The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-07-12

! perish with the doctrines of the declara
ton; TO call to mind the trials and suffer
ings of the infant settlement, how the,
were swept away by the angel of death
by destituton, by sickness, by the more
merciless hand of the (crocious savage
to call TO remembrance the trying crise.
OF the revolution, when the stoutest heart.
were discouraged and despair drove ma
ny from the contest; TO sketch the histo
ry of those whose lamp of life was exlin
gushed amidst clouds and darkness, ere
the dawn of their deliverance broke, OF
even the morning star of their country
glory had assembled the armament, and
shed
Gone twlnklng ray, moment seen,
The darkIy closing clouds between;'
10 reflect
GLOW sleep the brave who sink to rest
with all their countrys wishes blest;
How honor comes pilgrim grey,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay.
Where spring shall dress swcotcr sod
Than iancy's feet have ever trod;
How freedom shall awhile repair
10 dwell weeping hermit there -
these thoughts cannot fail to inspire
patriotism in all breasts, to kindle glow
ing flame in the coolest hearts. Teach
these dear, these living thoughts to the
young, and they cannot fail to awake in
them kindred emotions and longing for
the spirit and mantle of their fathers.
The heroes of the revolution have near
Iy all passed away. Would that some
were present to partake of the festivities
oil tins occasion, TO receive our thanks, to
enjoy our love and gratitude. But one
after another has gone to receive his re-
ward. A few only remain. Like stars at
the breaking morn, one after another
has disappeared-a few yet family glim-
mer on the verge of the sky, soon to melt
away into the light Of heaven, as others
have done before them. Honored in their
life, happy in their death, may they res,
in peace while their works do follow
Them
"And when the weary march is ended,
ANA halt Is ordered from on high
Angels, gathering round the soldier,
shall sing his requiem lullaby"
The fundamental principle of our gov
eminent is the equality of man; that
there is no divine right Of kings, no heredi-
'ary privileges allowed to birth or wealth,
but that government is a social compact.
In tie language Of the declaration, "gov-
eEnmenis derive their just powers from
The consent of the governed" We must
strive to maintain this cardinal principle
d equality. This may be our herculean
ask. We have been tried in adversely,
we have stood it well; but it NAV be
with nations as often with man, the great
EST test OF virtue is great good fortune.
The history of the past presents but the
lnbrokcn annals of wealth and power on
he one hand, and want and submission
IN the other. The same elements will be
ever here as there at work to disturb the
'alm and level waters Of the popular free
lon. Those in power, the learned, the
wealthy, the ambitious, are always SEEK
ng the ascendency. They have the adj
vantage over the mass Of the people, who
pursue "lhe even tenor Of their way,
'Iong the cool, sequestered vale of life :"
hey stand, as II were, upon an emincnce,
cast before and around, see all the various
avenues to wealth and power, and if in
.luenced by selfish motives, unbridled by
conscience or patriotism, they enter them,
seize upon the citadel, and enslave their
All efforts to disturb this equal
ty in legislation or discussion, granting
exclusive privileges, enacting unequal
avs, or establishing institutions not for
he greatest good of the greatest number,
should be earnestly repelled-should be |
rushed in embryo.
The only permanent and substantial ba-
us of our free institutions, is the virtue
md intelligence of the people. We hold
hat mankind are capable Of self govern.
nent, but we presuppose him educated, |
Without these endowmenls,
he is prey TO his own passions, the slave
If vice, the tool of demagogues. The Pu-
ltans so understood ii; for, soon after
heir arrival, they contributed much, even
n their poverty, to establish institutions
If learning. Tyrants have ever known ;
or they have ever prepared the way to
,ower, or fortified themselves in it, bv |
the lights of intelligence.
free government has ever been the wish
# an oppressed people. Their efforts
ave often, for time, succeeded but in |
very such government, some vital, con.
ervatve principle has ever been wanting.
They struggled on for few years only. |
nd expired. What is this conservative. |