Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-16

Our OWL Tree AIN W VIZ - -
the press, is now impossible. Men, now,
know both their own rights, and the rights OF
those that govern. And, if the peace OF ma
tons be dear to such an alliance; If Their own
tranquility, and the welfare Of their people,
be precious to them, let them seek, as the
best means of securing all, not to break down
and destroy the spirit of truth and Liberty, by
chains, and by the sword, but, by wise and free
institutions, to foster and to lead it to Donly
legitimate object, social happiness.
Though in Spain, and in italy-Spain the
discoverer of this new world-Spain, our ear
" ally; and Italy, the presever of letters, a.
midst the darkness of barbarism; their former
glories be now dimmed, and though bondage
and exile, pain and want, ignominy and death,
are the hard rewards of many gallant spirit
who struggled in their cause, still the struggle
has not been altogether vain. The vestal
flame of truth and liberty is still kept bright
and pure on the altar of many patriots heart,
and, even in distant lands, many fervent wish
is offered up, that its benign light may soon
beam forth, and illumine their fertile regions
Looking still further, it is in Greece that
the soul stirring prospect is presented, OF a
people rising in tie majesty of their strength,
and resolving to live free or die. Greece, in
ancient times the land of patriots, heroes, and
sages,t the Muses. birthplace, the Graces' home,
and of Genius the resplendent dwellings
wakcned at last, from the moral and intellec-
tual lethargy under which for ages she has
lain PROSTATE, the pity of the free, and the
scom of the oppressor, with the consciousness
of her degradation, has returned the memory
of her former glory. On her mountains, a.
midst the ruin of her temples, in her sacred
groves, and on her sea-beaten shores, has the
voice of liberty resounded. From her fields,
more prolific than the tabled days of her ORR
gin, have sprung up bands of soldiers; and her
seas, not less fertile in the means of her deli
veance, have brought forth armed ships
Wherever her enemy appears, he meets her
victorious defenders. With the spirit and the
energy of her heroic ancestors, proudly does
she bear herselfin the contest. Though it is
under the sacred banner of the Cross that she
fights for liberty and for knowledge, still no
free, no civilized, no Christian nation aids in
the holy struggle. Yet, alone, but self-sus-
tanned, thus far, in victorious splendour, she
has waged the unequal war against her nigh
ty foe, her blood.stained oppressor. And, if
there be virtue in the prayers of the free, the
brave, and the good, who, in every cline and
in every nation, her mar =, her cause, and her
sufferings, have made her friends-liberty,
peace, and happiness, will soon crown her
glorious efforts
From the anxious contemplation ola people
struggling to be free, we look with JOY to
! whole family of nations, which, in this new
world, have passed, through long and great
hibulaton, from enslaved and dependent CO.
Iones, to sovereign and free States. There,
throughout a vast region, which, few years
ago, was sbrouded in more than barbara dark
ness, and over numerous people whose de-
graded condition the philosopher contempla-
ted with dismay, and the philanthropistin sor-
row, light and liberty are now enjoyed, and
whole nations of freemen now dwell. OF
these, Colombia, Mexico, GUATEMALA, Buenos
Ayres, Chill and Peru, all following the exam
pie which was given to them by our fathers,
on the great day which We celebrate, have a.
dopted, also, their political faith Republicans
in name and in principle, they have founded
theirsociaI system on the rights of man, and
now enjoy the glorious privilege of selfgo-
vernment. Brazil, though preferring the
form nf the political institutions nf Europe.
under constitutional government, is never
theless, united in the great policy which di-
reefs the courses Of the iBcl,can nations
Justice and peace. It is in tins American fam
| ilv, of which it is our pride to be the Oldest
member, that, whatever may betide the old
| world, the elements of rational liberty will be
preserved to mankind; it is by their joint wis.,
dom that the principles which should govern
nations, in their conduct towards each other,
| whether in peace or war, will be established;
tits over their vast territories, where liberty
reigns, that knowledge will diffuse her benign
influence What event could be more worthy
to mark this Jubilee of American liberty, than
| the enfranchisement of so many American ma
tons; and it requires esprit of prophecy to
predict that, before another jubilee rolls round
the whole American hemisphere will be
land of freemen.
In this happy sketch ofthe improved condi-
ton of the world, we are brought at length
near home. But, before we turn our eyes to
the gay scene which our own prosperity af-
fords, let us not, on this occasion, overlook
the other benefits which mankindhas derived
from the progress of truth in the wide diff
fusion of the mild precepts of Christianity, in
the abolition of the slave trade, in the termi-
nation of Christian captivity among the rovers
of Barbary, in the revival ofindusuy in Egypt,
in the foundation of flourishing colonies from
which civilization is to be spread through Au-
stralasia, Polynesia, and even Africa itself; and
though last not least, in the extension and inn
provement of the useful and polite arts, of Ii
terature and of science.
| Come we now to our own home; to this dear
and cherished spot, from which, liberal as you
are, feel that have too long detained you.
1t is here, in this favorite abode of truth and
liberty, in this land of peace, gladness, and
plenty, that, by the favor of Heaven, the true
results are to be seen Of that glorious event
which we celebrate. Our little neglected CO.
lony, changed to mighty republic; our limits
extended from ocean to ocean; our few hardy
peasantry grown up into numerous nation,
rivaning the world in every art and every pur-
suit to which the diversified genius of man is
directed, and, though loving peace, feeling,
in the results of two wars, no other regrets
than for the brave men who fell in their coun-
ty's cause; a nation rich in honor, that safe
guard of liberty and virtue, rich in the patriot
ism and valor other citizens, rich in their en-
terprize, their industry, their knowledge, and