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THE JUBILEE.

legal occurrence was every fiftieth year. Its great sig e arose from the fact that on that year, not only were s discharged, as on the seventh, but all slaves were libera all mortgaged lands, as previously noticed, reverted to ession of former owners or their heirs. Thus, monopol ership and power, destitution and degradation were fored Laborers, for years in the employ of others, became ers of the lands they cultivated, possessors of homestea erto controlled by and worked for the benefit of a q lity.

y such means, agriculture became a pleasant and profita uit, and the principal employment of the people. It enl he first, the highest and best men of the Old Testament . Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Amos and others of n loved husbandry." No other department of labor received ng legal stimulants, none was so attractive to the wise, the co rate and the good, and none was so conducive to the gene are. In this we make no exception, not even to commer ght by some, worthier of legislation,-an opinion, unsu ed by considerations of profit, morality or patriotism, si ty of manners or domestic happiness. Thus, and by oth means, social relations were provided for, life render ed, industry encouraged as well as demanded, idleness ma me, and labor and love of country pronounced sterling virtue

FESTIVALS.

hey were held three times in every year, calling togethe

bility there was a class on which the choice for magistrate frequently fell. The Levites, the smallest of the tribes, ble of holding landed property save house-lot and garden, ar tered through all the other tribes, were specially devoted study of the law. These constituted a class of candidat church and state. From it the majority of officers were ed, and also because of their superior qualifications, the so teachers, politicians, judges, and priests of the nation enga its service. They were proscribed in regard to property, no claim upon the other tribes save one-tenth of the i of the herds and flocks, and of this they were obliged t tribute one-tenth to those of their number selected as prie the altar service. Neither the wool, products of the dai land, paid the Levites any tribute.

SUFFRAGE.

This was universal, with exceptions corresponding with of eligibility. Suffrage is predicated on equality and elig and follows of necessity. That such was the fact is evider the manner of choosing the judges. The masses were r to exercise the franchise and did, both then and afterw accepting God as king and the decalogue as the stand conduct. The same was true in accepting Moses as lead after him, Joshua, and also men to spy out the country vide it into lots. The franchise elevated Jephthah, ratif selection of Saul and David as kings of Israel after their ing by the prophet. The same truth appears in the rati of" the commandments and statutes of the Lord" on the moun Israel every seven years.

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.

That such was the character of the Hebrew state, may appear from the foregoing, and especially from all those passages tha refer to the franchise, for this is associated with representation The calling together of "the elders of Israel," "their heads, officers judges, rulers, chiefs, princes, famous men in the community, thos wont to be called the convention," and the use of similar terms, are inexplicable only as representation is admitted.

The object of choosing men to certain positions is that they may act for others, and here is representation; we see it in Hebrew history, in Moses, Joshua, and in the use of the foregoing terms designating representative bodies. The whole establishment was, from the nature of the case, of this character. The state itself, prefigured a principle to be developed by others in the future. The sacrificial system was prophetic, typifying and foreshadowing, and thus, like the more secular, was representative. Persons constituting a "convention" or "assembly," are addressed as a representative class, as acting for others, doing their business, and to them are amenable. It is the same with "the princes of tribes," a somewhat higher grade.

REPUBLIC.

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The constitution gave the state this character. The consolidation of the tribes, their unity, equality, eligibility, suffrage and representation, all contributed to it. The reconstructed nation, with its united head of church and state, its fusion of twelve states into one, whose magistrates were creatures of law by the votes and sanctions of the people, was a republic, the first upon record, democratic and theocratic, approved of God and man.

CHANGE CONTEMPLATED.

In this, and providing for it, we see the foresight and wisdom of the great Lawgiver. As the people might tire of the republic and desire a monarchy, the overthrow of the former was more than possible. Hence, the provision made for that emergency, so that the king elect might be a constitutional ruler. However selected at first, or by whom anointed, the peoplemustact upon the se

lection, ratify or reject, accepting of no foreigner, no polygamist, miser, warrior, or any other than a patriot, a defender and patron of religion, lenient, wise, and from among some one of the tribes of Israel, infusing into the monarchy as much of popular liberty and elements of prosperity and happiness as possible.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT.

This has been implied or stated throughout the foregoing. It not only had existence, principles vital and active, but it had form, locality, proportions, departments. It seems to have had three grand divisions; the first, the oracle of God, usually either the cloud or high priest, constituting one of a two-fold nature, the divine and human; the second, the administrative, including the various grades of magistrates, the judiciary and all executive functionaries, a division quite comprehensive and susceptible of subdivisions; the third, the advisory, acting the part of cabinet or council, consisting of a body of senators, of which we shall speak hereafter.

LEGISLATURE.

This appears to have been composed of two branches, the lower and higher, the former more popular and allied to the people. It is called "the assembly, the congregation, the convention, heads of houses, heads of families," and relative terms. This is the house of commons, the larger and next to the people. The higher is more select, honorable, venerated, composed of "elders, princes of tribes, captains of tribes," more experienced, less popular, more remote from the people, answering to our Senate or the British house of lords. The "assembly" is composed of an indefinite number, the Senate, the "Sanhedrim," was limited to seventy. The latter was a great national council, legislative and advisory, containing the best talent, the ripest experience and wisdom of the nation; it was a sage body, permanent and supreme in its functions, often called to check the rashness of the lower branch, to hold the balance of power and guide the ship of state. It seems to have subserved a two-fold purpose and was inaugurated with corresponding solemnity. It wielded heavy blows against rebellion, overawed to prevent sedi

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OBJECT OF LEGISLATION.

was to secure the public welfare, to meet and provide emands of the people, for the oft recurring emergencie er inviolate the interests and constitution of the Hel le.

POWERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

ncurring with the oracle always present, these powers w y sufficient to enact, modify or repeal laws, amend the C ion, establish national policy, declare war, make pea alliances, foreign relations and treaties, officer the arr col the judiciary, and perform other functions, subject to n of the people. Hence, the great variety and number enactments, civil and religious. The first related to n, which was followed by one regulating servitude—not shing it. Succeeding that, was one to elevate females, a ner setting forth the sacredness of life and the relations nts and children. Others having reference to marriage an rce,sanitary regulations,vintage and husbandry, appointmer ourts, the years of release, fines and penalties for ever Ees of crime, and other matters too numerous to mention within the powers of the legislature.

WHEN AND HOW CONVENED.

ormerly, at intervals, as circumstances demanded; afterwards, ated times, but always at the call or by sanction of the chief strate or the authority of legal statute. In case of vacan

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