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


has delighted to do Justice to BOTH
Though the laurels of Mars are brilliant,
and will never fade; yet Neptune, with
his trident, claims equal or superior
emlnence. In vain shall we search the
records of ancient times, for superior
deeds and achievements, to what our
times have furnished, The Grecian
phalanXes, and the Roman legions were
brave, butneyer exceeded the heroes of
our times. But though our days have
furnished the most renowned and heroic
actions, yet we would fondly hope, that
tor ages to come we shall repose in
peace. But Go not say that Gormer days
are more glorious than these, for surely
thou dost not Judge rightly concerning
this matter.
| The present time may, on the whole,
be considered prosperous and happy !;
at peace with all the world government
at full liberty TO turn its attention to all
the means of improvement, and to adj
vance the welfare of the nation, within
the limits of its powers. The subject of
internal improvement, has engaged
| much Of the attention of government,
and most justly SO, from its importance.
The vast advantage of cheap and easy
communication between the different
parts Of a country, living under the same
government, can scarcely be estimated.
The most immediate is, that each part
feels an interest in the welfare and pros
perity of the other parts; and its obvious
tendency is to bind the whole together,
in the indissoluble bonds of interest and
friendship.
One great cause of felicity at the pre-
sent time, is the descrvedly great popu-
larity of the present administrations
Never before, since the government
went into operation, did the different
branches OF it harmonic in so great
degree; and never before did the people
at large bestow such unbounded and I'M
limited confidence. Perhaps at no for
mer period has there been employed iii
tie administration OF our national affairs
so great mass of talent and ability. A
constellation Of the greatest gcniuscs,
they would do honor to any age, or any
country. Surely we cannot say, " there
is none so low as to do them reverence"
but reversing SO sad picture of human
things, we can say with truth, there is
none so high or SO exalted as burst insult
them. In every department we car trace
the hand Of a master spirit, end the most
exalted traits OF human cXcclience.-
Our affairs ably managed and conducted
at bone, and our growing and increasing
empire making rapid strides in improve
ment, wealth, and greatness. Perhaps
our diplomatic affairs were never before
so ably conducted, and never were our
foreign relations on SO good footing
In the family Of nations, the greatest and
most powerful claim kindred and alliance
with us. Even our old stubborn enemy
has rclented, and yielded to us rights and
advantages, which for ages she declared
she never would yield---thercby laying
the foundation Of durable and lasting
peace. Indeed, with any thing else but
kins, that was crazy, and parliament
that W as mad or insane, it would be d.
licult &c find reason FOR any other course
of policy between us and England, than
what was founded in friendship and cor
diality. Our statesmen and politicians,
for q long time, urged with great force
of argument the laws and usages of ma
tons. But national law could never
fairly bring the British to their senses
though an exposition of the principles Of
cannon law did, in the greatest perfec-
ton. Old England at the present time
seems to be friendly, and in all respects
disposed to doright by US. But it would
have been much more tneritorious TO
have done justice in the first place, and
not have waited to be convinced that she
could neither fight us nor cheat us out
Of our rights. But let us forego ancient
animosities, and treat them as enemies
in war; i'll peace, friends"
Our domestic relations arc in all re-
spccts gratifying, and entirely as salts
factory as could be desired, and nc cause
of discord among the different states,
excepting difference of opinion upon
the subject OF slavery. Among a nation
Of republicans, this would indeed seem
to be a foul blot upon their characters.
The contest al the present moment seems
to be, whether the evil shall be limited
and confined to its present bounds or
ditiused, and made more extensive. AL
of us admit it to be wrong, and pro-
nounce it an evil and curse; and unite
in wishing that no such thing existed in
the nation. But here we reach the point
where our ways divide. I'VE no longer
travel hand in hand together. a part of
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