Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-05-11

a goodly heritage, and the lines have tai
len to us in pleasant places. Well may we
be prouder of our brightness, as heirs to the
freedom which our fathers conquered. than
ever as gartered baron or belted noble Of
his untainted ancestry for thousand years.
Every citizen of the United States has his
patent of nobility in the constitution of his
country patent. OF which no power can
deprive him, and which no attainder can
annul-a patent, which secures to him and
his posterity the best and dearest rights and
privileges. Rights and privileges, to which
Europe is now preparing to force her way
through oceans OF blood and over mountains
of dead carcases; for which the ignorant
and almost brutal Russian peasant signs
and yet signs in vain, which have kindled
the fame of patriotic feeling in the breast
If the German; which have stirred into
frenzy the ardent passions of the impetu-
Gus Italian; which have called forth the Ia
tent energies Of the high minded Spaniard;
which are viewed by the disappointed and
indignant Frenchman with restrained, but
still ardent and impassioned hopes; rights
and privileges, compared with which, even
EBglishmen cease to venerate their own
constitution; rights and privileges, in fine,
the influence of which at first was hardly
noticed, but which, like the evening mist
on the rivers bank, is now extending With
arapidity that knows neither limit nor con-
troll. These our fathers gave US fer our in-
heritance, and these are the objects, tor
whose attainment the nations Of Europe are
now preparingto engage in war &bloodshed.
What enquiry then can be so interesting
as the probable result OF the Austrian at
tack upon Naples. Already we have ex-
pressed ourselves not sanguine Of the sue
cessful resistance of the Neapolitans. We
still entertain the same iorebodings; but
are prepared to hail more fortunate result
with enthusiastic pleasure. Such an event
would be second to none that ever has or e.
yer W be recorded in history. 1t would
not be the first dawning and twilight of
the sun of liberty to nations cropping in
the regions Of political darkness; this twi
light has already been seen and its in6u-
ence felt; but ii would be the bright eful-
gence of his morning glory, dispelling the
mist OF ignorance and error 1t would be not
merely avowing and maintaining the theo.
ry of civil lib rty, but main aing and de
tending its practice by physical force, and
proving TO the world, that the rights of man
could be as ably maintained, BY men de-
termined to be free, as could be the 'td-
vine rights" of kings, by standing armies.
Nor would the result be materially diff
ferent should Naples fail in the struggle. -
True, it would evince. that well discipin-
ed armies, experienced and veteran SOL
ders, under brave, skilful and determined
commanders, were able TO conquer coun-
Try, defended by armies less numerous, less
disciplined and less experienced. But the
and the affect Of those who should sur
viYe the conflict. still would follow in the
old track, be fixed on the same objects, land
have the same direction. The Neapolitans
will never despair that liberty which they
have once learned 10 value. Overrun them
with the united armies of Europe, they will
still cherish the new political principles
which they have avowed. That should do
this, is consonant to history, TO experience
--censonantt to human nature.
But is there no hope, that Naples may
successfully resist her invaders? Must she
again submit to foreign domination? For
get the lessons of civil liberty she has learn.
ed, an d retrace her steps in the race of po-
litical emancipation? For happier result
than this we cannot ut hope. Doubtful Of
her success, and appalled, at the powerful
combination in league against her, we dc
not yet despair. Within few years politi.
cal information hasbeen astonisbingly diffus.
ed in Germany, as well as in Italy. 1t has
extended its influence even to nations we
have been in the habit OF considering barba.
rian. Austria, aware Of this, has employ.
ed, in her operations against Naples, those
troops, who are least imbued with The pc.
cuiar notions Of this aye. A large portion
Of them are Hung arians, whose national
peculiarities would prevent their feeling
much sympathy for the Neapolitans, but
who are yet remarkable for The ardor Of