I am not one of those who believe that the voice of the people
is, without exception, the voice of God. It was not so at the
Deluge, but quite the reverse. It was not so when Israel
clamored for a king—not in mercy but in anger, God gave them
their request. It was not so when Absalom stole the hearts of
the people, and stirred up rebellion against his father. And
yet, when a nation, independent of party, free from the
excitements of momentary interest, without the influence of
ambitious leaders, under the calm guidance of reason, history,
and the spirit of the age,—rises spontaneously against
oppression, against iniquity, and demands just laws; rights for
all; free thought, free speech, free labor, free worship; when
compacts are not violated; when moderation is maintained; when
the spirit of humanity is preserved,—then, I believe, “the voice
of the people is the voice of God.” I have no question that, in
the great principle, Cromwell and his puritan hosts were right
in their revolutionary action. I could nev