Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-10-31


II We turn from this sad. picture Of
corruption TO our domestic affairs, we
find brighter prospect, but still enough
for apprehension. Here during that
dark period, when gloomy spirit settled
over the nation, and anarchy linked
with despotism appeared TO be fast hur-
ying onward TO supremacy, occasional
bright but transient flashes cleaned amid
the'ohaos, until at last the hampered
eagle Of liberty snapped asunder the
chains that bound her in the dust, and
rose once more to her native element -
From that proud period io our annals,
the pure current Of Wing democracy has
flowed onward with u steady stream. -
The popular branch OF our Legislature
has been reformed a sagacious and
sterling democrat, uniting the energy
Of manhood with the wisdom Of age, and
expressing more vividly, perhaps, than
any living being, the spirit and genius
Of our people, has been placed at the
helm Of state to guide us through the
storm and, under the blessing Of Provi-
dence, our emancipation will shortly be
achieved by the determination Of tho
last remnant Of faction from the Senate.
But with that fertility Of resource which
IL the peculiar trait Of low cunning, and
with that desperation which always marks
a sinking cause, opponents have here
created local question, from which, il
we are trne to the character and posi-
ton Of our state, we will never shrink.
Unmindful that Of The forty million
debt which they have so pompously pa
raJed before the public view, at lensi
thirty three millions have been auihori.
ged by their party forgeiful that during
a period Of l3 years they have coniinu-
ously advised nm unnecessary recourse
TO direct taxation, they now turn upon
their steps, unblushingly retrace their
course, and proclaim that State bank
ruptcy is to be avoided only by ares,ing
the prose cution Of our internal improve
ments. Upon this ground l,t us fear
lessly meet them at the polls, aud at the
snme time rebuke their Inconsistency,
and that want Of patriotism which would
elevate party upon the ruins Of the Stale.
Those magnificent and gigantic public
works which have made New J ork What
she is those streams Of wealth which
concentrated the riches Of the West
npon whose margins cities have sprung
up from the wilderness and solitude been
enlivened with the busy hum of a new
population, cannot, must mol be sacrificed
to the selishness Of party. Their sue
cess is their own vindication, and they
need none other. That forlorn hope of
Locofoc oism which, from want of other
objects Of complaint, has dared to tread
upon this sacred soil, must be shown
they have Proceeded too far, and that
the people will rise to man in opposi
ton to the contemplated sacrilege.
Rely on it, this attempt must recoil upon
its authors, and raise up for us host of
new defenders for the body polite, like
that tree which puts forth a shoot a,
every bruised spot and protrudes new
and vigorous branch at every wound.
Such are some Of the most important
questions presented for your actioa al
the approaching election. From their
consideration you will readily perceive
that selfshDess is the sure fruit Of an ar
bitrary government that, as has been
Justly observed, professions and cores
ponding actions are not always compan-
ions, and they who most loudly clamor
for liberty, do not most literally grant il.
The maintenance Of reciprocal liberty
is unknown in the creed Of our oppo-
nents, requiring as they do arbitrary
power for themselves, and oppression
for the people. Thus those arrog ating
the sacred name of democracy set her
principles AT defiance, while fighting un-
der the folds OF the Wing banner, we
must rest contented with Just and sue.
cessful vindication of those principles
How long this singular contest is to en-
dure, cannot be predicted. We have
within our own borders much toward its
prosperous issue our own state has long
stood in the breach and manGully repcl.
led the storm. When we have thus far
maintained our ground under repeated
assaults, we should not now be discoura-
ged by those temporary reverses which
have occurred elsewhere. True patriot
ism is patient, enduring, and confident :;
and though there be now clouds in the
political horizon, the sun of New York
If che preserves her brightness, must
soon dispel them all with her meridian
efulgence. Liberty requires perpetual
exerions for her preservation, and no
man must faint in the heat of her repea-
ted conflicts.
We are struggling in great and good
cause, are inspired with high motives,
and deserve that success which honest
patriotism, if true TO ITSELF can always
win with an enlightened people. We
have the principles, and as Wings, the
name Of democracy we are contend
ing for our commercial prosperity, for
the laws, the constitution and the pre-
servation Of our republican institutions,
aud know that, whatever may be the
event, sure reward exists in our con-
sciences. At other periods, and in dar-
ker hours, those generous and magnsni-
nous men, who, with heroic virtue, have
Tough the battles Of freedom, have never
been appalled, but that enthusiasm
which spIings only from pure motives
md from great principles, has clothed
them with power and foriitude fatal