The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1841-03-25

will ever produce the same effects; and
as long as the love Of power is domi-
nant passion of the human bosom, and as
long as the understandings Of men can be
warped, and their affections changed. by
operations upon their passions and pre-
iudices, SO long will the liberties Of a
people depend on their own constant at
teniion to its preservation. The danger
10 all we'll established free governments
arises from the unwllingness of the peo-
pie to believe in its existence, or from the
influence of designing men. diverting
their attention from the quarter whence
it approaches, to source from which il,
can never come. This is the old trick
Of those who would usnrp the govern
ment of their country. In the name Of
Democracy they speak. warning the peo.
Pile against the influence of wealth. and
the danger of aristocracy. History. an
cient and modern, is full Of such ex-
amples. Caesar. became the master of
the Roman people and the Senate, un-
der the pre,ence of supporting the de-
mocratic claims of the former against
the aristocracy of the latter. Cromwell,
in the character of Protector of the liber-
ties Of the people. became the Dictator
of England and Bolivar possessed him
self of unlimited power with the title of
his country's Liberator. There is, on
The contrary, no sing instance on record
of an extensive and we'll established Re-
public being changed into an aristocra-
cy. The tendencies of ali such govern
menss. in their decline, is to Monarchy !;
and the antagonist principle to liberty,
there, is the spirit OF faction-a spirit
which assumes the character. and in times
of great excitement imposes itself upon
the people as the genuine spirit of free
dom. and, like the false Christs. whose
coming was foretold by the Saviour, seeks
and were i. possible would impose upon
the true and mos, faithful disciples of Ii
bsrty. 1t is in periods like this that it
behooves the people TO be most wa,chful
of those to whom they have entrusted
power. And although there is at times
much difficulty in Distinguishing the false
from the true spirit, calm and dipassion-
ale investigation will detect the counter
felt, as well by the character of its op-
erations as the results that are produced
The true spirit OF liberty, although devo-
ted, persevering, bold, and uncomprom-
ising in principle-that secured-is mild
and tolerant. and scrupulous as 10 the
means it employs; whilst the spirit Of
party. assuming to be that of liberty, is
harsh. vindictive and intolerant, and totally
reckless as TO the character of the allies
which it brings 10 the aid of its cause.
When the genuine spirit of libertytani-
mates the body of "a people to thorough
examination of their affairs, it leads to the
excis!on of every excrescence which may
have fastened itself upon any of the de-
partments of the government, and restores
the system 10 its pristine health and beau
,y. But the reign Of an intolerant spirit
of party, amongst free people, seldom
fails to result in dangerous accession to
the Executive power-introduccd and es-
tablished amidst unusual professions of
devotion to Democracy.
The foregoing remarks relate, almost
exclusively, to matters connected with
our domestic concerns. 1t may be pro-
per, however, that should give some in
dications to my fellow-citizens of my pro-
posed course of conduct in the manage
ment of our foreign relations. I assure
them, therefore, that it is my intention %
use avery means in my power TO preserve
the friendly intercourse which now so
happily subsists with every foreign ma
ton. And that although, of course, not
well-informed as to the state of pending
negotiations with any of them. see, in
the personal characters of the snvereigns,
as well as III the mutual interests of our
own, and of the Governments with which
our relations are most intimate. pleasing
guaranty that the harmony so important
to the interests Of their subjects, as well
as of our citizens will not be interrupted
by the advancement of any claim or pre-
tension upon their part to which our ho-
nor would not permit US to yield. Long
the defender of my country's rights in the
field, trust that my fellow-citizens will
not see, in my earnest desire to preserve
peace WIN foreign powers, any lndlca-
ton tibet their rights will ever be sacri6-
ced, or the honor of the nation furnished,
by any admission OH the part of their
Chief MagiFssate unworthy of their for
mer CORY. In our intercourse with our
aboriginal neighbors the same liberality
and justice which marked the course pre-
scsibsd 10 me by two of my ilustrious
predecessors, when acting under their d.
rection in the discharge of the duties Of
Superintendent, and Commissioner, shall
be strictly observed. can conceive of
no more sublime spectacle-none more
likely 10 propitiate an impartial and COM
mon crea;or-than rigid adherence to
the principles of justice, on the part of
powerful nation, in its transactions with
weaker and uncivilized people. whom
circumstances have placed at its disposal.
Before concluding, fellow-citizens.
must say something to you on the SUBJ
ject Of the parties at this time existing
in our country. To me it appears per-