Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-06-24
&terelIaMU.
FIFTY YEARS AGO.

that brief portion Of time our country
has performed the work of ages
From fertile infancy she has grown.
with unexampled rapidity to giants
size and giants strength. She has
dashed through all the obstacles which
Jealousy and hatred flung in her path,
to surprising point Of greatsess. Her
valour has commanded the respect
her enterprise has excited the emula-
tien--her prudence won the regard
and her success obtained the admira-
Gon of the world.
Fifty years ago, and these States
were linked together by an uncertain
asd frial tenure, which the slightest
breath Of interest might have destroy
ed. Now, we are firR and sold
boUtherhood, which neither treachery
(if there be AMY from within, nor as.
s,ults from without, can dissolve.
Fifty years ago. the pettiest principal
ity in Europe might treat US with dis
dian Now, the mightiest empires in
the world solicit our friendship, and
avoid our hostility. Fifty years ago,
our civil policy was sneered at by the
critics of the world, as chimerical and
impracticable Now the problem has
been solved. The principles Of our
constitution have wrought wholesome
reformation in the rotten politics OF
Europe, and its form has been copied
by the young Republics Of the South
Fifty years ago. the philosophers spec
ulated on the vast inferiority of our
physical powers and our moral gen.
Jus Now, the world stands amazed
at the designs which that genius has
conceived, and those powers accom-.
pIishsd--deslgns exceIleing all that IS
contained in the history Of civilized
man. Fifty years ago. and we were a
population of two millions, scantily
dispersed along a protracted seaboard:
Now, we count twelve millions OF
citizens, covering boundless terri
tory. Fifty years ago, and all beyond
the coast was desolate wilderness,
disturbed only by the ye'ls Of animals
or the war-whoop of savages Nov,
res0unding with the busy hum OF
men," and endowed with al, the com.
( rts, and much ofthe splendour of the
most accomplished society. Fifty
years ago, and the name Of an Ameri-
can was reproachful stigma Now,
it is proud distinction and passport
to honor. Fifty years ago, anc we
were dependent colony Nov, we
are great, glorious and free people
rejoicing in the blessings we possess,
and ready to partake those blessings
with the world.
These are some Of the marvellous
contrasts which the two extremes OF
half a century exhibit. The history OF
the interval IS noble and spirit stir
ring character. 1t is history OF hu-
man good. 1t 10 a history which tings
lusture, not only on our country, but
on our very nature. 1t is staised ny
no national turpitude. The convuls.
ions of civil war and treason have Lett
no spots upon its page. 1t is marked
neither with humiliating submission
nor insolent opposition. Toa young
struggling, and high spirited people
the divisions of party are natural ; ant
where there is party, there will b.
some violence /; it is the salt OF ou
national existence )" but on our nata
day, we meet without political distinc
tiou, and rejoice without being tram
melled by party.
Our commerce presents a surprising
picture Of enterpr,ze and success
Wherever the winds OF heaven cai
blow, there is Oar flag, protected by ;
gallant navy, unfurled. The facil
ties for promoting internal trade arr
Bumcrous beyond all example :-NeY
roads daily starting into existence
canals, exceeding ia magnitude end u
tiity, every thing before known an
natural water communication of tb
most proligal kind. Our agricultur
has reduced the wilderness to sui
mission, and has furnished mankin
with novel and useful productions. !
manufactures, (the last appliance of 81
cial industry our progress has, wit
la few years, been singnlarly rapu
is full of promise. From the LAX,
to the Gulf Of Mexico, from the A
lantic to the Mountains of the West
all is one vast arena Of activity, pers
verance aud success.
ENor has the moral advances Of o.
country been Inconsistent with its p
litical progress. ss.-Literature, the iu
ury Of old states, is respec table wi
US. We have as yet no anele
and opulent iss,i utions for the e
souragen ent VI tetered ease, and
We, literature has not become d
f;nct ;pro(ession. But our works