Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-03-09
From Bells Messenger of Dec. %.


From Bells Messenger of Dec. 2s.
AMERICAN PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
The Speech of the American Presi-
dent is always considered, in this coun-
try, as secondary in importance only to
the Kings Speech upon the opening OF
parIiament-America being the only state
which can at all compete with us in COM
mercial enterprise aud naval strength,
she is naturally looked upon with an eye
of constant vigilance and jealousy. Her
political and national movements are con-
sidered with earnest attention, and they
excite in us an interest correspondent
with their magnitude and importance.
America is, in truth, country, whose
increasing power, civilization, active and
independent spirit, mot exempt perhaps
from some tincture of ambition,) are
bringing her daily into nearer contact
with the European commonwealth OF
states. She is, however, to be consid-
cred in another sense, in which her char
acter becomes more magnificent and au-
gust. She is the fountain from which the
waters of civilization flow through an
immense portion of the habitable world.
She is daily enIarging the sphere of law,
Justice and religion, and introducing,
hand 10 hand with them, the comforts OF
civil society, and the consultations OF re-
Iigion. She is, in truth, missionary
on the grandest scale. She is fulfilling
the great purpose of Providence, 10
bringing the world by degrees, (that por-
ton OF it at least which has been neg
lected by others,) into order and law.
Immense tribes OF Indians are constantly
eugraited upon her comprehensive stock,
and imbued with those principles of gov
ernment and law, the knowledge and love
of which, when once communicated to
men, are never forgotten or extinguished.
The annals of mankind, we believe, do
not afford an example Of people, once
recovered from barbarism, relapsing into
the savage state. India and China are
instances of the contrary: they have been
the same for multitude Of ages.
If such be the state of America, and
such her relations, not only to US, but TO
the whole world, her national character,
and her prosperity, are matters not only
of Importance, but of affectionate consid-
Grafton for Europeans; and as such, we
have always been accustomed to regard
them. National jealousy, and the subor-
dinate objects of commercial rivalry, be-
come lost under such considerations and
we look upon her INCREASING and -four
ishing condition as a boon to the whole
world, aud as pure and unmixed good
to the human race.
With respect to the present speech OF
the President, it certainly does not afford
many topics for novelty. 1t intimates
that the commercial arrangements be-
tween America and England are likely to
be concluded upon scale OF great ex-
tent, and principles Of mutual liberality.
We do not regard this, however, as an
advantage to either country; for COM
mercial treaties are sure to be iniringed.
and then national quarrels are the conse-
quence. Whereas, if commerce be left
entirely to itself, it will very well con
suit and guard its own interests.
The dispute with Spain is alluded to-
and the present condition Of the Floridas
is critically examined. 1t certainly ap-
pears, that the President expected that
the Spanish government would have
ceded tie Floridas to the United States ;
Spain not being in condition to satisfy
the demands of the United States upon
her treasury, and being yet less able to
keep the frontier provinces in due subor-
dination. 1t is not to be questioned, thai
Spain would gladly sell the Floridas to
America: and America would gladly buy
them but she wants to take them 10 sat
isfaction of bye-gone claims, whilst SPaiq
is DESTROYS of new contract, and OF
better bargain.
With respect to the execution Of tlIe
two British subjects, Arbuthnot avg
Ambrister, the speech observes as ICY