Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-09-08
From Niles Weekly Register.
BRIEF SEPTENNIAL RETRO.
SpECT.

J
uncommon events. Their history will fill
many ponderons volumes to astonish and
Instruct posteriiy-
The firm march of the great republic
of North america TO first rank among
nations, has excited the admiration and
received the applause Of the liberal aud
enlightened world. During the period
just above stated. lis population has in-
creased a tliild, and lis general wealth
ard resources been doubled. Immense
tracts of rich lands have been wrested
from the wilderness; and so rapidly, that
the pioughshare may be said 10 have eff
faced the traces of the foot steps of the
deer; and the busy village, Tie seat OF
thrifty commerce, enliyens the spot where
but as yesterday the sulIen bear dozed
away half his existence. Three new stars
have been added TO the constellation, en-
|larging the circle emblematic of duration,
and other districts of country are Starting
into sovefeignties, teem;ng with freemen.
Bountiiul nature opens her lap to honest
industry rugged Independence cheers the
hand Of labor-competency is the general
lot Of the prudent aud persevering, and .
heavenly quiet blesses the land. Art is
summoned TO the aid of nature, aud i'm
provement is every where extending
canals, roads, bridges, and the beds Of
streams, occupy large share Of the pub
lie attention. Unconquered steam" has
stretched forth its mighty arm, and almost
joined Pittsburg to New-Orleans, seem
ins!y threatening slse TO carry the great
city of New York into regions OF the west
yet untrodden by civilized man. The
happy influence of free government be-
gins to be felt aud duly appreciated-it
is hailowed by the blood of patriotism, and
no one profanely touches its ark! 1t ac-
quires po,uer every day by the force Of
its benefits; and reason yields that ODE
dience to the law, which in most other
countries, is only paid to the s,uord. The
sublime probleH', SO long held doubtful
by political casuists, is completely solved
man is best able to govern himself, and
that of free republic is the strongest
system yet devised for social compact
amongst men. How glorious it rs that a
people should be governed by their own
understandings of what is right, rather
than by the fear OF punishment for offences
committed! This is the grand principle
of OMNIPoTENcE-HE governs in love,
and has His seat iii the heart ;--the good
yield obedience as a pleasing duty instead,
of because He has the power TO punish.
Herein is the great distinction between a
republican add monarchicaI administra-
ton: under the first, every rejecting citi-
zen supports the law, as his own concern;
10 the other, being in state of natural
war with the governing power, it is his
interest to evade the law, in many cases,
SO far forth as he can in safety to his per-
son aud property, and he yields respect
to it only of necessity. 1t is impossible
that there can be community of interests
without reciprocity-and reciprocity can
not exist between parties if either is ire
sponsible to the other.
This happy estate is ably sustained by
a growing NATIONAL CHARACTER, which,
supported by the national strength, indi-
Gates the high destinies of the republic.
The late war with Great Britain most
eminentIy contributed to this; and it would
now seem as il we we're prepared to act
up to the old Scotch motto-nenao me
taceSsit in,pune; yet willing to make a
6 child's bargain with every one let
me alone, and III let you alone" This
is as it should be-and We hope that the
principle of it will be for ever adhered to-
The resistance of wrong, ia the present
state of the world groaning under kings
and state priests, is the preventive of
wrong: the age Of impressment mas and
cd at the cGnnon's mouth, and it is the
fesotce Of the republic that that disgrace
tut and snhaman age shall not retura !
An opposition to it is the Preside idea Of
every American-it has become eugrafted
with those principles he esteems selfevi-
IDENTITY right, and the stealth of one man
will light up flame to consume the vii
famous aggression. Yet a little while,
and force win be raised to avenge such
acts as justice and mercy may plead for
IN vain; and a prepared state for the for
mer will surely give effect to the latter.
Power is the argument Of kings, and must
he answered by power, when reason fails.
Another se0en years win give US that
power; we do not fear it for ourselves,
because the baiiofsbor is unpoiluted.
Small pieces Of paper effect reformations
that the bayonet would fail to accomplish,