Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-03-16

and, while the yalor and fortitnde of our pco-
pie have removed far from US the slightest np-
prchehsion oi foreign power; they have not
yet induced lis, in single instance TO forget
what is light.
Our commerce has been extended to the
remotest nations; the value, and even nature,
Of our productions have been greatly chang
ed wide difference has arisen in the rcla-
tive wealth and resources Of every portion of
our country; yet the spirit of mutual regard
and Of faithful adherence to existing com.
pocts has continued to prevail in our councils,
and never long been absent from our conduct.
We have learned by experience n fruitful
lesson; that an implicit and undertaking ad-
hercnce to the principles on which we set out,
can carry us prcsperously onward through all
the conflicts Of circumstances and the vics-
STUDIES inseparable from the lapse of years.
The success that has thus far attended our
great experiment, is, in itself sufficient
cause tor gratitude, on account Of the hap
pness it has actually conferred, and the OK
ample it has unanswerably given. But TO me-
my fellow citizens, looking forward TO the far
distant iuture,w ardent prayers and coniid-
ing hopes, this retrospect presents ground
for still deeper delight. 1t impresscs upon
my mind firm belief that the perpetuity of
our institutions depends upon ourselves; that
if we maintain the principles on which they
were established they are destined to confer
their benefits on countless generations yet to
conc; and that America will present TO every
friend Of mankind the cheering proof, that
popular Government wisely formed, IL want
ing in no element of endurance or strength.
Fifty years ago, its rapid failure was bold
ly predicted. Latent and uncomfortable
causes Of dissolution were supposed to exist,
even by the wise and good; and not only did
unfriendly and speculative theorists nntici-
pate for US the fate of past republics, but the
fear Of many an honest patriot ovcrbalanced
his sanguinc hopes. Look back on these fore
bodings, and hastily but reluctantly made. and
sec how, in every instance, they have com
petely failed.
An imperfect experience, during the strug-
giles of the revolution, was supposed to war
rant q belief that tho people would not bear
the taxation requisite to discharge an i'm
mense public debt already incurred, and TO
deiray the necessary expenses OF the Govern
ment. The cost of two wars has been paid,
not only without q murmur, but with unequal
led alacrity. No one is now left 10 doubt
that every burden will be cheerfnly borne
that may be necessary TO our civil institutions,
or guard our honor or welfare. Indeed, all
experience has shown that the Willingness OF
the people to contribute to these ends IN ca
ses of emergency, has uniformly outrun the
confidence Of their representatives.
In the early stages Of the new Government,
when all felt the imposing influence, as they
recognized the unequaled services OF the
first President, it was common sentiment
that the great weight of his character could
alone bind the discordant materials of our
Government together, and save Us from the
violence OF contending factions. Since his
eath,neary forty years are gone. Party eXag-
geration has been often carried TO its highest
point the virtue and the fortltude oi the peo-
pie have sometimes been greatly tried; yet
our system, purified md enhanced in value
by all it has encountered, still preserves It's
spirit of free and fearless discussion, blended
with unimpaired tratcrnal feeling.
The capacity Of the people for self govern
ment, and their willingness, from high sense
of duty, and without those exhibitions of co.
ercive power so generally employed in othcl
countries, to submit to all needtul restraints
and exactions of the municipal law have also
been favorably cxcmplifed in the history o
the American States. Occasionally,it Is true
the ardor of public sentiment, outrunniDg the
regular progress of the judicial tribunals, OF
seeking TO reach cases not denounced as
criminal by the existing law, has displayed
itself in a manner calculated to give pain to
the friends Of free government. and to en-
courage the hopes Of those who wish for It's
overthrow. These occurrences, however,
have been far less frequent in our country
than in others of equal population on the
Globe; and with the diffusion of intelligence,
it may well be hoped that they will constant
ly diminish in frequency and violence. The
generous patriotism and sound common sense
of the great mass Of our fellow citizens vii!
assuredly, in time, produce this result; for as
every assumption Of illegal power not only
wounds the majesty Of the law, but furnishes
a pretext for abridging the liberties OF the
people, the latter have the most direct ant
permanent interest in preserving the grca
landmarks OF social order, and maintaining
Oh all occasions,the inviolabty of those con
stitutional and legal provisions which the,
themselves have made.
/ In supposed uDftness of our institution
| for those hostile emergencies,w which no coun
/ try can always avoid, their friends found
! fruitful source Of apprehension, their cnemle
/ of hope. While they toresaw less prompt
/ ness of action than in Governments different
" formed, they overlooked the far more i'm
| portant consideration that with us war coul'
/ never be the result Of individual or irrcspon
siblc will, bat must be measure Of redress
/, for injuries sustained, voluntarily rcsorted t'
/ by those who were to bear the necessary sac
rifce, who would consequently feel an lndi
yidual interest in the contest, and whose en-
crgy would be commensurate with the dlih
cultes to bo encountered. Actual events
have proved their error; the last war, far iron
impairing, gave new confidence to our TO
vermont; and amid recent apprchcnslons OF
similar conflict, we say that the energies o
our country would not be wanting in ample
season to vindicatc in its rights. We may
. Il. Iocira In