The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1828-05-29


formed which could have SO conceived
OF this "Analysis"--is not that OF a fery
temperament, conscious OF going beyond
the limits of prudence, Of writer aware
that he is exposing himself to the conse-
quence Of an OK officio prosecution, that a
libel law exposes him to Imprisonment
sedition.law to transportation, for doing
less than his duty i, is no. that of mind
ripcned in thought. yet bowed down in spi.
Iit, trucking to party, or bending to preju-
dice, in nearly all its expressions and posi-
tlons;--it is not that Of q busting writer
hunting after vulgar popularity, combating
one error by another, but careful never IL
be committed to any great interest Of hu-
manity. The tone Of DIR. Charming has
the calmness Of security, the earnestness
OF philanthropic integrity, the chastised
confidence Of intelligence ripened into wis
dom--it is that of a mind which fears moth
ing but error, suppresses nothing but the
promptings of ofinconsldcrate feeling desires
nothing but the good OF its kind. @ We
lhe says) would devote ourselves TO the
cause of prudence and humanity; but ma
tons (he adds have seemed to court ag
gresslon and bondage, by their stupid, in
sane admiration Of successful tyrants The
wrongs, from which men have suffered
most, in body and mind, are yet unpunish
ed. True, Christianity has put into our
lips censures on the aspiring and the usurp.
ing. But these reproaches are as yet lit
tie more than sounds, and unmoaning COM
mon places. They are repeated for forms
sake. When we read or hear them, we
feel that they want depth and strength.
They are not irs:ard, solemn, burning con.
victions, breaking from the indignant soul
with tone Of reality, before which guilt
wonld cover. The true moral feeling in
regard to the crimes Of public men is al
most to be created. We believe, then, that
such character as Bonaparte's is formed
with very little consciousness Of its turpi-
tude;and society, which contributes so much
TO its growth, is responsible for its cxs
tence, and merits in part the misery which
1t spreads"
DR.. Charming has certainly done much
IN this Analysis, to create that right tone
OF moral feeling, which il here truly stated
10 be very important TO man. Up to our
own times, history has occupied itself chief.
ly with the fortunes of Princes, as if the
world, and humanity also, had been created
for them alone rs if all interests had con
centered in their persons, and as If thought
feeling, talent, genius, were nothing, eX-
cept in so far as enlisted in their service,
and ministcring AS, to the disgrace Of the
species, has too often been done--to their
depraved appetites and distempered pas
slons. This is preemnenty the fault of
our gifted countryman, Sir Walter Scott
who ID, however, respectfully treated by
his American critic. But the time is at
hand when this mischievous hsllucnation
will be utterly dispelled when no powers
OF Imagination or expression will be able to
make history, biography. or any other sort
Of writing, east upon this principle. endura-
BILE; when society, grows wise by suffering,
and ceasing TO be dazzled by mere talent,
will anxlously inquire whether the individ.
uals who claim notice give their heart and
their time to every good cause, because il
is philanthropic; or, whether they wait for
the season when, by dexterously thrustng
themselves forward, they may seem to rem
dor triumphant that cause which had been
previously won by the unwearled but un
ostentatious labours Of others? The first |
question then put respecting any public |
man, will be-tias he, what our AutLor |
says Napoleon wanted, "the sentiment of
common nature with his fellow beings?"-
for this being the foundation on which must
b. raised all that is truly great is every.
thing.
We have still much need to remember in
Europe, what DR.. Claiming tells us here
that "there are different orders Of great
ness. Among these, the first rank is un.
questonably due to moral greatness, or
magnanimity; to that sublime energy by
which the soul. su bdued by the love ofvr-
tue, binds itself indissolubly, for life and
for death, TO truth and duty; espouses as
its own tho interests Of human nature !;
scorns all meanness, and defies all peril
hears in its own conscience voice louder
than thrtatenngs and thunders; withstands
all the powers ofthe universe, which would
sever it from the cause Of freedom, virtue,
and religions; reposes an unfalterng trust
in God in the darkest hour, and is ever
ready to be offered up on the altar Of its
country or of mankind. Ofthis moral great
ness, which throws all other forms of great
ness into obsc urity, we see not trace or
spark in Napoleon. Though clothed with
the power Of God, the thought Of conse-
Grating himselfto the introduction of new
and higher era-the exaltation of the cha
racter and condition Of his race-secms ne
yer TO have dawned on his mind. The spi-
rit Of disnterestedncss and self sacrifice
appears not to have waged moments war
with self will and ambition His ruling
passions, indeed, were sngularly at vari.
nnce with magnanimity. Moral greatness
has too much simplicity, is too unostenta-
tious, too self.subsistent, and enters into
others interests with too much heartiness,
to live a day for wha, Napoleon always llv.
ed, To make itself the theme, and gaze, and