The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-07-26
GRAFTON.

Messrs. J. =. Mason, Isaac Smith, James Mich
! ell, committee
a GRAFTON.
THE anniversary Of freedoms birthday has
again returned. and we, the participants of human
liberty, according to our custom, are assembled to
celebrate with cheerful, and trust grateful hearts,
| that memorable day upon which the most momen-
tous transaction occurred which has ever been
recorded in the political history of our race. 1t
has been the custom of nations, time nmemorial,
to celebrate in public festivities some remarkable
in their history, but it has fallen to the lot Of
very few to commemorate day upon which the
achieyment of civil and religious liberty had been
effected. II has, however, fallen to fortune to
be among the favored few, whose anniversary calls
forth the songs and congratulations of freemen.
In contemplating the inestmable blessings arising
from the enjoyment of freedom, the mind invoun-
tary recurs to consideration of the Disadvantages
resulting from state Of subsection and thence
conditions of bondage and independence.
| In order even to ascertain the presence of any
particular quality, we must have some conception
Of its opposite in relation to our properly ap-
preciating the advantages and immunites of per-
sonal and national freedom, we must know some
thing in reference to personal and national oppres-
sion. The indomitable man of the forest is never
heard chanting the songs OF liberty, the reason Of
which is obvious,-h and his ancestors have been
permitted to roam unchecked and unrestrained,
and have enjoyed all the privileges which their
ingenuity could devise, and hence he appreciates
not the blessings of his condition, but revels in
their luxury and feasts on their enjoyment. 1t
would have obviated many calamities in the histo-
ry Of the human family, had mankind been endow-
ed with the faculty Of discriminating between op-
poste conditions without the aid of experience;
but such an endowment would have been inconss-
tent with the nature and abilities of fnitej beings,
and would exalted man higher in the scale of being
than it was designed by his Creator he should be
placed. But the sad reflection Is that mankind are
unwilling to learn even from experience to place
, proper estimate upon their most salutary inter-
ests. From which lamentable circumstance arises
the melancholy fact that governments have been
continually changing from monarchy into state
of partial freedom, and from this again to despo-
| tism
Nations which have just shaken off the oppres-
sive yoke generally produce warm and enthusiastic
advocates for human rights. The smart Of the
tyrants rod, then keen and piercing, begins to be
removed by the exhillerating and cheering con-
sideration that the stripes will not be renewed
The recollection of recent oppression adds stmu-
us to enthusiasm and arouses into decisive action
the latent powers of body and mind. But soon
ambitious motives usurp the recollection of former
oppressive injuries, and then the retrograde for
monarchy commences. The jewel lately burnish
ed shines with supereminent splendor, fascinating
with its peculiar lusre the ardent admirers of beau
ty. So governments recently emancpated from
the CALLING chain, appearing beautiful and harmo
nious in their simplicity afford to the mind of th'
philanthropist pleasing prospect. To trace th'
footsteps of liberty from its first introduction to h
present through all its meandering course, woul'
prolong the present remarks beyond an ordnar.
length. This, however, should not escape ou
notice, that its existence in any one place has beei
but transitory; as the morning dew, although re
freshipg, eyaporates and vanishes before the ray
Of the approaching sun, so the salutary influence
of freedom are blighted by the avaricious votarie
Of ambition. Greece was opce an asylum for tn
oppressed, In which the goddess Of liberty deigne
to take up her residence-but her stay was of shor
duration. The decorations of her temple wer
converted into Notifications for the protection Q
her adversaries The aspiring demagogue hesita
ted not to desecrate her affairs in sacrificing to tn
satation of an nordinate thirst personal aggran
dizement. The freedom Of which it was her priv
ileye to boast extended to the aspirant the mean
Of effecting her total destruction. sA.
Rome, also, may be mentioned as the temporar
retainer Of the salutary visitor; but she like man
others could afford but ranstory residence to th
/! magnificent treasure Of prosperity and happiness
u At length, when notonly Greece and Rome, br
" the whole eastern continent had become submert
It ed in the depths of tyranny and oppression, an
v freedom could not even secure a place where
Q erecta monument to her memory, bidding fni
adieu to the eastern world, she settled upon res
o dence amid the wilds Of the western continen
Disguised at the gorgeous robes ofimperal digpit,
and Knocked by the glittering pearls Of diadem
she fled into the land upon which the iron gras
! " of bondage had not been iretrieyably fastene'
: Although the seeds Of despotism had been sowr
! and were commencing to luxuriate, anterior
heHaiyal yet the afiability Of her address secure
7 her at least welcome in the hearts Of America
sons, But. strange asit may appear, tyranny, NJ
content with an eastern empire, pursuing her vii
IS desperate enmity, sought to exterminate the Ia
traces Of her name and existence, And here u