Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-03-10

The relative wealth and resources Of eyery
norton of our country: vetthe spirit of mu-
liuol regard and OF faithful adherence TO ex-
;s,;no comnocts has continued 10 preyail in
our councils. and never long been absent
from our conduct. We have learned by ex.
perience a fruitful lesson that an implicit
and Underwriting adherence 10 the PRINCIPLES
on which we sci out. can carry us prosper
ousIv onward through all the conflicts of
circumstances. and the vicissi,udes INSOFAR
able from the lapse OF wears.
The success tina, has thus attended our
great experiment. is. in itself, sufficient
cause for gratitude. on account Of the hap.
piness i has actually conferred, aud the ex-
annie I, baa unanswerablv given. .I3m 10
me- nv fellow ci,izens, looking forward to
the fardis,ant future, with ardent prayers
and confding hopes, this retrospect presents
ground for sill deeper delight. Il i'm
presses on nv mind a firm belief that the
perpe;ui,v OF our institutions depends upon
ourselves; that, If we maintain the princi-
plcs on which they were established. they
| are destined 10 confer their benefits on
countless generations vet TO come: andihni
America will present 10 every friend Of
mankind the cheering proof, that popular
Government wisely formed, is wanting in
no element OF endurance or strength.
Fifty years ago, its rapid failure was bold
| ly predicted. Latent and uncontro'iaole
causes OF dissolution were supposed 10 exist
even BY the wise and good and MOI only
did unlrlendly OF speculative theorists aniici-
pate for US the fate OF past republics, but the
fears OF many an honest patriot cverbaianced
his sanguine hopes. Look back on these
iorebodings, not hastily, butreluctantiy made,
and see how, IN every instance, tney have
completely failed.
! An imperfect experience, during the strug'
gle Of the revolu.lon, was supposed 70 war
rant belief that the people would notAeear
the taxation requisite to discharges an nm
mense public debt already incurred, ana 10
defray the necessary expenses ofthe Govern
menl The cost OF two wars has been PAID
not only without murmur. but with hne-
qualed aiacri,y. No one is now leitto doubt
that every burden will be cheerfully borne 10
sustain our civil institutions. or guard our
honor or our welfare Indeed, all expert
ence has shown that the Willingness OF the
people TO contribute TO these ends in cases OF
emergency. has uniformly outrun the conf
dence OF their representatives.
! In the early stages OF the new Govern
ment, when all felt the imposing influence,
las they recognized the unequalled services
of the first President, il was u common SEN
Itiment that the great weight Of his character
could alone bind the discordant materials Of
our Govermen, together. and save us from
the violence Of eon,ending factions. Since
his death, nearly forty years are gone. Par.
lty evaporation has been often carried TO its
| highest point; the virtue and the fortiiude Of
the people have sometimes been greatIytried;
! vet our system. purified and enhanced in
value by all il has encountered, sin pre-
serves its spirit OF free and fearless discussion.
blended with unimpnired fraiernal feeling.
The capacity Of the people for selfgoyem.
ment, and their willingness, from a high
sense Of duty, and without those exhibitions
Of coercive power so generally employed 10
other countries. to submit 10 all needful re-
straints and exactions OF the municipal law,
have also been exemplifed in the history Of
the American States. Occasionally. il is
true the ardor Of public sentiment, outrun.
ming the regular progress Of the Judicial ri.
bunals, or seeking TO reach causes not de-
nounced as criminal by the existing law. has
displayed itself in a manner calculated TO
give pain to the friends Of free government,
and TO encourage the hopes Of those who
wish for ilsovenhrow. These occurrences,
however, have been far less frequent in our
country than in any other of equal popula-
ton on the globe; and with the diffusion Of
intelligence. il may well be hoped that. they
will constantly diminish in frequency and