Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-07-24

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offence to British pride and nsolence-
and instead of removing the burthens OF
the Americans, they forthwith dispatch
ed large bodies of armed men, to carry
their plans and schemes into complete
effect. The storm seemed to be des-
tined to fall first upon the ancient colony
of Massachusetts,, and they prepared
with diligence to meet it. A Hancock,
and the two Adams, laid before their
countrymen the state of things-and
they preached to them the immortal
principles of freedom. They urged
them to grid on their armor, and to fight
inanfully in defence of their rights and
their liberties. Then were seen the
old and the young, the high and the low,
people Of all classes and conditions,
Hooking to the standard oftheir country.
Even the village preacher was seen in
the ranks, animating his countrymen,
and assuring them that the rewards Of
Heaven, unquestionably awaited those
that should fall in so just and glorious a
cause, The enemy looked on them
without fear, supposing that men drawn
from the ordinary occupations oflife, and
unaccustomed and inexperienced in the
work ofhuman slaughter, might be easi-
ly vanquished. But to their sad mis-
take, they soon found that men resolved
on victory, or death, were not to be con-
quered. They were compelled to re-
treat, leaving the earth strewed with
heaps of fallen countrymen. This Sc
we're check at the outset taught the enc
my what men can do, when suffering
under sense of injustice, and resolving
at the same time to be free. The friends
of. freedom then undertook to combine
their efforts, and to raise troops in al
parts Of the union; and placed at their
head the man upon whom all eyes were
turned, the immortal WASHINGTON.
He instantly obeyed the summons Of his
country, and set out for head quarters in
the vicinity of Boston. He seemed to be
the instrument destined by Heaven to
accomplish the great work of establish
ing the liberty and independence Of his
country. He engaged heart and hand
in the contest, and though sometimes
defeated, yet by his matchless skill,
prudence, and perseverance, he was at
last able to close the contest, with singu-
lar honor to himself, and to the entire
satisfaction of his countrymen.
When the revolutionary war was
ended, the country was in great mea-
sure exhausted; an immense debt, the
price of liberty and the cost Of indie
pendence, was unprovided for; the
treasury was empty, and no means at
hand to replenish it, The revolutionary
soldier, unpaid for his meritorious SER
vices, was ready to ascribe his situation
to the ingratjtude of his country, The
form ofour government was very incom-
plete; neither fitted for peace nor war.
Foreign nations refused to negotiate with
us, declaring that ours was govern
ment only in name, but without the re-
quisite and the necessary powers. The
discernment of Washington saw the
situation of his country, and he exerted
all bis influence to form an efficient ma
tional government. The good sense of
his countrymen united with him; and
they selected individuals Of the first
talents and responsibility, and employed
them in the important work and at the
head of whom the father of his country
was placed Their joint labors and ex
ertions produced our excellent and glo-
rious national constitution. This con-
stitution, without doubt, combines more
advantages, and contains in itself more
genuine principles of real liberty, than
any form of government that has ever
existed, either ancient or modern. One
great excellence contained in it, is, that
it takes from the head of the government,
the power to declare war, and commits
it to the Representatives of the people /;
for the obvious reason, that the people
pay the expenses, as well as experience
the calamities of war. This is an ample
safeguard against those foolish and UNI
necessary wars that have Tor SO many
centuries afflicted almost every nation
upon the globe. 1t is, in almost every
feature, severe rebuke upon despots,
who consider the people made only for
the pomp, splendor, and pageantry OF a
throne ;--and that government is not
founded and established for the welfare
of the people. Another great advantage
this constitution secures to US III the
most ample manner st goes on to say,
[" that no religious test shall ever be re-
quired" -Thus cutting UP by the roots
that great source of human misery,
which has scourged and afflicted man
kind for SO many ages. 1t also says that
" congress shall pass no law concerning
IL. L,