The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1841-03-13

tensve and well established republic
being changed into an srisiocracy.
The tendencies of all such Govern
ments 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 it.
self upon the People as the genuine
spirit of freedom, and like the false
Christs whose coming was foretold by
the Saviour, seeks to, and were il pos
sihle, weuld, impose upon the true and
most faithful disciples of liberty.
ltisein periods like this that il be-
hoves the People to be most waichful
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
dispassionate investigation viii detect
the counterfeit as well by the charac-
ter Of its operations, as the results that arc
produced. The true spirit of liberty, al
though devoted, persevering, bold and
uncompromising in principle, that secured,
10 iHiia dtih olt CClutiuituo dS 10
the means il employs; whilst the spirit Of
party, assuming TO ba that Of liberty, is
harsh, vindiciive and intolerant, and TO-
tally reckless as TO the character of the al
lies which i, brings to the aid Of its cause.
When the genuine spirit Of liberty animates
the people to thorough examination of
their affairs, leads 10 the excision of every
excressence winch may have fastened
i'self upon any Of the Departments of
the Government, and restores the sys-
temto its pristine health and beauty.
Bntthe reign Of an n,olerant spirit of
party amongst free people, seldom
fails to result in dangerous accession
10 The Executive power introduced E.
established amidst uausuul professions
of devotion TO democracy
The foregoing remarks relate al
most exclusively to matters connected
with our domestic concerns. 1t may
be proper, however, that ! should
give some indications to my feliUw-cit.
izens Of my proposed course of con-
duct in the management OF oNr for
eign relations. assure them there
FORE that it is my intention TO uso nv-
cry cry srrrendiy sref'i IN lpgy power to preserve
happily subssts with every foreign na-
tien and that, although, Of course, not
well Informed as to TO the state Of any
Of them, l see in the personal charac-
ter of the Sovereigns, as well as in the
mutual interests Of our own and of the
Governments with which cur relations
are NEST Intimate. pleasing guaran-
ty that the harmony so important to
the interests Of their subjects, as well
as our citizens, will not be interrupt
ed by the advancement Of any claim,
or pretension upon their part to which
our honor would not permit US 10
yield. Long the defender Of my coun-
try's rights in the field, l trust that
my fellow-eitizens will not see in my
earnest desire TO preserve peace with
foreign powers, any indication that
their rights will ever be sacrificed, or
the honor of The nation furnished, by
any admission on the part of theirChief
Magistrate unworthy Of their former
glory.
III our iNNtICUUIsc WIFI Our aUQrIglnal
neighbors, the same liberality and Justice,
which marked the course prescribed to me
by two of my illustrous predecessors,
when acting under their direction in the dis
charge of the duties of Superintendent and
Commissioner, shall be strictly observed.
can conceive Of no nore sublime spectacle
none more likely to propiiiiate an impair
tial and common Creator, than rigid adhe-
renee to the principles of justice on the part
of a powerful nation in its transactions with
weaker and unciyiized people, whom
circumstances have placed at It's disposal.
Before concluding, fclow.cilizans,I must
say something 10 you on the subject Of par
ties at this time existing in our country
To me il appears perfectly clear, that the
interest of that country requires that The
violence Of the spirit by which those parties
are at this time governed, must be greatly
mitgaed, if not entirely extinguished, or
consequences will ensue which are appall-
ing 10 be thoughi Of. If parties ina Republic
are necessary 10 secure degree OF vigilance
sufficient TO keep the public funclionaries
within the bounds of law and duly, at that
point their usefulness ends. Beyond that
they become destructive of public virtue, The
parents Of spirit antagonist to that of lib
or,x, ~ H.