Southern telegraph., 1838-08-22
OUR COUNTRY.

The subjects that engage human atten'
ton, constitute numerous class. They
are scattered over WIDE field, whose boun-
daries are perpetually enlarging, and whose
beauties are continually increasing. They
are adapted to all tastes-they are suited to
all orders of minds. Here, the humble me-
ehanio faay tread with as free a step and as
high brow as the dignifed philosopher.
Through the lofty portals, that open upon
this field, each one may enter and find ii
rich entertainment.
Among the subjects that belong to the
sphere of our intelligence, the political his
tory of our race occupies no inferior place.
Few things are of more interest. 1t is not
confined within the narrow limits of two or
three centuries, but extends over the whole
past. Itpresents man in every variety OF
situation. Now, we behold him in the pos
session Of all his noble rights-his preroga-
tives acknowledged, and his freedom undis-
turbed. Then, we see him crouching like
subdued animal, before his oppressors,
drinking the bitter Cap of slavery, and de-
MED those invaluable blessings that give TO
the present all its cheerfulness, and to the
future all its hopes. AT one time, we
view him crushed beneath the triumphal car
ofambition at another, shut up in the gloom
of the dungeon, and breathing upon its walls
the faint prayer of liberty--at another,
blessed with restoration of his natural priv
ileges, and reposing in the shade Of "ais Otrn
rine and fig tree" In all these conditions
there is something to please and improve u.s.
Whatever be our station and character, we
shall there gather something of importance
If we be christians, we shall in perusing the
political history of man, discover the con-
slant workings ofthat Providence, which has
never, fora moment, abandoned the earth
that Providence, which has been unceasing-
ly employed in bringing light out of dark
ness, and Joy out Of sorrow. If we be
statesmen, we shall here meet with much to
expand our knowledge, and be enabled to
see the operations of those systems under
which man has lived.
The progress of man towards political
perfection, has been slow and unsteady
Every thing, in this world, bears the stamp
Of imperfection. 1t appeals to our observa-
ton, on every side. tits property of the
mind, and hence is communicated 10 all that
proceeds from it. Particularly does this
observation apply to the science of govern
ment. Through how many ages were false
ideas entertained on this subject! For what
space Of time were the rights of the gov.
ernor and the governed misunderstood, and
how painful is the conviction, that for cen.
tures, our race endured multiplied horrors
on this account! Happily for humanity a
brighter day has dawned. The pillars Of
oppression have fallen in different countries;
the sceptre of tyrany has been broken and
buried in tho dust--the chains, that were
once worn by bleeding people, have been
shaken off by the power of innocence and
justice. The present century finds man, in
his political character, an improved being
standing upon an eminence which it reqnir.
ed ages Of toll and efforts ofperseyerance tc
! reach.
TIE establishment of American institu
tions, formed an era in the political history
of man. Ii turned the tide of events, and
directed it in "a new channel. Though a
solitary occurrence in itself, it has probably
done more for our race, than any thing of a
like character. Every thing that could have
conspired TO give this event importance and
notorety did conspire to produce this effect,
Previous end attendant circumstances uni
ted to call universal attention TO it, and
spread its powerful leaven through the en-
tire mass of society Who was then the
foe, against whose tyranny our country con
tended? An obscure and feeble nation, en-
ervated by corruption, without courage and
determination! Was it such a nation? No
American resistance was directed against
the mightiest people on the globe England
whose arm had never known weakness, and
whose brow was covered with laurels, gath
cred on her numerous battle-fields--Eng-
land with strong navy and celebrated ar
my--she was our enemy. And what were
we? Small in our population, limited in
our resources, undisciplined and unprepar.
ed. Such contest was calculated to ex.
cite observation and sympathy, and 10 ac.
complsh those great and general purposes
| for which patriots bleed and die.
No period could have been more fortunate
for such an event, than the one at which il
occurred. Providence always seems tc
have an eye to time, and especially in thi;
instance, does it appear TO have been con.
sidered Had taken place earlier or later
its glorious results would have been partial
ly counteracted. Happening at the time il
did, when the public mind and feeling were
in ripened state, itmade firmer graspup
on opinion, and entwined itself more close.
| ly round the sympathies of our race.
Whatever modification ofa popular gov
ernment had existed prior to that period
there had never been framed such politi'
cal system. The materials, it is true, were
to be found before--principles Of a similar
character had been professed on the other
side of the Atlantic by few, but they had
never been embodied into such form. Tha
temple Of liberty. which our gallant father;
| raised on the soilof the western hemisphere