North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-05-13

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utate and fosiofa emigfaais, We have be-
come, IN little more than two centuries, :
great people and we are fastening lor.
ward, with rapid strides. 10 The saccom-
plshment OF our destiny" whaiever that
dsssiny may be.
10 foreign commerce we surpsss every
nation except Great Britain. Our ton
mage exceeds that OF Great Britain her
selE.
Our territory compartments twenty-five
degrees Of latitude, and 6fiy-fVe OF longi-
tude.
Nature has disliugu ishscd Us, above all
nations, by the vast amoani OF our nayira-
bic waters.
We have, now a population Of sixteen
millions. II ne measure its future increase
By the past, a short period, comparative
ly, will suffice 10 make il o~ut-number that
Of any nation, China alone excepted.
Many now alive will see il more than one
hundred millions.
Our soil is adapted to every variety of
production.
Our people are characterized by inpe-
nuity and enterprise, beyond any people
on the globe.
Our resources are, not abundant mere
ly, but absolutely exhaustiess. We have
within us all The elements OF greatness.
We are beyond the reach of the dislur-
hing influences which reiard the progress
OF other nations.
Our political institutions favor the dev-
elopement of our capabilities, both phys
icaI and Intellectual.
In short, our peculiar position, our i'm
F4Aaaa g~Kx.snwg 81. - =
stftutions, and the character of our people,
render il quite certain that we are destined 4
10 a power and influence, OF which history {
furnishes no example. /
Our high destiny, no less than our pre-
sent condition, imposes upon us peculiar T
duties. i
Can we doubt, that, among the most /
important of these duties, is the eytin- S
guishmcnt OF European sovereignty over {
every part OF North American
We owe il to ourselves, we owe ii 10 a
humanity, we owe il to the world, to en- n
graft into the code Of nations the princi. o
pie, that the sovereignty OF a nation of A
people is legitimate only when need d.
led for protection, and that the period of 81
as in the family constitution, G,
ightiully ceases when the subject OF it be-
zones capable of performing the functions e,
II self-government. nj
The law OF nations is properly said TT
o be the law of nature applied TO a
ations. Nature, which speaks through di
he usages Of every people, barbarians M
nd civilized. emancipates the child sc
ION parental dominion when he becomes
apable of governing himself. And the tic
dice of nature is uniform. She has not III
the ~incongruity OF giving one tic
wv to man as an individua and a contra i'm
7 n to man as a community. iii be a
MUST that an individual capable OF gov at,
ming himself should be subjected to the tn,
government Of another, against ly
. will. it must be equally SO in regard TO SUI
nation so placed, in geographical posi- tn,
On, as to form, naturally, a separate peo-
e. ish
Nature has not intended the people for wh
c benefit OF governments, but govern Tho
for the benefit Of the people. The {
lonial theory reverses the true principle te.
government. In the colonial constitu- cor
the good of the people is not even raj.
opposed as the chief end of the govern. and
The government and its admins vet
ltion are alike adapted TO subserve the er +
erests OF the country which claims the an
'ereignty, and not the interests OF the at
yerned. A colonial government is al int
Iys, and must necessarily be, a govern thin
mt OF abuses. Founded in iniustice-in our
ross invasion OF The rights OF the peo- fl.
lit must necessarily be sustained by mali
detestsble union OF force, fraud, and int
IL is wanting in every element quo
as Americans recognize as necessary to c
Legitimacy. sort
What slavery is among individuals, CO. shal
lal government is among nations. The prot
is the same in both cases As Gre,
slave is controlled for The benefit of onie
master, so the colony is controlled for of nj
benefit Of The country which claims her
sovereignty. They are both govern net.
With reference 10 other interests than She
own. One is subjected to the will Of inhaI
ndivid ual, the other to the will OF a tism.
ign government. Both are equally ical /
led of the right self government, aud lens
} are compelled TO serve a master. Cans
what Is morally wrong in one case. mola
{ be politically wrong in the other the
ut II 10 not the COLONY only which has a our \
{ 70 complain. The community Of ven;e
ons suffers The colonial system is In
prejudicial 10 the general mo q