In harmony with the promise of Nature is the promise of our fathers, recorded in the Declaration of Independence, to which the Republic has succeeded also. It is the twofold promise, first, that all are equal in rights, and, secondly, that just government stands only on the consent of the governed,--being the two great political commandments on which hang all laws and constitutions. Keep these truly, and you will keep all. Write them in your statutes; write them in your hearts. _This is the great and only final settlement of all existing questions._ Under its kindly influence the past Rebellion will disappear, alike in its principles and its passions; future Rebellion will be impossible; and there will be a peace never to be disturbed. To this sublime consecration of the Republic let me aspire. With nothing less can I be content. FOOTNOTES [1] _Ante_, Vol. I. pp. 314, 315. [2] Sermo CCXCIX. § 6: Opera, ed. Benedict., (Paris, 1836-39,) Tom. V. col. 1785. [3] History of the World, Book V. ch. I: Works, (Oxford, 1829,) Vol. VI. p. 4. [4] Of Reformation touching Church Discipline in England, Book II.: Works, (London, 1851,) Vol. III. p. 55. [5] Essay upon the Original and Nature of Government: Miscellanea, Part I.: Works, (London, 1720,) Vol. I. p. 100. [6] “La totalité des personnes nées ou naturalisées dans un pays, et vivant sous un même gouvernement.” [7] Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, ed. Milman, (London, 1846,) Ch. II. Vol. I. p. 37. [8] See his Essay, as amplified in the successive editions, variously entitled, “The National Polity is the Normal Type of Modern Government: A Fragment”; “Nationalism: A Fragment of Political Science”; and “Fragments of Political Science on Nationalism and Inter-Nationalism”: the first two without date,--the last, New York, 1868. [9] Menenius Agrippa. Livii Hist. Lib. II. c. 32. [10] Journal of the House of Representatives, p. 133, October 24, 1765. Hutchinson’s History of Massachusetts, Vol. III. p. 472. [11] Hazard’s Historical Collections, Vol. II. p. 2. Palfrey’s History of New England, Vol. I. p. 624. [12] Winthrop, History of New England, ed. Savage, Vol. II. p. 100. [13] Ibid., p. 160. [14] Plan of Union: Franklin’s Works, ed. Sparks, Vol. III. pp. 36, seqq. [15] Bancroft, History of the United States, Vol. IV. p. 126. [16] Franklin to Governor Shirley, December 22, 1754: London Chronicle, Feb. 6-8, 1766, Vol. XIX. p. 133; London Magazine, Feb. 1766, Vol. XXXV. p. 95. See also Franklin’s Works, ed. Sparks, Vol. III. p. 66. [17] Wells’s Life of Samuel Adams, Vol. II. pp. 90, 94. [18] Ibid., p. 94. [19] Journals of Congress, October 14, 1774, Vol. I. pp. 28, 29. [20] The Federalist, ed. J. C. Hamilton, Historical Notice, pp. xii, xiv, lix. [21] Wordsworth, The Excursion, Book IV. 138, 139. [22] Letter to Jefferson, November 12, 1813: Works, Vol. X. p. 79.