Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-04-22
oaaU g9a1ssm.
FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL %, 1895.


Europe.-ln Perusng the annals of history we are
struck with wonder and astonshnent that whilst al
most every ancient institutions civil and political has
been wrecked by time,-whst all the governments of
antiquity whose successes and glory and disasters have
been recorded and transmitted TO pusterty have persb
GU 'oFeVer'-whst, not even the slightest vesges of
'he wealth, and grandeur, and magnihcence, of MANY
powerful nations, can now be discovered whilst the
Proudest monuments of human art and human wisdom
have crumbled into dust:-still Despotism during all
ages and through all the changes and revolutions which
the political world has undergone has like the fatal
curse denounced against Cain, descended from genera
ton to generation, from the reInotest period ofanquitv
Although, when we glance through the dark vista of
the past, we behold "nan" the slave of tyrantsbis
rights nsulted and tanplcd on with aughty contemnt
and uneeling insoIence,th nobest powers and ener
ges of his mind benumbel bv the morbid and deadly
influence of ruthless oppresson-and all his natural
susceptbies of improvement, in his moral ntelIec-
tuai AMI political condition. foreverparazed although
we gaze on the present state of Europe and all sides
see with fearful apprehension aud anxious interest
appalling despotsm broodng its destinies and poi
'ong and destroying every of domestic social
and political happiness, although arbitrary mower
supported by tremendous military force, reigns tri.
umPhan and treads under foot the liberties ofmanknd
the public mind, by the censorship of the press shroud
en IN the darkness of gnorance-and man reduced and
degraded TO state of abect slavery-ahouph the
absurd and detestabe doctrine that the will of the
Prince should be the law of the land and his mandate
ooeyed as the voice of conscience is now the primary
rticIo in tho al.
ance,-although the dungeons of Austria. Prussia.
i'a'y ana SPAN are crowded with prisoners and their
nos' INDUSTRIOUS and distinguished citizens are dragged
from their families, and from society-,gmured within
me walls OF prison, and subjected to every privatou
which can render life Observation-Disclosures human in
genulty is pn TO the rack to devise some new mode nj
torturng the wretchcd individuals who are suspected
entertaining liberal and enlarged views on the subject
Oh government and the principles of social union and
VINO without being confronted by their accuser with
out the privilege of seeing, much less of EXAMINING
witness without nthe solemn mockerv ofo trial re
condemned TO imprisonment for le-in many instance,
when oevidence produced to PROV their nt
broken and mangled the wheelo extort the confession
OF crime which they never have committed-yet VIC
still cling with enthusiastic delight TO the hope that bt
cause liberty will ultimately prevail over arbitrar,
power,-that the chains of vassalage will be burs
asunder-that the rights of the whole human race will
be secured by constitutional provisions based on The
only legitimate foundation ofall power the soyeregnt,
OF The people," and guarded by the ever atchfu vig
lance of an enlightened public opinion-and the Amer
lean Revolution furnishes erble proof thai
our hope will eventually be realized
We do believe that the day is rapidly approaching
when mankind will no longer be the wretched victims
of fell and odious despotism-when his nature will nc
longer edeg ade, his mind debaseJ by deesable
and Calling bondage-when free press and an en-.
ghened system of education hall SIZED their BLESSINGS
and cheering light all ranks and conditions of socie
ty-when the nations oftbe earth shall no longer SUBJ
nit TO the arbitrary exacions the oppressive taxation
which they endure, and shall no longer passyely
obey the imperious mandates of iron-handed Rulers
Their vengeance shall then longer seep-the thrones
Of the soyereigns shall olter to their ba es-and the
ccnt dynastes of Europe shall be crushed beneath their
ruins
-eGO-
The "PoToMAc MUsE, by go Lady," who is said
to be the niece of Mr.. Brent, formerly Senator in
the Congress of the United States, IS just published
and for sale in the book stores Of this city, As vet
we have merely glanced at the productions We were,
however, much gratied with the perusal of the ode