921.73 W589w.pdf - Mesa FamilySearch Library

Rev. £_muel IV/ziti,a_. 2 I
sistent with the old order of affairs in the moth-
er country. '_ The same seed which, planted in
the soil of England, produced, perhaps prema-
turely, a commonwealth, under the masterly influence
of Cromwell, was also sown broadcast
over the rough soil of these colonies. Here it
slowly germinated, grew up, and blossomed in
clusters of independent communities, which, by
the law of natural affinity, united at last to form
a magnificent republic. So much had been
gained, at that early date, by the English peo-
ple in their struggle against royal prerogative,
tliat several noble and aristocratic personages
in England, during the first half of the seven-
teenth century, favored the idea of administer-
ing ecclesiastical government in the true spirit
of American democracy. Wherever they hon-
estly maintained the people's rights, they were
sure to secure the people's respect. Great
deference was shown to them- by the colonists,
who took care to make generally known their
connection with English families. Of those
who came over to this country in its infancy,
I Bancroft's Hist. U. S. 384.