The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-03-19


their decline, is to monarchy and the
antagonist principle to liberty, there, is
the spirit of laction-a spirit which as
sumes the character, and, in times of great
excitement, imposes itself upon the peo-
pie as the genuine spirit Of freedom, and,
like the false Christs, whose coming was
ioretoid by the Savior, seeks and, were it
possible, would impose upon the true and
most faithful disciples ofliberty. II is iii
periods like this that il behooves the peo-
pie TO be most watchlul of those TO whom
'hey have entrusted power.
And, although there is at times much
difficulty IN distinguishing the false from
the true spirit, calm and dispassionate
investigation will detect the counterfeit.
as well by the character of its operations
es the results that are produced. The
true spirit of liberty, although devoted,
persevering, bold, and uncompromising in
principle-ihat securcG-is mild, and tole-
rant, and scrupulous as to the means it
employs; whilst the spirit of party, assu-
ming to be that Of liberty, is harsh, vim
diclive, and iutolerant, and totally reckless
as to the character of the allies which it
brings TO the aid Of It's cause. When the
genuine spirit of liberty animates the body
of a people to Il thorough examination of
their affairs, it leads to the excision of
every eXcrescencc which may have fast
encd itself upon amy of the departments
Of the Government, and restores the sys-
TEN to its pristine health and beauty. But
the reign Of al intolerant spirit of party,
amongst free people, seldom fails to re-
suit in dangerous accession to the Exc
cutive powcr--introduccd and established
amidst unusual professions of devotion to
Democracy
The foregoing remarks relate, almost
exclusively, to matters connected with our
domestic concerns. 1t may be proper,
however, that should give some indca-
tons to my fellow citizens Of my propos-
ed course Of conduct in the management
of our foreign relations. assure them.
therefore, that it is my intention to use
every means III my power to preserve the
friendly intercourse which now so happi-
ly subsiss with every foreign nation.
And that, although, of course, not well
informed as 10 the state of pending nego-
tiatons with any Of them, see, in the
personal characters Of the sovereigns, as
well as in the mutual interests OF our own
y n &c
latlons are most intimate. a pleasing qua
ranty. 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 pretcn-
sion upon their part to which our honor
would not permit lis 10 yield. Long the
defender Of my country's rights in the
field, trust that my fellow citizens will
not see, i'll 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 their Chief Ma
gistrae unworthy 81 their former glory.
In our intercourse with our aboriginal
nelghbors the same liberality and justice
which marked the course prescribed 10
me by two ofmy illusirous predecessors,
when acting under their direction in the
discharge Of the duties Of Superintendent
and Commissioner, shall be strictly OBJ
served. can conceive of no more su-
blme spectace-none more likely TO pro-
rliate an impartial and common creator
than rigid adherence to the principles of
justice, on the part of powerful nation,
vllized people, whom circumstances have
placed at its disposal.
Before concluding, fellow citizens,
must say something 10 you on the subject
of the parties at this time existing in our
country. 10 me it appears perfectly
clear, that the interest of that country re-
quires that the violence of the spirit by
which those parties are at this time 90
verned, must be greatly mitigated, if not
entirely extinguished, or consequences
will ensue which arc appalling TO be
thought of.
II parties in Republic are necessary to secure
a degree of vigilance sufficient to keep the public
functionnries within tho bounds of law and duty.
atthat point their usefulness ends ;--beyond that.
they become destructive of public virtue, the pa
rent OF spir, antagonist to that of liberty, and
eventually its inevitable conqueror. We have
examples of Republics, where the love of country
aud oil liberty al one time, were the dominant pas
s!ons OF the whole mass of citizens, and vet with
the continuance of the names and forms of free
government, not vesige of those qualities re-
naming IN the bosom of any one of its citizens.