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


affiuerce. We acknowledge no distinctions ex'
cept those which spring from talents, from inaus'
try and integrity. 1t is true that IN other coun'
tries there have been many individual cases IN
which men have risen from the lowest 10 ths
highest rank Of society. This IS the excepuon,
not the rule Among all the nations OF the OH
world, the mass of mankind can by no ehort. oy
no exertion, rise above the condition 10 which
they we're born. The most unwearleu Toll can
accomplish little more than minister 10 their
mere animal wants.
Blu, it is not the poorer classes alone who are
nov regarding us with interest. There is at
present no strong feeling Of security any where
in Europe. That portion Of the globe IS no"
vast magazine OF gunpowder, and an incautious
hand NAV a, any time apply the spark which VIII
produce the explosion. general war Is new
table, though 1t may be delayed. Indeed am
convinced, that without a single exception, ali
the Governments desire to preserve peace ana
will preserve it as long as IT is possible. sun
they IRE all armed and ready for the battle. Fate
controlled the gods OF the ancients, and there Is
now an az tive principle every where in operation,
which will control the conduct and th~art the
pu rposes of the sovereigns OF the earth. This
war, when it shall come, will be contest Tor
principle, bet cen the divine right Of kings aud
human liberty between despo,ism and freedom.
Every man OF reflection In Europe, feels that
this is true picture. History has taught them
that a successful revolution even 10 favor OF
righteous cause. brings much bloodshed and mis-.
ery in its train. They know that 10 the approach
ino contest there can be neutrals 1t is these
considerations which have directed the eager gaze
of millions in the old world. uron our country.
This is the true reason why Of late we have at
tracted 50 much more attention in Europe, than
we did iu former years. May we know how TO
Apr eria,e Justly the blessings which We enjoy,
and to cherish that liberty which is our best secu.
rity!
Our countrvmen are not viewed with jealousy
any where. Every where to be an American
citizen, is the best travelling passport And
why! Because our countrymen abroad have SUI
ficent discretion not to make themselves loud
and noisy prUpagandists. Our best and surest
mode Of extending the blessings OF liberty through.
out the world will be found in the silent but pow
erful influence of our example. To attack the
institutions Of other countries only bege's opPo'
sition and jealousy against our own. We are
indebted for this discretion Of our countrymen
abroad to the wise policy of the father OF his
country, which has since been steadily pursued
bv most Of his successors. 10 preserve the
strictest neutrality in the wars between other ma
Germs, nor suffer them to interfere in Ours-to
leave each people to establish and maintain such
governments as they think Proper-to acknowl.
edge all established governments,-thss'a are he
deep foundations on which our foreign policy
has rested; and our history has established its
wisdom.
am not one of those who believe in disinter-
ested friendship between nations Interest IS
more or less at the foundation Of all their attach
ments. The interests of Russia and the United
States can never come into collision. Our com
mercial relations have therefore ever been OF the
most amicable character, and equally advanta-
geous to both parties. These circumstances have
given birth to kindly feelings on their part which
have now become habitual. We all remember
that short time after the declaration OF the late
war with England, the Emperor Alexander offer
ed himself as a mediator. 1t was then believed
that we could not, single handed, sustain an
equal contest with the most powerful nation in
the world. 1t could not then have been FORE
seen, at least 10 Russia, that we should come out
Of the war with glory, and that the valOr Of our
sons both on the land and on the water, would
acquire Us a character among the nations such as
we never had enjoyed before. 1t was in the hour
when our prospects were the most gloomy, that
the Emperor Alexander interposed. Since that
time the friendship Of the Russian government has
been invarIable. The present Emperor has in.
herited from his brother feelings Of kindness to.
wards Us as Q nation, and they have been more
than once displayed In his conduct upon impor.
tant occasions. The American Vice Consul at
Cronstadt related to me an anecdote so strongly
Illustrative Of the indulgence with which our
counirymen are treated in Russia, that shall
take the liberty ofrepeating il. Constradt is the
port Of st. Petersburg and there the Notifications
exist b, which the capital OF the Empire must be
defended. Ii is therefore a town under the
strctest military government. Yet our sailors
are permitted, the 4th Of July, to 60 ashore in
body, to display the stars and the stripes OF our
country, to march through the streets with drums
beating and flies playing, and TO raise the nation
al shout on the anniversary of the day when we
became free and independent people.
But il is not in Russia alone, that the charac.
ter of country i, highly appreciated. The
same respect for US is entertained every where.
We never can, we never ought to be Indifferent
10 the rank which we occupy IN the society Of
nations. Never was there sounder maxim Of
policy, nor purer principle Of justice. than that
,nnnu cd In tho vorId he MIR nrpSpnt Chief Ma