Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-08-18

| firm reliance on the assistance Of ProUi-
dence, could have kept together that band
OF Patriots, in those trying scenes Of the
| American Revolution; when, in its dark
est hours, a merciless, but well-disciplined,
and powerful enemy was pressing them in
! rear; and sickness and starvation, stared
them in front; and Death, was the ruler
and COMMUNICATIVE chief, in thai midst. In
| circumstances similar to the above, was the
American army, when not gieam of hope
could be discovered in any aspect of the
American cause, that little shift in the
elements, enabled the yigilant and intrepid
Washington, to cross the Delaware-and,
IN an unantcipated moment, attack the
British and Hessiaus at Trenton-and gain
a signal and unexpected victory. What a
rich feast Of joy now filled every Ameri-
can. heart! and shouts Of victory came from
every tongue. '.Victory or DEATH" was
heard from rank to rank, until the leaven
had ditfused itself throughout the whole
army, and the fire of Liberty was rekind-
led IN every bosom. The infant struggles
Of freedom now became more vigorous and
ciioctive--and every heart pulsated, with
otiOIISCI hOpES Ol lIllul VICTORY.
Had it not been for this unforeseen and
presidential success, the American cause,
which was already languishng, would
probably have died, and the iron sceptre of
despotsm would have rendered suppiant
| and powerless, the spirit Of freemen; cX-
tngulshlng forever the last hope OF liberty.
Nothing then is more evident, than that
series of presidential interpositions, con-
slltnted the mighty axis, around which hui
man agency revolvod, in otfecting our tri
umph. The mind Of Washington was we'll
versed in natures school, and abundantly
stored with facts, acquired by close obser-
vations of her phenomena and so pre-
emnently had the God of nature fitted linn,
for this eventful crisis, that he turned eve
ry shift and change in the clements and
seasons, to their best account, and made
every favorable interposition tell well on
the fate of his beloved country.
But although Providence seemed so cyi-
IDENTIFY TO afford aid, and guidance TO the
struggles of our fathers for liberty; it was
not designed, and cannot be expected that
their sons should retain the inestimable
legacy, in its unadulterated form, without
constant effort, and untiring vigilance. 1t
would, indeed, then seem important that
ne, who have this rich gift in trust, should
take especial care to perpetuate, undefled,
It's blessings to future generations; and
extend its influence to other nations, by
continually augmenting the strength Of the
maln-p!llars, upon which the stability Of
this inheritance depends.
The natural inquiry, then follows -
What are those pillars? or, in other words,
upon what does continuance Of our lib
critics depend? However much aspiring
politicians and political demagogucs. may
war about partizan men, and partizan mea-
sures, the grand axiom that uirtue and in
tcNigence, are essentially necessary to self
government, is conceded by all. Those,
then, constitute the only sure ,foumdation,
upon which our grand fabric can be safe
ly and permanently sustained. They con-
stitute the keystone in the arch; remove
which, and the whole superstructure tum-
blcs TO ruins.
have said that virtue and intelligence
afford the only safe indemnity, for our lib
critics. VIII any one presume, that laws,
unprotected by sound public opinion, are
sufficient to govern US? AS well might we
essay to still the troubled pillows Of the
mighty Ocean in gale, as for Republic
TO attempt governing itself, by laws alone
4 government of laws, although the high
est government known among men, must
be based on sound public opinion, and
| lanked and sheltered on all sides, by health
| full moral sentiment, or 1t will be impotcnt
and poweress. 1t is repugnant to the in
nate feelings Of depraved man, to be CO.
creed consequently, men must be taught
to realize their true interest, and appreciate
their rights, and understand the ra7ue of
| liberal Institutions; as well as the import
ance of protecting them, before laws de-
! signed TO have that effect, will be sustain
ed. The laws, then, are controlled by pub
lie opinion; and, sound and healthful
opinion is, of course, the offspring of rirtue
and Intelligence. Suppose the executive
officers throughout this great confederacy
should undertake TO enforce the penalties
and requirements of all the laws, 10 their
uery spirit, and letter, at the present time!
What, my friends, would be the resu!t?-
Surely anarchy, riots and confusion, would
ensue, until there would be an utter sub
rersion of all civil authority. Suppose
again. that the Legislature of Wisconsin,
should enact law legalizing theft, and as
sumo the prerogatiye of entailingthis crime
on society! Would such henious law be
tolerated! \ general thrill OF adherence
would pervade all honest classes of citi-
aens' The law would be speedily wiped
from the statute book-and its authors,
forever remembered 10 be sure, but only as
| oreoc;a.od with ipro,>x. TN