Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-07-09


/ An unknown correspondent, sends US
the following extracts. They are from
can Grafton delivered on the 4th Of Ju-
Iy, 1906, by the eloquent Payson, before
he entered upon his sacred office;" an
Grafton, Of which, though received with
unbounded applause, he would not fur
nish copy for publication.
| The sentiments here expressed, are
worthy of Patriot, and are Of peren-
nial value. As such, we have plea
sure in publishing, and inviting attention
to them:-[.N Y. american.
at seems TO be an mmutable law OF
our nature, that nations, as well as indi-
viduals, shall learn wisdom by no expe-
rience, but their own. That blind, that
accmsed infatuation, which ever appears
to govern mankind, when their most inn
portant interests are concerned, leads us
in defiance Of reason, experience, and
common sense, to flatter ourselves, that
the same causes which have proved fa-
tai to all other governments, will lose their
pernicious tendency when exerted Oh our
Opn.
\ That riyiue, both in those who COM
mand and those who obey, is absolutely
essential to the existence of republics, is
a maxim, and a most important one, in
political science. Should the period ev-
er arise, when luxury and iDtemperance
shall corrupt our towns, while ignorance
and vice pervade the country; when the
press shall become the common sescer Of
| ialsehood and SANDER; when talents and
integrity shall be no recommendation,
and OPEN DERELIcTIoN Of all principle,
no obstacle to prefermenf; when we shall
intrust our liberties 10 men with whom
we should not dare to trust our properly;
when the CHIEF seats Of honor and respon-
sibiity in our government shall be filled
by characters of whom the most malicious
ingenuity can invent nothing ,corse than
The truth; when we shall see the MEM
bers of our national councils, in def
ance, Of the laws Of God and their coun-
try, throwing away their lives in defence
of reputation, which, y they ever eristsd,
had long been lost; when the slanderers
of Washington and the blasphemers Of
our God shall be thought useful laborers
in our political viney ard; when: in fine,
we shall see our Legislators sacrificing
their senses, their oaihs, aud their con-
sciences at the altar Of PARTY; then we
may say that virtue has departed, and
the end of our liberty dra,ceih nigh.
The vessel Of our republic, driven by
the gales of faction, and hurried still fas-
| ter by the secret current Of luxury and
vice. is following the same course, and
fast approaching the same rocks which
have proved fatal to so many before us.
| Already we hear the roaring Of tho
surge; already do we begin to circle
round the vortex which is soon to en-
gulph us. Yet we see no danger. In
rain does experience Offer us the wis
dom of past ages for our direction; in
vain does the genius of history spread
her chart, and point out the ruin towards
which we are advancing; in vain do tho
ghosts of departed governments, hngcr-
ing round the rocks on which they per-
isLed, warn us Of our approaching fate,
and eagerly stire to terriiy us from our
! course.
The imperfect sketch OF our situation,
which has just been given, is no, drawn
for the sake Of indulging in idle com
plants, or querulous defamation; and
siiH less is it intended to lead 10 q con-
clusion, that our case is desperate. But
| II is intended, if there be yet remaining
one spark Of that spirit, one drop Of that
blood, which animated and warmed the
breasts Of our fathers, to rouse II to rig
orous and energetic ersrtions. IT is to the
,rdnt Of such exertions. that we must as
cribe the rapid and alarming spread OF
disorganising and demoralizing prlncl-
pies among us; and we can, in TACT,
blame none but ourselves, for the evns
we suffer.
Had we paid hay that ntten'io" TO tho
interests Of our country and the preserra-
tion Of liberty, that we have TO the calls
of indulgepc Of pleasure, OF avar'ce,
never should we have seen The sun Oh
American glory thus shorn OF his beams.
and npparenily about to set forever. "
Is true indeed that, when aroused by
some particularly interesting object, We
!. have started from our slu,nbers, and seen
The tend like form ot faction sink be-