Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-09-26

| cumStance nfSt taught me the agrCul-
tural consequence of rain, at the precise
instant of formation, to the fruits of the
tieid.--So with the richness of mental
harvest; a nations future abundance de-
ponds upon the we'll timed influence of
wisdom, operating like "genial dew and
fruitful Showers" at the critical moment
on which, the most important future con-
sequences may depend.
Whilst Virginia retains its name, may
AoShitahty never cease to be It's motto.
When lately enjoying that hospitality at
Williamsburg, collection OF maps COM
manded my attention with an interest so
lively that shall not soon be likely to
forget the cause, or the effect, for | was
looking at the map of NORTH CoLuM-
BIA, from the Atlantic to the Pacific
ocean. Under an introversion OF mind
arising from this view of the nation, ! in
voluntary contrasted the first settlement
at JamestoqvA and Plymouth, with the
present States and their ramilications
Contemplating the increasing spread OF
the population of the United States, ]
was ready TO eXclaim =" here is an ample
footing fer another yAtiaS, not merely to
stand, but to traUei from one immense
ocean TO another with the world and its
interests on his shoulders What an un-
paralleled national capacity for extension
and power With a destiny so grand,
how momentous the importance of form
ing the national character, while YET
plastic, to Its eminent prospect and future
grandeur
When crossing the Atlantic, involun-
tary admiration often burst forth at the
power and goodness of the gracious
Creator, in forming the great deep and
supporting the innumerable millions of
its inhabitants; for mercies surrounded
US above, beneath, and on every side !!
We met MANY vessels steering different
ways, and often distinguished or spoke to
those bearing the flag of independence.
We naturally associated the colors of a
SOVEREIGN PEOPLE with the memory of
those intrepid men who first reared that
standard, and said to the present and flu
ture age, "BE FREE" Thus, whether
l contemplate the extent which your
vessels traverse at sea, or whether | ex-
anime the march ofyour population, and
future extent of domain, feel like man
astonIshed, for the first time, with
prospect-subline enough to leave at
a distance, the solemn effect under which
the mind succumbs, on first sight of
the Allegheny mountains, or the rushing
cataracts Of Niagara! May those mea-
sures be taken liz this early day, which
shall build up the energies of a nation,
travelling on, In the greatness of her
strength, from the sea to the RIvERs,*
from the rivers to the ends of the earth
Only fifty years past, and thai man
possessed a daring mind who had intel
lect to foresee, or intrepldity to speak Of
an independence which is VOW the boast
of every heart, and the theme Of every
tongue Above one hundred years prior
to the revolution, certain principles, sa-
cred to liberty, had taken root among
you. In many respects the colonies had
local and divided interests, but these
principles afforded natural subject OF
common ground offeeling.
a stroke was inflicted at one end of the
colonies, and the shock vibrated to the
other. 1t passed through the hearts off
multitudes to the remotcst point, as by al
common conductor Of unison in kindred
nature. The growth of the principles
of liberty had been that Of Seeding,
slow but sure; their maturity was that
of an oak, the strength ofwhich was ulti-
mately tried in competition with " Bri-
tannia's idol tree" Common feelings
and interest constitute the basis OF a
national character, and it was in the era
die OF these that your independence was
nurtured, and by these your maturity
will be perfected. Thus was produced
that awful conflict, which fixed every eye
in Europe with anxiety on the interesting
scene of action--on the event of contest
which, during its progress clothed many
serious minds Of each country in deep
but when an everything pow
er brought forth your liberties with the
sweet influence Of the " Pleiades, of
ORloN, of Arcturns and his sons" the
rising consultations excited the admira-
ton and called forth the gratitude Of all
who admire the beauties of Heaven, and
adore the power who maketh "the
clouds his chariot" controls the storm,
and saith to the waves ofthe sea "pEAcE,
BE STILL" The records of time scarce
ly present an instance of the energies of
a total revolution ofpower, subsiding in
to quiet with so much rapidly; but our
,unnder is lessened when we consider The