The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1840-10-01

...e sfier IL; but they are nntufaliy lgn0fanf
sIihs Ifse nature and place Oft"
IfPalriolism were lhe sustaining prin-
chile or action in The ancient renowned
s,ies. which long ago beesme extinct. Il
i natural 20 think that any nation Of mo-
dern times gill decline Is speedily As
,hsy, which depends upon . principle
no higher ihan theirs. live should adj
mil that no people can be great. and con.
lnue, without true patriotism; il We fur
her allow lha, 10 possess il would be 70
have our national condition in degree
improved. Il would remain for Us still to
ask, whether or not. The elevation Of il
alone would be sufficient Would the
stability il can give. be adequate and &C.
eurei
Looking Al the beginnings Of The older
states Of the world. We should say. that
with unity Of character and purpose, d.
mos, any people might become a great
nalioa. Bui greatness once acquired, 10
with difficulty preserved. IL is harder
% preserve distinguished political eleya-
don Than TO gain il. The single Princi-
Ile Of patriotism may bear up people
struggling for due eminence. better Than
il can sustain The nation alier their sicto-
fies are glined. 10 no oher circumslan-
ees Of . country. il The iri.l Of patriotism
so great, as il the season Of prosperity
and triumph. Il is common 10 speak Of
The period Of our Revolution as "ihe
lime which tried mems souls" but i
nay be questioned whether il were Peeu-
larry so. It's not natural that he should
be lhievish who has few allurements
uOsnd him. nor for him 20 fall into any
vice, who has much business pressing
on bis hands. So in The struggle for i
berry. (be il said with reverence 10 the
fathers Of the republic there was 100 liz.
ile 10 tempt, and too great demand for
activity and devotion, 10 have allowed Of
the advancement Of selfshness very far.
But victory once gained. aud prosperity
! enjoyed. then leisure comes, and with ii
idleness. and the attainment Of much
wealth furnishes food for moral cormp-
lion. Hence arose the vigor Of the an
Gent states. so long Is they we're rising
. and struggling. but when they became
prOsperously secure they were soon cor
rupied.
The very opportunity 10 crafty sell.
fshness is an evil in aaiional view, for
]. stimulates and brings into action wrong
feelings until they become dominant.
The exercise Of them, will then be at
tended by moro or less Of success. and
that will confirm the habit Of self gra,ifi.
cation, and then the people have lost
their patriotism and greatness. Selfish
ness canno. DO the governing principle in
the hearts Of the individuals composing a
great nation. A money.cove,ing people
can never be truly aud permanently great
Their ruling passion is hostile in It's
effects, toward liberty, and national
strength. II such people sustain CO.
vernment and good order, it will be only
because il is subversicnt to individual
self advancement whereas patriotic
people regard their individual interests
as subseryirnt 10 the glory fshe country
The idola,ry of cove.ousness costs nc
Jree-piH offering upon the altar OF eoun
try; il pays what il is obliged 10 BY tax
es, and ,hs, is a blemished, cheapenet
gifs-nothing from gratitude, nor from
patriotic love.
The general, or predominant pursui
ofplessure. is likewise incompatible VIII
national greatness. The lsurels Of FAINT
appear as though withered, on the brow
Of the debauchee. The fall Of Rome wa
nearly contemporary with her abandon
ment to luxury. The listlessness oil To-
Creeks. which even the elaquence oil TN
prince Of orators could hardly arouse, an
The sigh. Of tyranny itself was insuffc'er
to awaken to deeds Of self sacrifice, wa
bred by luxury and ener'ating pleasure
And thus we seem TO have been ins,ruc
ell, that in states, as in the individual
who compose them, selfgralificatlon,
nearly equivalent tc self.des'ruc'lo'
These instances warn US, that 10 resi-
pleasure is 10 crown The life. ..
But we are in position different.