Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-02-17

lighting up the torches Of diseord throughout
the community. Their FRS, principle Of action
Is 10 !eave their own affairs, and neglect their
own duties, to regulate the affairs and the du.
ties OF others. Theirs is the task to feed The
hungry, and clohe the naked, Of other lands,
while they thrust the naked, famished, and shi.
vering beggar from their own doors;-,o In.
s'ruct The heather, while their own children
want The bread OF life When this shirt in
fuses itself into the bosom of a statesman. (if
one so possessed can he called s,a,esman.) i,
converts him at once into visionary .nthusi.
asst. Then II is, that he INDUCES in golden
dreams OF national greatness and prosperity
he discovers that liberty is power" and no,
content with vast schemes of imp ovemeni at
home, which 1t would bankrupt the treasury of
the world 10 execute, he flies to foreign lands,
10 fulfil obligations to the human race" by
inculca'ins The principles Of political and re-
ligious liberty" and promoting The general
welfare OF the whole human race. | is Spi-
III which has long been busy with the SLAVES of
fhe Nouih, and Is even now displaying itself in
vain efforts TO dcive the Government from its
wise policy in relation TO The INDIANS. 1, is
this spirit which has filled the land with thou,
sands OF wild and visionary projects, which can
have no eject but to waste the energies and
dissi pate the resources of the country. II is
The spirit. OF which the aspiring politician dex-
terously ayails himself, when, by inscribing on
his banner he magical words LIBERTY AND PHI
LANTHRoPY, he draws to his support that entire
class n persons who are ready 10 bow down al
the very names of their idols.
But, sir, whatever difference Of opinion may
exist as 10 the effect Of slavery on national
wealth and prosperity, if may trust TO
experience there can be no doubt that it has
never vet produced any injurious effec, on in
dividual or national character. Look through
| the whole history OF the country, from The com
me ace men, dr,he Revolution down TO the pre-
sent hour; where are there 10 be found bright,
er examples Of intellectual and moral great
ness than have been exhibited by the sons vi
the South From the FATHER OF HIS CouN-
TRY, down 10 The DIsTINGuIsHEp CHlsFTAIN
who has beer elevated ny grateful people, to
he hgh.>, Office in heir gif' the in,er'a is I'll
led up by long line of orators, Of statesmen
! and of heroes, Justly entitled 10 rank amopg the
ornaments Of their country, and the benefac
! toIs Of mankind. Look at she Old DomlD-
Iou," great and magnanimous Virginia. whose
! Jewels are her sous" Is there any state In
| his Union which has contributed SO muCa I"
/ the honor md welfare Of The county! Sill,
Will yield The wnuie question: viii ackhow-
ledge The fatal effects Of slavery upon character,
if any one an deny, that for noble dienleresied-
ness ardeu' love Ut country, 'xa'ted virtue, aud
q, pure and holy devotion 10 liberty, the people
OF Ih- ) u'hern ) ates have ever been surpass-
ID by any in the world. | know, sir, that this
devotion TO liberty has sometimes been suppo-
srd 10 be al war win our institutions: but Il
is in some degree the result OF those very in
stu,ions Burke, the most philosophical Of
Statesmen, as he was he most accomplished
of orators, well understood the operation ot
this principle, in eievating the sentiment and
exal,ing he prime plies oil he people In slaves
holding STATES. l viii conclude my remarks
on ,hi, branch of the subject, bv reading few
passages from his speech " on moving his re-
solutions for conclusion with the Colonies,
the 22d of March, l77S.
"There is circumstance attending the Southern
Colonies which makes the spirit OF berty still more
! high and naughty than in tn sc to the Norhwsrd II
L. that in Virginia and the Carolnas they have vd'f
multitude si0reS. Where this IS the III any part
the world, those who free are by far the most
proud and jealous of their feedom Freedom is to
them not only enjoyment. but kind OF rank and
privilege. Not seeing that, as in countries where 1t
is common blessing, snd as broad ard general as the
! sir, ii nay be untcl Sith much abJect to''' WIN
great misery, with all the exterior of scrvude, liberty
looks among them like something that Is more 10 dc Kill
beral do not mean, sir, u commend the superior
morality this sentiment, which has a, least ss much
of pride As virtue it but cannot alter the nature
of man The fact is So and these people OF the South
ern Iolones are much more strongly and with hish-
er ani more stub spirit attached 10 liberty than
those TO the North are. Such were all the ancien,
commonw ealths-such were our Gc'h!c ancr.;o rs-
such in our DAYS were the Dole, and suct UN be oil
masters of slares ho not SLAVE, themselves IN such
a People the hsughtiness ofdomn ,un combines WIN
the spir.l of freedom, fores it, and renders nv'"e'-
Die"
1sPEECR TO cONTISrgp