North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-05-27

To The People Of The United States.
No q

FELLOW Communicable writers
and eloquent orators have not been want
Ing, who have labored with the profound
skill OF their gigantic iniellects 10 prove
that yon possess the purest, the happiest,
and best government in C~hristendom /; and
that before lis superior s~plendor and mag
nlticence, all others dwindle into compar
alive no,hingness, and lose their lain,
ellmmeTings in the lucid brightness that
i%ncircIes the zone Of her political horizon.
The deep broad basis upon which rests
The sacred pillars Of your conslitution-the
equality OF your laws-thc soundness Of
your %poIicy--Ihe freedom Of specialize
liberty Of the press-lbe rights Of con
science-civil and religious privileges,
have ever been held forth to the world,
as beacon lights TO the way-worn from
the land Of oppression. Your country has
been styled The asylum Of the oppressed
the city Of refuge, and the home of Tie
free. Poets have sung her praiseS-ora-
tors have %eulogised her %benevolence, and
statesmen have lauded her philanthropy.
Panegyrics are lavished upon the purity
of your institutions and the liberality OF
your principles. Your laws, your insiitu-
lions, and your principles, have been bla-
zoned forth as an example worthy Of imi-
ration 10 the whole world. The people Of
other counties, who have thrown off the
yoke Of bondage and succeeded in achiev-
ing their independence, have almost inva-
riably referred TO your constitution and
laws, for a precedent upon which to base
the fabric OF their government. Thus you
see that nations who have already gained
their independence are looking up to you
as a political parent, while others, who
have not yet struck for freedom, are wait
ing patiently the result Of your expert
ment, ere, like you, they revolt from the
power of the despot and emerge into
the glorious light Of civil liberty but to
more keenly the rod Of oppression,
when again brought under the subsection of
a iyrant. Your downfall has been predic-
ied-the overthrow Of your Republic and
The subversion of your rights and p%iivile-
ges, has been proclaimed 10 the world as
an event certain ia its accomplishment.
The crowned heads Of Europe are watch
ng your movements with intense interest
.ior in your prosperity they ~loresee
heir ruin, while in your ouerthrow they
the perpetui'y Of despolism. Think
lot then that they remain idle spectators
If passing events. They leave no means
lntTled that has a tendency TO poison your 4,
principles or corrupt your Institutions {
the free intercourse existing between !
'ou and Great-Bri,ain a channel is onen- r
d for the introduction Of bribery and cor q
upton {; while by the intimate connexion
various Institutions, corporations G
nd ecclesiastical bodies in England and ;
he United States, a door is opened s
which British influence can pour n
Is blightiug effects upon The civil i~nstitu- I
ions OF your country. By social inter
with the gentry Of England you
mh.be iheir habits and castoms-while by i
onstantly mingIing with her purse- proud d
you drink in their a~ris:ocraiic
principles, and learn 10 despise republican d
implicitly. The great men of your coua- G