The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-11

dollars.
HUNT's MERCHANTS MAGAzINE.--We
have always considered this work one Of the
most (if not the most valuable publications
in the country. We have not yet had leis-
ure to peruse the November number, but
from hasty glance at its contents, we feel
assured that it will sustain the reputation
which the work has deservedly acquired.
For the Columbian Fountain.
TRIBUTARY.
Bondage has been one Of the distinct ele-
ments of the government of the human
family since the forfeiture of Eden. Vol
untary, or involuntary servitude has been
given or exacted, in some degree, by all.
Supreme laws could not restrain mans vile
ness in his infancy of years, nor subdue
that arrogance and asperty of his nature
which was the consequence of the assump-
ton Of self-government in more advanced
age Self-governmen was found to be i'm
practicable, not for the want of law, but for
the want of some one to execute the law.
The compact was entered into, and intellect
was summoned to form jurisprudence by
which peace, order and harmony might be
preserved The arm Of the law was made
strong, and justice was clothed with author
| ity; but their bands were broken asunder.
God varied his plans and multiplied instru-
ments; changed his dispensations and re-
newed his covenant; turned his law into
grace and sent his Spirit into the world :
and vet there is want of independence and
courage on the part of man to be free.
Though the royal proclamation has gone
forth, sin and misery are found in company,
and men entertain them both The history
Of crime commenced near about the time
that the history Of our race commenced, and
has kept pace with rapid rolling years, and
still maintains its seat on the career-chariot
of mans veal or woe. One nation boasts
of power, and another boasts of liberty.
The one enthrones what might she has, and
spends her glory with prodigality; the other
rolls in freedoms car, and groans in pas
sion's fetters If liberty was born in chains,
she is not compelled to wear them. Though
she has thrown down the gauntlet, and
bears in her right hand the olive branch Of
peace, she has sword for every foe, and
will fight, as she is sworn to do, till every
despot quits the field, or welters in his
blood. Every age has had its cause of deep
and thrilling interest; its men of noble
souls, whose lofty aim has been to arrest
the progress Of misery and woe, and to
teach their fellows how to fight against
their faults, and how to foil their enemies
and thus host of philanthropic spirits have
embraced cause which at first bore but slight
support. A single mind, well trained in
moral science, may move with engine power
cause, the result of which, in time, can
only be known by moftals in eternity.
True, the guardians Of earth's children and
their interests have kept faithful vigils, and
the chosen patriots have contested closely
with other powers and their emissaries; but
evils, small in their beginning, have ad-
vanced, almost unperceived, to the very cen
tire of the camp, and there have feasted up
on the finest Of the wheat, magnifed them
selves, and have taken away for spoil the
tallest of the cedars,
Intemperance may be numbered amongst
the greatest evils that has ever visited the
haunts of human happiness 1t has be-
sieged every portion of the globe, raised its
standard in every nation, visited every class,
station and rank, led into captivity whole
cities; sent her arrows, barbed in the Upas
of death, to the homestead of the innocent;
and, with pestiferous breath, withered the
dearest prospect Of once fourishing and
rapid spreading community. We have fol-
lowed after it in its march, tracing it by the
ruins and miseries which it left in every
valley and on every mountain. We found
the harps that were once tuned to songs of
merriment, hanging upon the willows. The
monster had turned deaf ear to the weep
ing mother, Knocked the smitten father, and,
regardless Of the signing sons and daught-
ers, turned the blooming Eden into lonely
wilderness.
Those alone who see evils search for rem
edies; but who, seeing whole world bowed
down under any epidemic, would have faith
enough even to think of restoration In
some instances, if the affected can't be saved,
we can prevent, measurably, the progress of
the cause.
Simples sometimes are the best restora-
tives. The Pledge, as an instrument, is
very simple: as remedy, it is sovereign.
The great commonwealth of the world has
been stung by the adder, and bitten by the