IV. Robertson wa.- descended from those sturdy pioneers who. after the war for independence. in which they had contributed without stint their blood and treasure. crossed over the mountains to found new American commonwealths in the trackless wilderness iniabited by cruel savages. They bore as their birthright the cherished principles of religious and constitutional freedom and an aptitude for organization. and a knowledge of affairs that enabled them to build up in tils western country commonwealths that quickly attracted immigration. and that soon became wellsettled communitiesrepublics modeled on the older States and members of the Federal Union on ai equal footing with them. They constituted a remarkable class of men. bold. honest. just. benevolent. sagacious. enterprising. familiar with the slate papers of that day. papers that set forth more fully and clearly than any. perhaps. had done before the true elements of popular liberty. the wise and necessary limitations upon the people as well as upon governments. the essential principles of our constitutional system wit h nil its divisions of powers. checks. and balances. They and their fathers had read the Declaration of Independence. and had resolved with the patriots of 1876 to make good its words with their lives. and they had listened with eager and enlightened interest to all the discussions in their ndighborhood during and after the war of the Revolution on popular government.
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immigration