The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-07-07

4
enerva,ing effects Of slavery, the happy
American looks with transport on the fer
tile plains and Blue Ridged mountains Of
! his country, where he roams free and un-
constrained, and "knows himself man."
But, gentlemen, it is not in the mere
enjoyment of liberty itself, that we find
so much to exult. This, separated from
other causes, would afford us but little
qualification. The happiness of peo-
pie arises not so much from the posses.
sion of blessings, as from the proper use
which they make of them. Liberty or
the freedom Of acting, according as our
Judgments may advise us, is, certainly. the
great source from which all enjoyment,
is to be, derived. Yet, without proper
precautions, such liberty is often insup-
portable and dangerous. 1t is by the Gull
tiva,ion OF virtue by the confinement of
our desires within moderate limits: by
shackling ourselves in degree by the
restraints of society that our glory, our
happiness, and our national importance
are secured. When liberty is carried to
an extreme it approaches to slavery il
destroys those principles of equality tina,
constitute the chief pride of our republi-
can institutions; it disseminates habits OF
sumptuousness and luxury and i, finally
produces avarice,with all its grinding and
oppression, and all its misery and vice
While, therefore, we have assembled to
celebrate the era OF our liberties, let us
be joyful that we have not as yet sullied
it by any moral depravity of our own
that the fair fame that has been handed
down TO US, by our own forefalhers, has
never as yet been furnished by their sons;
that the banner of independence still
floats over land, where every virtue is
predominant, where her natives are spot.
less as the breezes that are waited from
her hills.
| ln drawing comparison between our.
present situation, and that OF European
Kingdoms, we have still further 10 exult
IN the contrast it affords US. While
they exhibit scene of darkness and con-
fusion, almost unparalleled in the annals
oil the worid-%e, I'D the delights of peace
and happiness are increasing our glory
and importance \Niaiie .p-an.- -
s1cpIrea monarchs are kindling the
name OF discord in other climess we ane
eXerling ourselves TO stop its ravapes and
horrors Our ships are seen mounting
the pillows OF every ocean, and spreading
their sails to the favour of every breeze.
The unfortunate African, whom cruelty
and oppression have torn from the scenes
OF his love, from thosekindred and friends.
without whom the s'world is sad, and the 4
garden is a Wild" in us finds a saviour
TO redeem him from captivity. Through
our ezeriions chiefly, have piracies been
! exterminated, and the commercial inter
course OF nations been restored. But, it
us mol only by belligerent measures that
we have shewn our concern for The cause
OF mankind. G;her means have been
pursued, and Hindostan and many of the
islands in the Pacific have felt the effects
OF our disinterested benevolence. The
book OF revelation has been circulated q.
yer these countries, and the poor beathen
has been enlightened by our means, The
Jew, too, has found in our bosom a re.
fuge, and in our charity subsistence.
That scattered and 0esolated people. so
Signally the mark OF an syenging Deity,
T are no longer objects of absolute despair.
Societies have beenformed for the effect
ing oftheir conversion, and it is now hop
ed that they will be brought to the light
OF reason and of truth. These are, a.
mong the moral advantages that result
from The correct use Of civil and reIisious
liberty, separating the mind from every
thing sordid and interested, instilling the
preoePts Of beDevolence, and making the
! people Of all Countries In he enuaIly