North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-05-06
Correspondence.

IlnERTYl


with society. and yet bat few OF those
who talk 10 much aud so loudly 10 lis
praise, understand what true liberty is, or
duly appfeeiatc the many privileges and
blessings which Il yields. When we loek
into The past history Of mankind, we at
once perceive, that liberty ard knowledge
60 hand 10 hand that the throne Of the
iyrant has always been upheld by the slav-
ish ignorance Of the people; and in proper
lion as knowledge became more general,
thissuppori has failed; until at length i,
was crushed by one overwhelming and IT,
rcsistiblc cifoFt The naughty despot
could noteHslave those whom knowledge
had taught that " oil men are born VITA
equal rights and privileges. lie could
not crush those untamahe spirits, who
were determined 20 ENJOY these privileges,
or die in the struggle ~ obtain them, Oh,
could the true Gre Of, liberty and hatred o.
tyranny that has glowea in the breast Of
the patriot in all the passages of the world
be rekiudled in the b2soms Of the peoPle.
Of the present day, and all It's zeal, undaun-
ted bravery, and enduring perseverance be
az ain brought into action, the canking OF
1.-The tyrants chains would be but ''ihe echo
of past ages" The prison doors Of the suf-
fering patriot would be opened for his re-
lease. The weary exile would return from.
his wandering & degradation and be wei
coined back by the shouts Of thonsands,to
the home of the free aad the brave. Llber-
ltyl soul inspiring word How many vic
tins have been offered up on lis sacred al
l,arsl how many have suffered cold and
hunger, poverty s. distress, in its support !!
and waded through fields of blood,
where lay the brave and mighty dead,
to plant its glorious standard. !. Although
in the present age we see it reeline and
tottering ike a dying bird, ready 70 sink
beneath the wounds it has received, still
it may yet brave the storms for ages.
It is yet guarded by few brave hearts,
who stand firm as the rocks of the ocean
-vwho like Washington and Lafayette
dare send 10 thevery throne of the tyrant,
their determination to be free or die in
the attempt; men who devote their time,
their talents, their property, and their all,
TO the service OF their bleeding country,
men who suffer imprisonment. exile and
death, for her defence, and, men who are
s,ill ready with their arms to maintain her
high and honorable elevation among the
/ nations of the earth. What theme nl
contemplation for the Patriot, and the Lib
erty-loying American !! Who would not
rather lie down in. glory, and be best by
generations yet unborn, Tor the priceless
heritage transmitted 10 them, than veal
the blood-s,ained diadem Of Royalty, annie
the curses Of degraded people. But, {
day of retribulion is at hand the blood Q
Thousands is yet unatoned for the spirits
Iof the mighty dead, whose bones bleact
| on the fields Of Canada, will rise up AM
lcry aloud for vengeance. Those great an'
noble hearts, whose last agonies wer
lbrcathed out beneath the accursed hand
of British hangman, are Northumberland
Thai noble cause for which they suffered
an ig nominious and cruel death, is prostra
! ted and crushed. OF the compatriots G
. those martyrs, some have been made foo
, Ifor worms and beasts, by the blood
and sanguine policy OF Great-Britain-
Others have gone into exile, TO suffer nor
THAN thousand deaths, aaieng feAohs AM
! the out beasts of, Engiapa.is Some har'
found alshoft ,respite fromithsir trials AM
,ttriboiations, in land ofstrangefs ! ant
others are groaning in bondage in the de
testable cells of Republican Prisons u.
{ this the reward that's merited by the Son
Of Freedom Must they be hunted iron
their native land, like wild beasts, and no
an arm raised to defend or assist them
r Forbid it Heaven forbid it justice An
4 all this suffering too, within sight oil lie
public that is held up TO the world as