The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-14

$3.50 49, ANVIL VI EOl-i i I'D.
or al the systems Of civil government, there is
none which SO equally and generally distributes
liberty and happiness as republic Established on
the broad fundamental principle thar all men are
equal by right and nature, both with regard 10 legis-
lalion and protection, i recognizes no Tiled orders,
while II huds out 10 all honorable and well directed
exertions its reward. The people are their own
law makers, and all the Offices Of government are
dispensed by their free franchise. Accordingly IL
we examine the history and condition Of our coun-
try we will already instances OF human charae-
ter and stale Of human happiness, unsurpassed in
the chronicles OF the world A mighty nation whose
power and prosperity excite the envy OF the proudes
empires, has sprung up as II BY a miracle, on our
shores, and ascending To her proud seal oi destiny
like that star which heralded The advent of worlds
Redeemer Is hailec by all the people OF the earth
with rejoicing, and by its light they seek for the
"land OF PROMISE" where the oppressed can find an
asylum Of peace. All classes enjoying the bless
ings which liberty OF opinion and action when
governed by virluous conscience. We see men by
the force Of their own genius and energy from the
dark Wales and morasses OF obscurity, boldly direct
ing their footsteps to that towering height where
James proud temple shines affair." Ia their upward
path, they encounter no hereditary lordlings, and
privileged ORDERS 10 dispute their right TO the at
lainmenl OF their aspirations. Who are the men
who have become distinguished In the departments
OF politics, letters and the arts, In this county
Were they The pampeTed sons OF opulence and
luxury-do they date their greatness from some
achievements OF their deceased ancestry No; they
are men who thank only heaven for the rewards Of
noble enterprise. Who are The Two most distin-
gushed orators OF our country, The Pit and The Fox
OF our Senaie1 They are men who, like their own
dear country have arisen from obscurity I'LL they
can cope with The most powerful Of the earth. And
who are those whose ingenuity has contributed so
much IN mechanical discovery to the honor q our
country and the improvement of the world 2 men
who were originally humble artizans. And who are
those whose genius and benrvolence peryade the
civilized world Many Of the most illnslrious can
like Napoleon Bonaparte, when asked whence his
nobility dated point TO the epoch OF their own sue
cessful effort There Is no place under our govern
ment 10 which the humblest Of It's constituents can
not aspire, none beyond the reach Of perseyering
and exalted ambition and hence there is none better
adapted TO develope the capacities and secure the
utmost moral and intellectual advancement of the
people than our own tree and happy land.
But If the privileges Of this form of government
transcend those OF any other the obligations Of the
people 70 mat government and themselves are great
e man IN any other. Here for all abuses of GO
Vernment, and all errors Of policy the people them
selves, being The source Of power, are responsible
Ihey cannot as may the inhabitants of less favored
lands blame their arbitrary rulers for the perversion
OF authority but must attribute their own apathy
folly ignorance and creduity any serious derangc-
ment Of the public happiness and prosperity
Next to virtue Of principles, intelligence Of judg-
mont Is necessary Tor the preservation Of Legislative
purity; since we find ignorance and superstition
hand in hand, cropping their way through the dark
cells Of despotism, and as knowledge becomes the
more generally di1used, they shrink like the prowl-
ing beasts Of night back to their lairs before the ad-
vancng light.
When the people are TO decide by what and by
whom they shall be governed, il is absolutely
sary, in order that justice may be secured that they
acGuaint themselves thoroughly and imparaly
with the merits of every question and every candi-
date presented for their suffrage BY the simple act
of depositing his ballot freeman may be voting
away his own and his children's liberty. In the
political as well as the moral and material world,
slight causes are often the germs Of the most mo-
mentons consequences, and single vote upon a
single question, may save subvert the Union II
is duty we owe to those who by such sufIeTings
and valor gained our independence--il is duty we
owe to the cause Of republican liberty and mankind
throughout The world canvass fairly and dispas-
sonaley the merits Of every public matter and when
we have satisfied ourselves that we have ascertain
ed the right, il is but an act Of patriotism humanity
and duty 10 oppose the wrong without fear The
study Of politics. involving il does such vital in
terests in land like ours, is the nobles for human
intellect and although there is much in the conten-
ton Of discoriant and clashing factions to disgust
men Of refined and digniiied feeling, yet there is
none having higher claims or promising more USE
fulGeSs than What has been too long considered by
the people, who should be the guardians Of their
own liberties, the special business OF demagogues
who have thus been enabled to exali themselves to
stali MS, which should never be conferred except
the rewards Of merit, and which, when acquired
fairly such meaps from an intelligent and ndepend-
ent people, are to be more highly appreciated than
the most splendid brthright OF royalty