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

Inns the unbounded freedom OF our lnsli'u'''"'
.I,honoh i, NAV contribute to variety ana eve"
eccen,rici,y ofdispostion; is after all indisP.n
sahle necessary to The formation OF any .hi"s
,;te national character. This cIfcums,auIe
.veusannears TO render the existence OIL all o
ers comparatively unimportant. gres'
er. has traced the most remarRaoie q"ar ~.
The English character to the existence ~
| custom of primogenitnre.-ano YET u. .. i;
tiles are 10 the least as decisiVe,y -.
PENNSYLVANIA and New England w9ere , .na.
LINTON never existed The truth is, although
The struggle with difficulty is an absolutely ne
.essarv incentive 10 fruitful and vigorous eXef-
,inn. re, in a country where an entire freedom
or action exists there is this double advah'a8e'
that. although political sersitude is des.royeo'
together with the eternal disquietude which a0-
companies it, there is substituted in lis place
thousand private cares and anXle'ies "niI"
wbet and sharpen the faculties OF men, ana 40
not permit them to take refuge from taelr own
inactivity, in the public disorders OF the 'imts'
while al the same time they are endowed wi'n
a mower of independent exertion which enables
them 10 beat down the difficulties when, sur
| round them.
The English are, universally esteemed grave
people; and it appears to me that the hme'!-
cans are hardly less so. This CHARACTERISTIC
disposition Of the two nations, which is as ali-
rerent from Spanish gravity, as II is from french
yivaci,y, alises from the cause to which nave
Jus, referred. Almost the whole people IN oo'h
countries, are compelled TO rely upon their own
saeaci,y and enterprise independently exer'ea'
for success in lfc while in most other countries
there is sort Of graduation OF dependence 'hro
| all ranks which enteebes every courageous e.
| fort Of the mind and manifests its influence even
|
pose upon men the ability aud the necessity oil
superin,epdine their own affairs, Of originating
and finishing every scheme which is entered up
on for the improvement Of their condition., you
| render them thoughtful and consequently seri-
ous.-At first sight, one would suppose lhat
there shcdid be more seriousness In countries
where an irresistible power eqcrcises balefui
and poten. influence overall the thoughts asa
actions Of men. But il is otherwise. There the
mind is IA reality less besieged and excited by
the cares and anxie,ies ofiite. For either the
feelings which are necessary TO render men SEN
sible of theic situation cannot grow up III such
a soil: or people at once deliver themselves
from all thought Of tomorrow, by passing INTO
the opposite extreme Of a Careless and 1.-Two
lous vivacity. AT The same time, the oriiiiahl
appearance which the face of public affairs
wears in such countries, is calculated TO occn-
ply and absorb the thoughts OF every one, and to
illuminate with deceilful lustre even the
Indebtedness which is every where prevalent.
We are accustomed 10 congratulate ourselves
on our free institutions: and ii is fortunate that
we have the courage and wisdom to do so. But
as il is common to give to the term happiness
more than one meaning, it may admit OF doubt,
whether IN every sense Of that word we ENJOY
more than the people Of other countries. w hen
you contrast the houghiful countenance oil men
OF Business, in all occupations in tins country,
with the unceasing gaiety and loquaclty OF the
Italians and Preach, you would be disposed 70
say, that the latter were the happiest. But ser
wants are always more gay and full OF animal
spirits than their masters; and while the song
and The Joke are enliyening the kitchen, the
inmates Of the parlour will frequently ex-
hibit demeanor Of cold and thoughtful
reserve. We are mistaken ii we suppose
that free iDslitu ions because they dive a.
way the spectre of absolute power, are calcu-
Ted TO introduce merriment. In proportion as
YOU deliver men from the authority and infln
ence Of their superiors, YOU open wide the walks
Of private life, and you do in truth increase the
cares and anxielies oi The mind. Youth are
fond OF looking forw ard TO the period when they
shall become their own masters, and their ina
ginuuons revel in the visions Of unrestrained
pleasure, in which they propose 10 indulge. Mt.
And yet, they no sooner take leave Of the pater-
nal roof, than the cares Of the world begin 10
fall upon them, and in proportion to the thought
and relectio which these occasion, is the hope
which is entertained Of them. These are the
Two images of an enslavcd and free people -
Morier, in MS Persia, mentions the surprise Of
the people who entertained the gentlemen on
that expedition. that The English should prefer
walking about the room in thoughtful silence,
to their custom Of constantly reclining. The
hand OF power had sunk them into profound
and diowsy stupor; and they could form no con.
ception of that unceasing and ever restless &C.
riv:y Of mind, which distinguishes the native
OF free country, and which is the grea, ins,ru-
msnt Of his improvement and happiness.
IL is thus that the institutions Of free country
exercise such an impor,anl influence over III.
march Of the human mind The materials of
thought are Infinitely multiplied; and a hab, Of
reflection becomes the necessary and conslitu-
tiousl exercise of the mind. And it is con
sideration Of the profoundcst importance, that
the character which is thus created for US whe-
Their we will or no, is the only security which
could be invented for the maintenance and per-
petuity Of our usti'utions.-And il reveals 70
us the true secret of the civil tranquility which
has prevailed in Great Britain amidst the wild