Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-08-09

and Spain is now governed by written
and the laws of her cortes.
principles have taken root
in the Spanish soil, and the government
has undergone a state OF regeneration.
But the free institutions, under which
Spain has already began to flourish and
expand her inf1u encc, has awakened the
jealousy of crowned heads and called
down upon her, all the horrors OF Eu-
ropean war. The hardy warriors OF the
north, are pouring down to unite with
the French army to extingulsh the little
remnant of liberty which has found an
asylum in this oppressed nation. Like
America may she triumph over the
hereditary enemies of freedom and esq
tablish free government which shall T.,
with the affections OF her
people. Like America may she be The
cause of giving revolutionary principles
to France. May France communicate
10 Europe, the same principles which
aroused Americans to resist usurpatlon
and tyranny. And may Europe like
America erect upon the ruins OF her
thrones, monarchs and arislocracies, the
altar of freedom, and give liberty 10
millions of her oppressed citizens. Sue
oessve ages of despotism and regal OPP
preston have united in driving freedom
beyond The confines of the eastern heuis. =
phere: and a loogment of this perse'
cu,ed CUES. in any part OF Europe, has
been the signal of alarm in every age.
We have witnessed the extraordinary
agitation of Europe during the Frence
revolution; when the civilized world
iwas in arms to suppress the growth OF
republicanism. We have also Witnessed
with sensations Of deep regret, the sud-
den fate of the unsuccessful revolution
in Naples. We are now about TO witt
ness some of the combined powers Of
Europe leaping upon Spain, either to
lation, or expunge at the expense OF her
liberty, the fairest feature OF her consti.
tuition.
Americans wish we'll to the cause OF
liberty..
Turn with pleasure from survey Of
the old world, where the ,rappings, and
appendages of royalty have become bea-
cons OF national oppression and DISTRESS
10 travel over the fertile soil of Ameri-
ca, where freedom vibrates through every
pore of the body polite, and liberty DIFF
fuses its exhilerating influence over the
extended boundaries OF this republic.
Where liberty is The bir,h-night of every
citizen, and legacy as dear to him as.
me mother that watched over his ten.
der years--where the constitution OF his
personal liberty, personal security and
private properly. That his life, and all
ne holds dear, are under the protection
of the law, and alike guarded by the vie.
GLANCE of government which was rais..
ed by the virtues of free and enlighten.
people. :.
Where is the man that has assembled
on this day to celebrate the anniversary,
of the independence OF his country, who
does not feel proud to say! ! an On
american citizen! ! appeal from the
decision of sordid interest, to the dictates,
OF reason, from him who would triae,
with the nobIest impulse Of republican
virtue, to him who hves for his eounsryt
and ask, whether he could be called 10
witness the overthrow of the free ,nsti.
tu,ions under which he lives, without
emotions Of the keenest sorrow, and
without breasting himself against tho
danger, 10 receive the stab, which is aim
ed agains, the freedom of his countryl
Freedom is dear to every human being.
| Yes, freedom, thou art The bread OF lite
10 all ranks of men. Bread Is the body's
Observation-Disclosures the food OF the
soul.
Usufpation and tyranny have ever
been considered by the people OF inde-
pendent America as subversive u the
rights of man, and calculated to sap the
fundamental principles upon winch thle
government is based; and also to destroy
The great and essential barrier, which
protects the governed from the insatiate
ambition OF tyrants and designing dema.
sogues.
dismiss the great and important sub
jects OF American and European revoiu.
tons, with all their concoMitant tram Of
evils as well as blesslngs-to speak Of
the free, sovereign, and independent state
of Illinois. That Illinois is free, need
no, be averred. That she is sovereign
over her internal polity, with the excep-
tons Of the powers surrendered to the
general government for national purpos-
es, will not be disputed. That she is as.
soluse!y indepenpent Of any foreign in,
A.,A