Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-11-27

ter republics In talr professions C"o"e~ '
praises Of liberty and the gods-where-ano
what is she! For two Thousand years the OPP
pressors have bound her 10 the eartn. ner ar''
are no more. The last sad relics Of ner tenn
ME. are but the barracks Of a ruthless soldiery;
the fragments Of her columns and her Pa'aSeS
are in The dusI, yet beautiful in ruin. She ieh
no, when the mighty were upon her. Her sons
were united at Thermopyls and Marathon; g
the tide Of her triumph rolled back upon Tue
Helles3ont, She was conquered BY her Own
factions. She fell by the hands OF her own pso.
ME. The man Of Macedonia did not the WORK
of destruction. Itwas already done by her own
corrup,ions, banishments & dissen'ions. Rome
republican Rome, whose eagles glanced IN the
rising and setting sun, where, and what Is she'
The eternal city yet remains, proud even IN her
desola,ion poole in her decline, venerable IN the
majesty of religion and calm as in the comPo.
sure of death. The malaria has but traveilec
the paths worn by her destroyers, More tnah
eighteen centuries have incurred over the 1923
of her empire. A mortal disease was upon
her vitals before Cesar had crossed the fuoi'
con; and Brulus did not restore her heai'h ny
the deep probings Of the senate chamber. ne
Gotas and VandaIs and Huns, the swarms OF
the North, completed only what was ALREADY
be gan a, home. Romans betrayed Rome. ne
legons were brought and sold; but the people
offer,d d the tribute money.
And where are the republics OF modern times
which clustered round immortal Italy! Ven
ice and Genoa exist but in name. lhe APPS
indeed look down upon the brave and peaceful
Swiss, in their native Businesses; but The guar
an,v Of their freedom is in their weakness, anu
not in their strength. The mountains are no.
easily crossed, and the valleys are not easily
retained. When the invader comes, he moves
like an avalanche, carrying destruction Iii his
oath. The peasantry sinks before him. The
country is TOO poor for plupder; and too rough
for valuable conquest. Nature presents her e,er-
nal barriers on every side to check the wanton>
ness of ambition; and Switzerland remains with
her simple Institutions, military road TO lairer
climates, scarcely worth permanen, posses
sion, and p detected by the jealousy OF her neigh
bors.
We stand the latest, and, if We IA Nrobably
the last experiment Of sclf-governn.ert by the
peo2e.-NVe have begun /, under circumstan>
ces Of the most suspicious nature. we are
in the vigour Of youth. Our growth never has
been checked by the oppression Of TYRANNY
Our constitutions never have been cnffehl'd
b, The vices O. luxuries Of the old world
Such as we are, we have been from the begin
Jug simple, hardy, intelligent, accustomed TO
self government and self respect. The Allan
tic rolls between US and any formidable foe
Within our own territory, stretching through
many degrees Of latitude and longitude, we
have the choice Of many products, and many
means Of independence. The government is
mild. The press is free. Religion is iree.--
knowledge reaches, or may reach, every home
VIVA, fairer prospect OF success could be pre-
scented? What means more adequate to accom-
Lib ,ho euhi,rns sn63 What mare Deces-
they themselves have os."..ss 'a'
Already has the age caught ihe spirit Of our
institutions. Ii has already assembled the An
des, and snuffed the breesrs Of both oceans. IL
has infused itself into the lifr-blood Of Europe,
and warmed the Sunday plains of France, and
the low lands Of Holland. 1t has touched the
philosophy Of Germany and the North, and,
moving onward 10 the South, has opened TO
Greece the lessons Of her better days.
Can il be, ;hat America under such circum-
stances cali be,ray herself! That she is to be
added TO the catalogue Of Republics, the in
scription upon whose ruin IS, 'rney were, but
they are not Forbid it, my counrymen; for
bid it, Heaven.
1 call upon you, fathers, by the side of your
ancestors, by the dear ashes which repose in
this precious soil, by all you hope to be; resist
ment upon your liberties, resist every attempt
to fe,ter your consciences, or smother your
public schools, or exlinguish your system Of
public ins,ruct zion.
call upon you, mothers; by that which new
er fails in woman, the love Of your offspring;
teach them, as they climb your knees or lean
on your boso'ns, the blessings of liberty. Swear
them at he altar, as with their bap,ismal vows,
to be true to their country, and never to forge.
or forsake her.
call upon you, young men, 10 remember
whose sons you. are; whose inheritance you pos
sess. Life can never be 100 shorI, which brings
nothing but disgrace and oppression. Death
never comes too soon If necessary in the de-
fence OF the liberties Of your country
l call upon you, old men, for your counsels,
and your prayers, and your benedic,ions. May
not your grey hairs go down in sorrow, to the
grave with the recollection that you have liv-
ed in vain. May not your las, sun sink in the
West upon nation Of slaves.
Mol read in the destiny of my country far