Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-14

by the COLLISION OF OpiniOnsi reSaruihS VIII
astonishment that prodigious perversion ofgo-
vernment which converts citizens into sub
iects, or rather into slaves; remembering that
It was designed for their happiness, and find
ing it, for the most part, an experiment how
much they NAV be tanned to endure; survey
ing the formidable citadels in which this usur-
patton of human rights hath fortified itself, &C.
cumulating taxes, hosts ofmercenarles, proud
and vexatious aristocracies, burdensome and
intolerant church establishments,-what won
der if we exclaim against the mighty mass Of
errour and mischief with bitterness some
times excessive and undiscriminating, and
thank Heaven, in the fullness of our hearts,
that we are both beyond the shadow OF the
bulwarks of power, and may be the means OF
dragging the oppressor into day"
Let us recur for moment to few princl-
pies which, however, they have 'departe d
from the practice of kings, are neither extra
VACANT nor new; which political philosophy,
since she first spoke language, has placed
among her postulates. These principles are
few, plain, and shortly expressed. They de.
clare it to be but reasonable that men should
regulate the social systems which they form
for their own advantage; that opinion, there
fore, should be free, not only because it is in
fact uncomfortable, but because it alone is the
balance wheel Of the social machine; that the
abilities of citizens should be employed with
out distinction of rank or sect, because the
state has claim to their usefulness, and they
in return, to its honors and rewards.
Such fellow.citizens! is the TEXT of mems
rights; but mark the practical commentary on
it which European governments have given
"Go," says some crowned and sceptered indi-
vidual, into whose single hands the force, the
wealth, the authority of nation are, by some
strange fate, collected-"go, gather treasure,
arms and men; bring the peasant from his hut,
the scholar from his books: bid the business
of life pause in its peaceful course; fill the
highways with hurry and the Glamour DIVA !"
The host goes forth: the strength and means
wrung from subjects at home, carry dismay
into the neighboring confines; the fields drink
carnage; men contend like demons and fear
and hate are engendered for awhole century
between them. You imagine, perhaps, that
this is national quarrel, in which one people,
incensed by some invasion of right at the
hands of another resort, after counsel and de-
liberation, unwillingly to arms Not at ALL
This is merely quarrel between two kings;
the people who butcher, and those who are
butchercd. are meanwhile equally innocent of
the mischief, and ignorant of its cause: their
only part in this affair of desolatioD, is to pay
the cost and suffer the ruin.
GEO." exclaimed this prince at another
time, Gas careful of the minds of his people as
other lives and means); haste to the schools
and universities. | have heard the report of
new and liberal opinions; expel the innova-
tors: bid them think as think, and as their
ancestors have thought for five hundred years.
In vain the people insinuate that the philoso-
ply of their august master is the absolute fol-
ly of barbarous age. Fine, dungeon and
exile, are arguments unanswerablc; and the
king, not tired of the throne of his ancestors.
thinks nothing so reasonable as that his sub.
jects should be content with the servitude of
theirs.
Even ifthis might be borne, his arrogance
scars flight yet higher. His people thus
taught his philosophy, must learn his religion
too. II is true he cannot labor their CONVEX.
sion by bodily pains and penaltes-the hui
manize1 spirit of tho n6e NO Longer Snduaco
this; but he can, as in unhappy Ireland, in-
flict odous civil disabilities, shut up the ave-
nues to honor, and exclude fve-siXths ofthe
eager spirits ofhis subjects from what is next
dearest to man after domestic peace. 1t is
but lately that we have seen a British prince
invoke his conscience, too, to sanction his
bigotrv, and call God to attest his perseve-
rance in intolerance. Such a declaration is
most remarkable in a prince to the obstinacy
of one of whose house Britain is already in
debted for the loss of one empire, and we for
the independence which we commemorate to-
day. Happy had it been for Ireland, had her
oppressors mingled no more hypocrisy with
their tyranny than has fallen to the share
of this polite prince that harp Of Tara had
ere now proclaimed her enfranchisement,
which has 50 long breathed from its chords
her tale of ruin
Contrasted with these apostles of legitima-
cy, into what moral magnifcence rise the
Washngtons and Bolivars Of America Them,
happily for their countries, happily for their
own fame, Heaven taught to convert mode
ration into renown, and to follow virtue for
glory. History offers nothing that has in it,
more of moral grandeur than Washington re.
signing his sword, and Bolivar laying down
his dictatorship. In the South American he
70, imitation is, for once, sublime; "the lus-
ire of thousand diadems is pale" compared
with the iudicious ambition which has led
him in the steps of the most perfect of patri-
OTIS. The infinite distance between king
and hero was never so manifest as in the do
cuments in which these disinterested and il
lustrious men warn their countries Of the per-
lis of arbitrary power, and the manfcstos in
which the Holy Alliance has ins,llted common
sense, and uttered the sad oracles Of tyranny
But truth shall make a second advent on
earth, and again shall the false oracles be
dumb.
Ifgovemments like these ever emanated
from the people, orreposed on their consent,
methinks it is high time to revoke that con-
sent. Aware of this truth, aware that their
subjects know it too, there is no mode which
they neglect to repress the ebulitions of po-
pular sentiment. The people are prohibited
from inquiry, and then their ignorance is al
legged as reason why they shall not govern
themselves: they are shut out from the digni-
ties of the state, and the murmurs of honest
ambition are stiAed as dissatisfaction. Our
better fortune, my fellow citizens, has de-
stroyed this monopoly of knowledge and dig.
mites. Each child of the state may give to
his impartial parent the aid of his acquire.