Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-11-28

The United States have government
of their own choice, framed by their own
hands, and 81 years successful expert
ment, has taught us the wisdom and ex-
cellence of Its salutary PROVISIONS
Strictly speaking, ours is the only re-
publican form of government on the
face of the globe. France and Holland
are no longer such; Switzerland has but
the name; and the Hanseadc confede-
ration has long since been dissolved
Our constitution forms the grand palla
dunn of our civil and religious liberties,
and enables us to bid defiance TO tyran-
ny and oppression. We are free from
the iron chain of Lycurgus, and uncon-
troled by the bloody code of Draco.
No mitred pontiF here lords 1t over
Gods heritage, nor can he issue forth
against his people the laundering ana
thema of accommodation, because they
dare to question his infallibility. No
royal idiot or hereditary lord can he.., ,
mount a throne, or fill the presidential
chair. No titled nobility may here con-
sumo, in rioutous luxury, the avails OF
our honest and hard earned industry
Here no torturing rack or horrid inquisi-
ton reigns. Instead of being crushed
beneath the car of Juggernaut, we may
safely recline under the suspicious ban
ners of the Prince of Peace. Here the
press, that handmade of science ana
guardian of liberty, is patronised with a
fostering hand.
But, perhaps, the blessings we enjoy
can more readily be appreciated by con-
trasting our LOT with the condition of cur
fellow mortals, who inhabit other re-
gions. five take view of human So
ciety III the eastern world, we shall fine
some parts stationary, more on the de-
cline, and some nearly eXtinct.--Car-
thage, Tyre, Athens, Ninevah and Baby
Ion, like the years before the food, are
forever gone and buried in oblivion Oh
some of those, the name barely survives,
Others exhibit Wondering ruins of pris-
tine grandeur. Jerusalem, once the
grand emporium of Palestine, where
formerly stood the magnificent Jewish
temple, the birth place OF both the Jew
ish and Christian religion, the grand
theatre whereon many of the glorious
works of our Divine Redeemer were
displayed, is now reduced to a poor,
small, contemplate town or village
The whole continent of Asia, except
those few parts inhabited by cmigrants
from Europe, is yelled in pagan darkness
and superstition.
II from this gloomy prospect, We turn
our eyes on Europe, we shall for the
most part, behold mass Of misery, a
picture of Indebtedness In Russia, we
may discover Moscow, Bordine, Smo-
lensko, and other fine towns, laid in
ruins while the remains of countless
human victims serve to whiten the Rus
sian plains. Poland is dismembered,
and as kingdom annihilated. Holland
and Germany are heavily Flooding along
the old track of passive obedience
France, counter revolutionized, has sur
rendered her freedom, and tamely sub
mits TO servile vassalage. Great Bri
tain is toIing and sweating to heal the
wounds and repair the honors Of dissi-
pated royalty, by divorcing their legiti-
mate queen. Spain is temporizing with
her imbecile, pusillanimous monarch,
and holding out specious allurements
with view of retaining her rebellious
South American colonies. Italy, though
some CLEANS OIL light appear is still dane
ing to the tune of non-resistance and
passive obedience.
If we cast our eyes on Africa, we shall
behold boundless wastes OF barren sands,
and vast regions aifording scanty sup
port to wretched population, and all
plunged in the lowest abyss of misery
and degradation.
But, quitting these gloomy and dis
NAL prospects, let US consider the coun-
ter part, as exhibited in our beloved
country. Here all is life and animation,
all is fair and Aourishing. L we glance
our eye from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
and from Maine to Missouri, we shall
every where discover large towns, beau
tiful villages, opulent cities and power
full states, constantly rising into existence.
Here, in literal sense, the wilderness
buds and blossoms as the rose"
The principles of our government too
are highly favorable to the display of
genius and enterprise. Hence Ameri-
ca has produced some of the most illus
trious characters. The name of Wash
ington, both in the field and in the cab
- o,,on bo, ard ,J,,,htlnpc ayar x,,;l