practical exemplification of our duties in regard to this most important institution.

31. It follows very clearly, it is believed, from the above premises, that society, to secure what is imperatively demanded for its highest wellbeing, must, as far as practicable, consistent with the rights of individuals, direct its powers to the multiplication of the number of comfortable and happy homes.

32. The conclusion is, also, irresistible, that this great object can only be surely effected by placing the civil government of the country under the direction and control of those whose interests are directly and most deeply involved, and whose efforts will therefore be the most reliable and effective towards its accomplishment, namely, by giving that control mainly or wholly to the heads of families.

33. The Creator in the relation of parent and child, has obviously placed the governing power with the former, and in

the relation of husband and wife, has given it to the husband. That this power may

be justly and humanely exercised, he has implanted in the mind and heart of man a sense of justice, and of benevolence, a love of offspring, and the love of the sexes. These truths are so palpable that it is only necessary to state them to command for them a general assent. They are not only obvious to our reason and understanding, but they are fully confirmed, and in the most explicit language in the divine record.

34. It follows from these premises that the male heads of families are, by natural law and the revealed will of God, the proper governing power in society, and that the state or body politic is properly, not an union of individuals, but of a number of families, united and acting together for their mutual good. Families thus united require rules for the management of their joint affairs, and to regulate their relations to each other, and they require,

also, agents to give practical effect to the rules thus established. In the formation of these rules and in the appointment of their agents each family is properly represented by its governing head.

35. To those who may be inclined to dissent from these views we would respectfully address the following queries:

Where can the power in question be more safely and properly lodged for the best good of all concerned? Where for the true interests and welfare of the female portion of the population, who comprise full one-half of the entire population in all countries, and of that portion of the male sex who constitute one-fourth of the whole still under parental guidance? and who so competent to determine when the latter shall have attained the proper age for leaving that guidance, and assuming the responsibility of self-support, and the ownership and control of property? Where among those who possess the phys

ical power essential to the support and maintenance of government, and whose social or domestic duties do not interfere with its exercise, can the franchise be more properly placed? and where, for the best good of society, can the power, which shall determine who, among those who are otherwise qualified, are morally or intellectually fit or unfit to exercise the powers and privileges of electors, be more safely placed?

36. There can be but one answer to these questions. If the females and children and others named could give such a response to them as their best judgments and feelings would dictate, they would reply with one voice, the heads of families.

37. Here, perhaps, it may be well to show, from authentic data, how very large a space in the social economy of the world. is filled by the family interest. Government returns in our own country furnish us with the fact, that the population of the country, in its natural or normal con

dition, is composed of children or minors

Under 21 years about

53 per cent.

Male heads of families about 16

Wives and female depend

ents in families of adult age about

66

21

66

Male dependents in families of adult age say

38. More than nine-tenths, therefore, of the entire population are under paternal or family rule and protection, relying almost solely upon the heads of families for support. Of the remainder, after deducting persons not naturalized, females, &c., not more than five to six per cent are qualified electors under the most liberal system of suffrage adopted in the free states. These latter have no family responsibili ties, are mostly without fixed habitations, and have very little property interest to bind them to the maintenance of right and stable government.