Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-06-23


was long the governing passion in Spanish
wars, aud Spanish settlements in Amellca.-
Even Columbus himself did not wholly escape
the influence OF this base motive. In his early
voyages we find him passing from island TO
island, inquring every where for gold; as u
God had opened the now world TO the knOwl-
edge Of the old. only TO crafty passion equal
ly senseIess and sofdid and TO offer up millions
of an unoflending race of men TO the destruc-
ton of the sword, sharpened both by cruelty
and rapacity. And yet Columbus was far a.
bove his age and country. Enthusiastic, in
deed, but sobef, religious and magnanimous;
born TO great things and capable Of high seni-
ments, as his noble discourse before Ferdinand
and Isabella, as well as the whole history OF bis
life shows. Probably he sacrificed much to the
known sentiments of Others, and addressed TO
his followers motives likely TO influence them.
At the same lime il is evident that he himself
looked upon The world which he discovered IS
a world of wealth, all ready TO be seized ana
enjoyed.
The conqueroTs and the European settlers Of
Spanish America were mainly military COM
mnnders and common soldiers The monarchy
Of Spain was not transferred to this hemisphere,
hut it acted in il, as it acted at home, through
its ordinary means, and lis true representative,
military force. The robbery and d' slrucion Of
the native race was the achievement Of stand
ing armies, in the right of the king, and by his
authority; fighting in his name, for the aggran-
dizements Of his power, aud the extension of his
prerOg atives; with military ideas under arbitra-
~ maxims, portion of that dreadful. inslru-
mentality by which perfect despotism governs
people. As there was no liberty in Spain,
how could liberty be transmitted TO Spanish
colonies'
The colonisis Of English America were of the
tanuio nj n al
of the middle, Industrious, and already prosper
Gus class, the inhabitants of commercial and
manufacturing cities, among whom liberty first
revived and respired, after a sleep of thousand
years, in the bosom of the dark ages. Spain
descended on the new world in the armed and
terrible image of her monarchy and her suldie-
ry; England approached it in the winning and
popuar garh of personal rights, public proiec-
lion and civil freedom. England transplanted
liberty 10 America; Spain transplanied power
England, through the agency of private com
panies, and the efforts Of individuals, colonizcd
this part of North America, by industrious in
divduas, making their own wav in the wider
ness, defending themselves against the savages,
recognizing their right 10 the soil. and with a
general honest purpose Of introducing knowl-
edge rs well as Christianity among ihcm.-
Spain stopped on south America, like falcon
on its prey. Every Thing was gone. Terrific
ries were acquired, by fire and sword. Cities
were DESTROYED by fire and sword. Hundreds
of thousands Of human beings fell by fire and
sword. Even conversion 10 Christianity was
attempted by fire and sword.
Behold then, feIlow-citizens, the differ
ence resulting from the operation Of the two
principles Here, to-day, on the summit Of
Bunker HILL and at the foot Of the monu-
ment, behold the difference would that
the fifty thousand voices present could pro-
claim it, with shout which should be heard
over the globe. Our inheritance was liber-
ty, secured and regulated by law, aud en-
lightened by religion and knowledge; that
of South America was of power, stern, I'M
relenting, tyrannical, military power. And
look to the results, on the general and ag-
gregate happiness Of the human race. Aud
behold the results, in all the regions con-
quered by Cortez and Pizarro, and the con-
trasied results here. / suppose the terrific
ry Of the United States may amount to one
eighth or one tenth of that colonized BY
Spain on this continent, and yet in all that
vast region there are but between one and
two millions of European color and Europe
an blood while in the United States there
are fourteen millions who rejoice in their
descent from the people of the more north
ern part Of Europe.
But we follow the difference, in the orr
ginal principle of colonization, and in its
character and objects, still further. We
must look to moral and intellectual results
we must consider consequences, not only as
they show themselves in the greater or less
multiplication Of men or the supply of their
physical wants-but in civilization, improve.
ment and happiness. We must inquire what
progress has been made in the true science
Of liberty, and in the knowledge of the great
principles of self-government.
would no, willingly say any thing on thi.
occasion, discourteous to the new govern
ments, founded on the demolition of ih,
power of the Spanish monarchy. They are
yet on their trial, and hope for favorable
result. But truth, sacred truth, aud 6delt,
to the cause Of civil liberty, compels me tt
say, that hitherto they have discovered quit,
too much of the spirit of that monarchy
from which they separated themselves
Quite too frequent resort is made to militia
ry force, and quite too much of the sub
stance of the people consumed, in maintain
ing armies, not for defence against foreign
aggression only, but for enforcing obedienc,
TO domestic authority. Standing armies arr
the oppressive instruments for governing III
! people, in the hands of hereditary and arbi
trary monarchs. A military republic, a gov
eminent founded on mock elections, an,
supported only by the sword, is movemen
indeed, but retrograde and dsastrou
movement, from the monarchial systems. |
men would enjoy the blessings of RepubIi
can government, they must govern ihemsel
YES by reason, by mutual counsel and con
snliaiion by a sense and feeling of nenera