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Show 104 LIDEHTY AND SLAVERY. Nor do we assett that there is no truth in this celebrated proposition or maxim; for we believe that, if rightly understood, it contains most important and precious truth. It is not on this account, however, the less dangerous as a maxim of political philosophy. Nay, falsehood is only then the more dangerous, when it is so blended with truth that its existence is not suspected by its victims. Hence the unspeakable impoltance of dissecting t~s pretended maxim, and separating the precious trutla. it contains from the pernicious falsehood by which its followers are deceived. Its truth is cettainly very far from being self-evident, or rather its truth is self-evident to some, while its falsehood is equally self-evident to others, according to the side from which it is viewed. We shall endeavor to throw some light botl1 upon its truth and its falsehood, aud, if possible, draw the line which divides them from each other. This maxim does not mean, then, that all men have, by nature, an equal right to political power or to posts of honor. No doubt the words are often understood in this sense by those who, without refiectidn, merely echo the Declaration of Independence; but, in this ARGUMENTS OF ABOLITIONISTS. 105 sense, iliey are utterly untenable. If all men had, by nature, an eqtml right to any of the offices of government, how could such rights be adjusted? IIow could such a conflict be reconciled? It is clear that all men could not be President of the United States; and if all men had an equal natmal right to that office, no one man could be elevated to it 'vithout ·a wrong to all the rest. In such case, all men should . have, at least, an equal chance to occupy the presidential chair. Such equal chance could not re~ult from the right of all men to offer themselves as candidates for the office; for, at the bar of public opinion, vast multitudes would not have the least shadow of a chance. The only way to efi"cct such an object would be by resolting to the lot. We might thus determine who, among so many equally just claimants, should actually possess the power of the supreme magistrate. 1'his, it must be confessed, would be to recognise in deed, as well as in word, the equal rights of all men. But what more absmd than such an equality of rights? It is not without example in history; but it is to be hoped tl1at such example will neve~ be copied. The democracy of Athens, it is well known, wall, at one time, so far car |