Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-18

ton Of this kind of character is fatal to the Tor
nation of public character. Far from 1t: II Is
fitled 10 produce public character OF the great
est energy and in,repidity. The display Of
these qualities may not be so ohen demanded;
but when they are, they are sure 10 come form,
and TO carry into the public councils all the
civil courage which is necessary to encounter
the most trying difficulties. And when the
direful extremity of war is Obliged 10 be resort
ed to, the national spirit has shone out with as
bright lustre as that of any other people,
Look at the capture of Louisburg, the then
Dunkirk of America, the siege Of Yorktown,
and the victory Of New Orleans. The truth is,
that private life is the true school Of all the pub
lie virtues; and he who supposes that nation,
whose standing policy is peace, will become
emasculaled in its disposition, will find himself
70 be egregiousy mistaken. This nation has
been graded in var; and because its situation
and institutions now enable it 10 cultivate the
arts Of peace, il must not be supposed that it
will be ever deficient in a character Of maseu-
line energy. Is it reasonable 10 suppose that,
as you increase the rational and substantial en-
joyments Of men, and multiply the interests
which bind them to life, that they will be less
tenacious Of the preservation Of them, and less
courageous in the struggle 10 defend them!-
All analogy, and even all our history prove 9TH
erwise. Ii is remarkable that since the late
war, there has been marked change in the o.
pinlon entertained Of us in Europe. Although
the national character was precisely the same
before the deeds ofthat day, that i, ever was, ii
seemed to require something Of mere notorety,
something which should attract the gaze OF
the men Of the old world before they could be
brougt 10 any kind of understanding of our cha
t,I hot oxliS rrtiS h.
ed by even more vigor and intelligence in time
of profound peace; and derived its lustre during
the late war from the Efforts -four citizens who
had been trained in private lie.
NV readers have seen instances Of indivicu-
ais who have been bred in obscurity, with none
of those singular advantages which spread us-
ire over the morning Of life, unseen and unno-
ticed by the public eye, pursuing through eve
ry difficulty and encouragement, an even tenor
of conduct, improving the riches Of gifted
understanding, and ultimately casting into
fearful eclipse all those bright spirits, who had
started before them. This is the picture OF our
country from infancy to manhood. Cast out
from the civilized community Of the world, nur-
tured in poverty and adversely, we reared in the
wilderness a system Of civil polity more just
and enlightened than had ever been witnessed.
Through the long tract Of years which has fol-
lowed, we have been living in obscuIity and re-
tirement from the splendid hustle Of European
politics, without any Of that dazzling and be-
wildering luslre which could attract notice from
abroad. We have made use Of the season Of
peace to cultivate the arts of peace, and silent
Iy but surely we have been gaining strength
and solidity Of stature which is now beginning
to draw the attention of all Europe towards US;
and even to inspire a fear that we shall out run
any other nation in the career Of moral apd in
,elIec,ual improvement.
The character of every nation receives tinge
more or less, from the climate and other physi.
cal causes surrounding them. Indeed, fine
wri.er,f in tracing the causes Of the difference
of the character and literature of the people OF
northern and southern Europe, has ascribed
great efficacy TO the influence Of these circum.
stances. In the north, she says "men rumina,e
upon their IDEAS; in the south, delicious eli
mate and beautiful scenery render them the
creatures Of sensation. The bleak and dcsolate
aspect Of nature in northern climate is sup
posed TO shut men out from the fascination Of
external objects, and eonccntre the mind upon
Intellectual pursuits. Thus the people Of France
and Italy are said to have more vivacity, while !
their northern neighbors are distinguished for
moral energy and the workings of powerful
intellect. Without denying the agency of ply |
steal causes, am disposed to question their in
fuence TO any great extent, upon that portion
Of society which is much subjected to the oper-
alton of moral causes. And in surveying this
there is nothing which will more for
chilly strike the mind, than the astonishing uni |
formity Of character which persades it. / do
not mean that there is no difference Of cha-ac-
ter; but, there is less than you will observe in
any one country of Europe, which has at the
same time. hardly more than one climate.-lh
European countries, the great mass Of the po-
pulation is the creature Of circumstances, and |
their character receive ,inge from all the ex-
ternaI circumstances which surround them
But in this country, the bulk Of the people are
independent, and are forever oc-
cuped with the improvement Of their condi. |
lion. The pursuit Of this object, weakens the
eficacy of physical causes, and almost entirely |
1epriyes them of an influence on the character.
md thus, although one can distinguish some |
slight difference of,emperamcnt between the in
ha5tan,s Of the northern and southern states,
it does not amount to great deal, and it is so
much controlled by the circumstances Of their
moral condition, that as before said, we pos
se.s uniformity Of character which belongs 10
no other people. The gondoliers Of Venice, we
are told, rec,e the verses Of Tasso, and gay |
,,J ,;rv i'm in tion is said IN distinpuish neo