Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-02-24

publics we shall soonbe nothing but a tale.
The day which brings disunion viii rise in
darkness over this land, The dreadful word
will be echoed in groans from mountain to
mountain, and from shore to shore; and our
country
"sighing through all her realms give signs Of
woe that all is lost"
This north western project strikes me with
superstitious dread. Our wise, Of other times,
seem to have considered the western wilder
ness fit drain for the proAigate and despe-
rate of our country. But modern politicians
contend that those migrations will maintain
the purity of our institutions, though dismem-
bered from our nation, and still join us in 81
Multitude of government. Iquestion wheth-
er a people who are themselves not homoge-
neously combined, whose diversity Of charac-
ter is continually sustained by new corners
from abroad, whose political faith is not con-
fr1ned by experience, NOR upheld by traditional
reverence. question whether such people
can perpetuate their political faith in colony
collected from every part of the country,
owning no political connexion, and lost in the
depth of wilderness. may be allowed the
general observation that such settlements are
mostly composed of the wrecks and refuse of
society. Ifotherwise, nature herselfis known
to change with climate and circumstances,
then why not the facticious qualities of man
Is not government more influenced by acct
dent than choice, and often made absolute
from necessity Is not society impressed by
surrounding objects, and disseminated by dis
lance The northern hive of Europe grew
up from migrators estranged from the parent
stock; and genial regions they left. May
not our colony be like them, and at no distant
day send forth " its young swarms to gather
honey in the more blooming fields and milder
air" of their ancestors
Still we are urged to anticipate others in
this settlement, though it may become indie
pendent The settling of foreigners would
not weaken our attachment, but unite us
more closely against hostilities, whereas OPP
posite consequences might ensue from our
own migrators. They are more likely to
spread over the intervening deserts, and
where will be the border of the two empires'
Other states may adhere to them from future
union may break at the Rocky
Mountains, the Mississippi or the Alleghanies;
or experience convulsions that will tearit into
fragments, till it presents type OF modern
Italy, or every local barrier is national boun.
dairy.
The present extent of our country might
furnish sufficient apprehensions Of disunion.
The political limits of the federal and state
governments were early compared to the
nsensible distraction between animal and We
getable life and succeeding events have il
ustrated the remark. Elementary questions
must multiply IS our statute book progresses,
md become more dangerous from the
thickness of society, and the power of
Of popular excitement. But the most impor-
tant circumstance will be the temper which
conducts their discussion; parties estranged
BY distance and averted by nonintercouse are
easily ranked by controversy. Very different
f they be actuated by the amiable relations
and sympathies of our nature. The facility
Of intercourse will do away that bstrac-
ion which might feignthe surrounding noun
.ains as intended for national limits 1t will
entwine society by the dearest connexions, and
expand local attachments into sentiment OF
general patriotism. 1t will blend the varying |
shades of our character, and extinguish those
moral contracts which variegate oui picture.
and as it combines our qualities and fixes a
national character, it will augment our power
md strengthen our moral and political inAu-
ence on others and ourselves.
'The vigour of government" says Hamil-
on, els essential to the security of liberty"
In spite of constitutional provisions that vigor
s abated without internal improvements. In
vain have we granted sufficient power, with
,ut the medium to exernise it. What avail
Is vigilance and wisdom when its activity is
naTed by insurmountable obstacles What
Violence may be wreaked upon distant socie-
les, and ruin their prosperity, before the arm
II government can be stretched out in their
lefencel How often may its authority be inn
pugned, its laws suspended, and its policy
frustrated by phrenetic insurgents How Of
en may rebellion gather into fearful magni-
ude, ere it can erect its attitude and embody
IS strength You must remember, gentlemen,
when the majesty of our government was vio-
ated, though represented by the purity Of
when iniquitous faction reared
Is standard not far distant from the capitol,
md might have convulsed the whole union but
or the prompt vigor that surprised it. The
ike crisis may occur in some more distant sit
lation, and in the present state ofthe interior,
What would he o,r prosnecf Or Gp1re IN