Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-08-16

dead and the remaining few stand on
the verge OF mortality and will soon drop
INTO eternity! But they have ieltus, their
children, legacy more precious than,
the gold Of Ophir--more imperishable
than the walls OF Adamant They have
left us the enjoyment of personal liberty
the unalienable right Of governing our
selves. All legitimate governments are
ioundedin compact. The people of these
United States are peculiarly happy in
this respect. Our history does not be-
gin with Darrating the exploits of some
sanguinary chiefain whose blood stained
crimes, like Cortez or Pizarro, the con-
querors of Mexico and Peru, rendered
them the terrors of deienceless inno-
cence, andthe execration of mankind
No, we glory in race of ancestors who
were men of the purest morals and the
most unsulied virtue: who were too pi
Gus to dissemble and too independent 10
submit to the Examinations Of To-
reign despotic government We glo-
ry IN ancestors who left their ma
tive shores in quest ofthis better coun-
try-who encountered cheerfully the
perils of an unacceptable wilderness to
secure to themselves and their postefity
the unmolested enjoyment of civil and
religious liberty. These blessings hey
bequeathed with their dying breath 10
their children, and in defence of this pre-
cious legacy, our fathers felt themselves
justified before God and men, in appeal
ing TO arms in the revolutionary struggle.
The cause was just and heaven succeed.
ed it. The contest was severe but iber
" and victory followed The sun Of
freedom which had been gradually rising
upon tbeseinfan, states now burst forth in
meridian splendor. Another empire
appeared upon the map of the world
Astonished Europe beheld in this ives
tern hemisphere new constellation. A
new planet appeared in the political ho-
rizon moving regularly round its own
orbit
When the passions incident to state
OF war had subsidized, the public attention
| was naturally drawn TO our internal con-
Germs. The provisional government,
like the tabernacle in the wilderness, had
been erected during the revolutlonsr.
march, but was too defective and ineffi
cient for future security. Ii became ne.
cessary IN order to consolidate the state,
and give permanently and dignity to our
national character, that a new constiiu,
ton should be framed. Here then was
a difficult and delicate task. To form a
government sufficient energy and pre-
serve inviolaie the privileges of each
state was momentous question. Dele
gates accordingly We're appointed from
the different states who met in copven-
ion for The purpose. Never was there
an assembly convened upon more i'm
portant occasion. The future destiny of
uaborn millions depended on their de-
libera,ions. They were to lay the foun-
dation OF our empire, the extension aud
duration of which it is impossible TO cal
culase. Suffice it to say CONSTITUTION
was framed and adopted which has been
the admiration, of thousands in other CO.
vernmcnts, and which has become the
pattern for other nations.
This sacred instrument ought 70 be
considered as the Magma Charta of our
rights and privileges. So long as we
preserve j, inviolate, and govern ourselves
according to lis true spirit, we shall con-
tinue free people.
Under the benign influence ofthis go
vernmenl ii is our happiness to live.
Here new field is open for the expan-
sion oil the human mind, and upon j,
literature and science already have made
wonderful strides. America, from her
situation and resources, possesses greater
advantages for the improvement of hui
man happiness than have marked an,
other nation in the early stage Of its po-
/ litical existence. She has never been
CENTRALIZED by barbarous superstition,
nor interrupted by the frequent din oil
arms.
Here peace waves her gentle banner,
science expands her genial rays, and
arts aourlsa 10 maturity. Our eyes have
opened Oh country where the parent
of mercics has been pleased to condense
his blessings. 1t is the hemisphere OF
freedom, enjoying the full refu lgcnce Of
the star OF Bethlehem. Thus blessed in
the dispensation of nature, providence
and grace, who cannot live happy! Pro-
pitious era! Happy delightful country
Hail Columbia Thou first born of free
dom Thou who hast taught the world
to know andpraise this heaven-born gift.
Is there nodrawbackupon thy happiness
Is there no dark shade upon the escui-
Chem of thv fame