believes the theory proclaimed is not simply a rhetorical
flourish, nor meaningless, but that it means just what it says;
that it is true, and being true, is susceptible of an application
as broad as the truth proclaimed.

All humankind, says the theory, are endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienable rights. Other governments proclaim the divine
right of kings, and assume that man is the mere creature of the
government, deriving all his rights from its concessions, and
forever subject to all its impositions, while this government (or
at least its theory) elevates all men to an equality with kings,
brings every man face to face with the author of his being and
the arbiter of his destiny, deriving his rights from that source
alone; and makes government his creature instead of his master,
instituted by him solely for the better protection and
application of his God given rights. It is important to keep in
mind this theory of our government and its difference with the
theories of all other governments. Endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienable rights, it says, because those rights are
necessary to correct relations between each individual of
humanity and his Creator. Herein is the whole merit of the
American theory of government, and of its practice too, so far as
that practice has gone. It is a grand theory, opening as it does
to every human being the boundless plains of progress which
stretch out to the foot of the eternal throne, and implying as it
does such noble powers in humanity, and such noble conditions and
uses for those powers. Its effect upon those who have enjoyed the
benefit of its application has been in harmony with its own
exalted character. Though but a day old, as it were, in the
history of nations, the United States, in a great many respects,
outstrip all other nations of the earth, and are inferior in few
or no particulars to any. The mass of her people are conceded to
be the most intelligent people of the world, and manifest,
individually and collectively, the fruits of superior
intelligence. It will not be denied that our theory of
government, viewing as it does every man as a sovereign, opening
up to every man all the distinctions, all the honors, and all
the wealth which man is capable of desiring, app