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

theme, let us, on this jubilee OF human tree
dom, survey the improved condition OF mar
since the memorable epoch which we this day
; celebrate. Though the progress of truth ane
liberty has been often obstructed, though the
conflict which they have maintained agains
tyranny and error, has sometimes been O
doubtful and wavering success, and though
when almost at the moment OF victory, me
llancholy reverse has sometimes thrown them
far behind in the contest, still throughout the
civilized world, the moral and political con
dition of man has improved. Thsugh nc
truths can be more certain than those which
constitute the peculiar basis of our political
system, it is not for me, standing here in the
Capitol of nation, which alike respects the
rights of nations and of men, to arraign the
systems under which other nations and Other
men may choose to live. The institutions Of
a country must be adapted to the condition Of
the people when this changes, those change
with it. The generous and enlightened spi
rit of philanthropy which distinguishes the
American character, wishes, tor every nation,
all the happiness of which their condition is
susceptible and whatever may be their sys
tens of government, it is too Just to withhold
from any the applause that may be due.
Looking abroad, then, in this spirit, We See
in Europe, that proud nation from whom we
descended, nation famed in arts, in arms,
and in empire, yet owing her greatness mos,
to the freedom of her people, still leading in
the career of political improvement. Imbued
with the light Of the age, and profting, a.
all enlightened nations must profit, by the
memorable example which our prosperity af
fords of the transcendent influence of liberty
upon the well-being OF states, she tempers
with its spirit those institutions which have de-
scended TO her from feudal times. The san.
culinary maxims of her penal code, which the
benevolence of her people had long refused
to execute, are gradually abrogated. The re
straints which have so long fettered the i'll
dust1y and enterprise of her subjects, she is
now removing. But she owes it to their pat.
riotism, to her own honor, and to the spirit
of the times, to take from their conscience
those bonds which will not permit them to
serve their country without sacrificing their
religious faith If, under her authority, deeds
are sometimes done, at which the genius OF
her fame drops tear; if her government is
sometimes betrayed into measures adverse to
liberty, or sometimes turns deaf ear to the
cries of suffering humanity; yet her generous
people are never slow to regret wrongs done
in her name, and they are among the first to
sympathise with the oppressed and the dis,
tressed in every quarter of the globe: and the
crown itself, yielding to the liberal sentiments
which pervade the nation, has readily follow
ed our own example, in acknowledging the
new republics of America.
In France, that nation, who, from her early
friendship, and from the munifcent aid which
she afforded to us III our time of need, will al
WAYS hold place in our affections-that ma
ton, who, from her natural policy. as well as
from the feelings of her inhabitants, will al
WAYS be our friend-that nation, in whose re-
verses and in whose glory VIC shall always
sympathise, how different is the political con-
dition of the people! a constitutional govern
ment, in which the principle Of popular re-
presentation is one Of the great elements, ex-
ercises its sway under the salutary influence Of
an enlightened public opinion; justice is ad-
ministered' under wise and mild code; the
trial by jury has taken place of the httreS de
cachef; religious Liberty is secured; the ave-
nues to public honors are thrown open to eve
~ class; anil vassalage Is obliterated in the
rights given by tho charter and the laws to all
the French people. If, to our eyes, her rul-
ers seem to guard the powers of the govern
ment with too many restraints upon the Peo-
plc; if, frightened by the excuses which have
lbeen committed in the name of the rights of
man, they seem to confne his conduct to the
practice of his duties, some apology may, per-
haps, be found in the recollection of the past.
In Russia, which, from her vast power, en-
ioys a prominent place in the affairs of the
world, and which, from the good will that she
has always manifested towards us, claims our
best wishes, the progress of knowledge pre-.
mares the way for liberal institutions. The
mighty Autocrat who controls her destinies,
while he guards with watchful eye and firm
hand the interests of the throne, dispenses a.
mong his subjects, according to their wants
and capacity, in the form of imperial edicts,
many a solid and wholesome improvement
By slow degrees he assinilates MS system to
those of more enlightened nations. In the
abolition of servitude on the estates of the
crown, and the application of his revenue to
purchase liberty for the serts OF his mobiles, IN
the total abolition of torture, in the suppress
sion of the secret council of inquistion, and
the establishment of the senate, he inspired
the early hope that humanity would owe
much to his reign; and even at this late pc.
Rod, so great is his power, that if, leaving to
other princes the adjustment of the relations
between them and their subjects, and listen.
ing only to the benevolence of his own heart,
he would devote himself to the happiness Of
his vast empire, he might still realize the
hopes of his early friends, who, DESTROYS only
of his true greatness, wished to see the great
conqueror's renown eclpsed in the higher
glory of the>benefactor.
: In Portugal, where the spirit offreedom has
been kindled in the struggle against foreign
domination, the people look with confidence
for the fulfllment of the promise made to
them by their King, ola National Cortes. Ir
Switzerland, they still preserve, with theil
simple manners, their Republican feelings.
I'm the Netherlands, where the government
has changed only in name, constitutions
system exists, along with a practical acquain
lance with the principles of freedom. lr
: Sweden, the new sovereign repays, by atten
ton to the interests of his kingdom, the conf
dence which she manifested by his selection
In Denmark, under government despotc il
form the subject is free from oppression BY
| The mild and nacific character of its pOlicy -