The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-27
Observation-Disclosures.

The historic remembrancers of the past unfold
to view the sources whence have originated those
efficient sovereignties or systems of government,
which by securing to the members of community
the exercise Of those important rights, and the
enjoyment OF those invaluable privileges, which
In state of nature the superior prowess or abili-
ties of some, actuated by passion or ambition
would inevitably wrest from their fellows, there
by guarantees that safety of persons and property
which is Characteristic of the most perfect civil
state. And as this contributes to the perfection
and happiness of man, it is, therefore, entitled to
the most untrIng exertions for its maintenance in
consonance with those principles of Justice, HUI
mainly, Patriotism, and Philanthropy, which
should ever reign Predominant in the hearts of
men. But the light of History, also unveils the
causes which have wrought the decline and over
throw of empires, and thus induc human misery
and degradation In the early annals of Persia
Greece, Rome, and multitude of other ma tons
we behold the sublimity and moral grandeur of
hat elevation of character, which NAV be attain
ed by people possessing exalted sentiments of
honor and integrity, and actuated by that patriot
&c devotedness to country which induces them to
cheerfully forego the sweets of civic life, and
hazard all for the common good. These thew
united with a system of Education in every res
pect adapted TO the development of those noble
qualities, by means of that mental and nh ysical
discipline which enabled the citizen not on " tn
understand and appreciate his rights, but al so to
defend those rights whenever, wherever. and bv
whomsoever they might chance to be invade |! |!
But how dismal is the contrast presented by III ose
nations, when, unmindful Of the heroic deeds of
their ancestors, they fursooI the tented fields tn at
they might squander life in inglorious sIoth. re-
posing on dOwny beds of ease. Then were Iai d
aside those arms which, in the hands Of real men
had long been invincbie, and INDUCING in dissi-
patton, ldleness, and extravaganza, they entrust
ed the national defence 10 mercenary hire1in,s
who, contendng not for their own inalienabIe
rights, but for paltry gold, Were necessarily de-
void of that enthusiastic love of liberty, and de-
tes!ation of tyranny, which constituted the eris
that had rendered the founders of those common
wealths invulnerable. Then it was that, neglect
ing to inculcate, and failing to act upon those
principles, on which the governmental fabrics had
been reared, and by an adherence TO which thew
might have been Perpetuated. they, like too MANY
at the present day, surrendered themselves to the
absolute domination Of incidence In order 70
avoid the labor Of investigation and indulge in
what they seem to have considered the sweets of
mental rePose and inactivity, or rather noneDtitv.
they rallied under the banner of some partisan
leader; and submitting to his dictum as the su-
premo law, and adopting his expressed opinions
as the measure Of justice and expediency, thew
became mentally and morally, if not corporeally.
slaves, debased and contemplate
Sunk far beneath the true dignity of human
nature, they became fit instruments in the hands
Of the designing for the accomplishment of tho
basest Of purposes They were prepared, upon !
any occasion, to support with rancorous aDnositv |