that governs itself, instead of being arbitrarily ruled by one or a few individuals: it is a people, that either immediately or by its representatives is able and willing to make proper regulations, and put itself under wholesome restraints, such as all men and ail societies of men need to be subjected to, in the present imperfect state of existence. A nation sufficiently enlightened and with sufficient self-command to do this, is fit to be free,—not otherwise. A people that is not able or not willing to govern itself, must have a master: precisely as a youth not yet come to years of discretion, or as an insane man who has lost his reason, or as a criminal who is not willing to restrain his evil inclinations,—must be put under restraint and under absolute government. Order in society and in the world must be observed at all hazards; because with-
