The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-20

Government OF Laws we pay our homasc2 -
s,Ler words, to the supremacy of mind we
!. cknoUledge no other supreme authority than
tbat of intelligence-we bow to no other sceptre
han that Of the intellect. IT is the realm OF IN
teIIeet where such principles sway. Such is she
0Renuhlic of Lettersj' where the adventurous
tnstre of wealth, radiant rank, and the accident
Of proud birth, all lost in insignifcanfe; and
ROYALTY itself fails of vastage ground 10
erifv such an ideal the efforts of Mi. Vattemare
we're directed among the nations Of the world,-
TO establish among them this magnificent COM
munion. With untiring diligence and disinterest-
ed zeal he had labored for this great and ceralal
union Of the nations, and thus sought ia nix the
s,,nreme influences of the naind above the pomp
of empire itself.
We have heard of the Holy alliance of the ma
tions Of European overawing array-formed for
the special interests Of its members, and to keep
up the entertainments of Monarchical power
not to give confidence ts the vsice OF reason, or
invite the labours of genius, nor light up the
true and chastened theories of human rights ara
liberties That alliance reposed within the, safe
guard of physical power, and was Imperial by
fore of arms-but such an alliance is under this
project to yield to a more exalted coalition-to
the transcendant, the illustriogs authority of in
tellect--to the sovereignty of mind, which
such projects aim to ests biish and fortify Such,
in its extreme results and richest fruition, was
the plan of the benevolent protector He Speaks
to us in the name of that council Of the wise
and the good OF the earth, who are by taclt
bond combined within the whole civilized sphere:
and who act in ready unison and with electric
energy. He is the self-constituted, but not the
less legitimate, envoy Of that council-the APP
pfopriate representative of the interests OF the
nations for their best fund-their intellectnal
resources and a universal good will. He seeks by
this interchange of works and products to raise
|, ,vhoea on
shall be peace, and whose glery shall be the
welfare of the world.
To illustrate the genial tendency Of this pro-
iect, let US recar to our own country. How is it
that we are to put an end to the misrepresent-
atiens or misconceptions of which we complain
at the hands of fol eigners?-how make thorough
ly and distinctly known the merits of our politi-
cal Institutions, our social advancement, the
intellectual worth of this land' How are we
to propitiate the just feeling of Europeans, and
extinguish the dubious and grudging spirit which
is excited and fostered to inveteracy by political
preiudices? How is this to be done but by the
luminous proofs of our merit shining into for
eign lands, and demonstrating our capacity and
our efficacy by the products of our talent? How
else are we to convince them but by the immediate
presence of the fruits of that genius for which
we may take credit, and for which we may claim
our due measure of celebrity, only on the Inter
national theatre which this plan desires to estab-
lish? Our newspapers and reviews may kindle
at the wrong, and be vivid with eloquent invec-
tive, and vet the errors will not be avowed, and
the prejudice will live in all its strength. Our
orators may celebrate our country's qualities and
progress but the mischief cannot be reached by
the denunciation, and no remonstrance can shake
the obstinacy of that prejudice. We cannot, in
this way, attain our proper elevation and com
mand merited Difference. You cannot allay the
antipathies nor check these disparaging vagaries,
but by showing the strength and the fruit of
your country's mind and genius, and thus you
command the silence of critics, and eventually
the respect Of Cabinets. The avails of this in
tellectual commerce, now attempted by Mr..
Vattemare's project, are indeed intellectually
great. If it serves to diffuse correct idea Of
us in all the points alluded to- and to win for US
our Just estimation, what, in political view, are
not the advantages we may derive?
Say what you may of diplomatic service and
of the rule of selfish policy in the cabinets of
nations, their dispositions will be tempered by
the general intelligence; and the just estimation
of other countries, impressed by that command
ing agency, public opinion, will regulate the
action of foreign powers, and inspire Just respect
even among the most heartless diplomatic tao
ticians
Let our rightful grade be exhibited, and let
our country then be indicated by being illustra-
ted, and take the intellectual rank to which she
NAV be entitled. Let the knowledge of our
works be diffused, and the proposed interchange
with foreign countries be ample and active, and
we shall be connected with them by more useful
sympathies than the mere ties of interest-by
cordial bonds sealed by respect, always assured
by the testimonies of the fertile and energetic
mind associated with the contemplation of the
large resources eff an empire. Such some OF
the transcendent results Of this project deduced
through no medium of extravagant enthusiasm.
| l~& I'll n--i.x-
srfmmations Of the scheme in process of time to
be anticipated.
The Congress Of the United States has done
in reference to this plan all that was practicable
| within the bounds Of constitutional power. Mr.
Yattemares enterprise enjoyed the unequivocal
commentator at Washington, of some Of the
best men Of the nation, and they promptly yield
ed all that could be afforded toward placing his
views Under the auspices of this government,
although that aid was but partial. But the
States on this subject not limited in their
sovereign discretion. They may honor themselves
by embarking in this project, and dignity their
position In the eye of the world. Merged now
in the collective importance and general grandeur
of the Union, they may, by the intercourse in
duced by this system, each acquire an illustrious
individuality, and be in the vision of the Europe
an world, each ga bright, particular star" The
State of Maryland is now here specially invok-
ed She may be noted member of this socie-
ty of sovereigns; she has within her borders the
material OF diversified industry; her local adj
vantages seem the warrant of her brilliant pros
perity; she is rich and varied IN the productions
of her soil, and scarcely equalled in mineral treas
ures; and the day may not be far distant when
her intellectual treasures will no less signalize
her name, and make up the crown Of her emf
hence. She stands then endowed to enter into this
National fellowship. Mr.. Vattemare now visits
Maryland, in his zeal, as the honored represen-
tative of nations, and the advocate of their in
terests in all future time The appeal he now
urges in his benevolent spirit, cannot be sighted.
In this pecunary age of ours, may fail, as many
systems have failed before it. like 1.-THE emination
Of comprehensive and far-seeing philanthropy
It may be contemplated with interest as an alb
,tract truth and receive only that speculative
sideration, all acknowledging the obligation to aid
in carrying it into practice, while it remains not
inert; all admiring 1t, but no in
iividual being under special duty to act for it.
This appeal to us cannot fail to command our