Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-02-16

peace. Freedom, chastened by virtu-
Gus intelligence, is peace. Our COM
munity are too enlightened to be hastily
driven into war, should our rulers even
desire it. The people would not easily
consent to plunge themselves into a ca
lamity so desolating. Independent and
individual judgment would be exercised
on the question, and every man world
feel that he had rig to his opinion, and
TO be heard with candor. The innuerceI
of political leaders in this nation is les
scning land men are exercising their own
powers and intelligence. The OPINIONS
of two men" have principally governed
us heretofore; but the influence of lead
ers is diminishing and must continue to
diminish from the increasing ability ofthe
people to think for themselves, and to act
correctly. Our free institutions are ia
vorable to peace, and to individual hap
piness. Under their influence, men are
acquiring property, and educating their
children to become useful citizens. On
the question of war, each man will in
qure, will it increase my own felicity, or
the nations prosperity? The immediate
reply must be, No!--War hardens the
heart, and banishcs the finer feelings of
domestic peace. War is expensive, and
men who have industriously acquired
property, will choose to spend 1t in their
but they ask not their rulers to direct
their expenses; nor will they submit to
the imposition Of useless burdens, not de-
manded by the public good. In the e.
vent of wal, the minority have their rights,
s. they would speak in righteous cause,
with a voice that could not but be heard
through our Continent. How was it in
the last war? There was, it is true, a
majority for the measure; but there was
also an imposing minority against it; and
this minority protested against and avoi-
ded its evils with strength. We have
nothing to gain by war, but much to lose.
1t has been said, that Republics are
disposed to war, and the old Republics are
adduced in proof. But there is a wide
difference between them and us. They
were without instruction and without in
dustry /; hungry populace, compara-
lively slaves, desiring to be fed from the
public treasury. They were small states,
sometimes of but one city, and easily led
by demagogues. We are not so. We
have on extent ofterritory, reaching from
the Gulf Of st. Lawrence to that Of Mex
leo. Our federal government is large,
and established on liberal principles, Sc
curing general interests. We have also,
for all minor purposes, the local authori-
ties oftwenty-four sovereign States. We
are friends maintaining social and un-
restrained intercourse; and we have not
within our borders the seeds of war
Union we know to be strength, and peace
is our pursuit.
Some have said, We want the Cana
das. Sir, we do not want them. We
would have no objection to their volunta-
ry union with us; but we would have
them in no other way. Our statesmen
have no disposition for war; we have not
the materials, which we desire to waste in
its distinctions. Our freedom makes us
feel our individual dignity. Our citizens
are not slaves,th mere tools of despot,
comparable to powder and to bullets
We look with adherence on the wanton
destruction Of our species, and we cannot
be easily persuaded to the butchery. The
discipline and the customs of camp are
the confines Of slave. What is the lib
crty Of a soldier? He is tortured under
an iron discipline. In the case of an Of
fence, how is he tried? Not by jury
of his peers, but by the stern rulers of a
court martial We have, as a people,
too much sclfrespect unnecessarily to en-
ter the camp.
If we look abroad over Europe, we
see at once that war is becoming the
dread of the nations. We all remember
the sensation with which the three days
revolution in France was received in our
city. War, it was said by our politicians,
must follow. The French, lovers Of mil
itary excitement and national glory, will
now pursue the passion. But war has
not followed. Though the national church
OF France, and all the friends of legiti-I
macy, were opposed to the Revolution,
such was the love of order among the
men Of influence and Of political wisdom,
that peace has been sustained This.
was not from the influence Of the new
king of France, but from the force ofen-
lghtened public opinion. Legitimatcsl
love war for conquest; but they see it's
operations are adverse to their claims;
they see that the spirit of flibcry is spread
ing; and they have enough to do at home,
to guard their own limits and sovereign
ty. 1t is now in vain to expect the world
to 60 back. 1t has been improving three
or four ages, and men will not 60 back
to ancient follies and superstitions. New
forms of society are starting into exist