Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-05-14
vol. XVI
What is to Become Of Our Country :
By JUDGE STORY.

When we reflect on what has been. and what
is, how is it possible not to feel n profound sense
of tho responsibilities ofthis republic to all future
ages! What vast motives press upon US for of
~ efforts-what brilliant prospects invite our en-
thusiasm-what solemn warnings at once domaine
our vigilance and moderate confidence!
The old world has already revealed to us in its
unsealed books, the beginning and the end of al
marvellous struggles in the cause Of liberty
Greece! lovely Greece,-,hc land of scholars anC
the nurse Of arns--where sister republics in fai
procession, cnanted the praise Of lber,y--whcre
is she!
For two thousand years tho oppressors have
bound her TO tho earth. Her arts more.
Tho last sad relics of her temple bu, the bar
ricks ola ruthless soldiery; the fragments of her
columns and palaces in dust, yet beautiful in
ruin. She fell not when tho mighty upon
her. Her sons united at ThermopylH and
Ma ration. and tho tide Of hcr triumph rolled
back upon her Hellespont.--She fell by the hand
of her own peoplc.-The man Of Macedonia DID
no. the work of destruction. 1t was already
done by her own corruptions, Punishment and
dissentIOnS.
Rome republican Rome! whose eagles glanced
in the rising sun--where and what is she! The
eternal city yet remains,-proud even in her des
olation, noble in decline, venerable In the maJcs-
ty of religion. and calm as IN the composure o
death-The malaria has travcrsed in tho paths
won BY the destroyers. Moro than IS centuries
have rnourned over tho loss of tho empire. A
mortal disease was upon her before Caesar h ad
crossed tho Rubicon, and Brutus did not r estore
her health by the deep probings of tho Senate
chamber. Tho Goths and Nandals, and the
Huns. the swarns Of tho north. only complete ted
what was begun at home. Romans betrayed
Rome. The le3ons wore bought and sold, bat
the people paid the tribute money.
And whore arc he republics Of modern times
/ Il f,Ix i
Genoa exist but in name. The Alps, indeed.
look down upon tho brave and peaceful Swiss IN
their native Businesses, but the guaranty of their
freedom is in their weakness and not IN their
strength. The mountains not easily retain
ed w hen the invader comes, he moves like the
avalanche, carrying destruction in his path The
| pcasantrv sink before him.-Thc country, too, is
too poor for plumber, aud too rough for valuable
conquest Nature presents her eternal barrier
on every side to check the wantonness of ambi-
lion. And Switzerland remains with her simple
ins,itutions,--a military road to climates scarce
Nv worth permanent possession, and protected
by the lea lousy of her neighbors.
We stand tho latest. and if we fall, probably
the last example Of selfgovernmcnt by tho peo-
ME- We havo begun it under circumstances of
tho most suspicious nature. We are in the vigor
of youth. Our growth has never been checked
bv the oppression Of tyranny. Our constitutions
mover have been enfccbcd by the vices uxu-
ries Of tho world.
Such as we are we have been from the begin
ming simple, hardy. intelligent, accustomed 10
self government, and self respect. The Attain
tic rolls between and formidable foe. With
our own territory. stretching through many de-
grccs Of latitude, have tho choice of many
products and many means OF independence.
Tho Government Is mild. The press is free;
knowl dge reaches, or may reach every home:
w hat fairer prospects of success could be pre-
eopfcd1 What = than for the
people to preserve what thoy themselves have Gro
a.edl
Already has the ago caught the spirit Of out
institutions. 1t has assembled tho Andes, and
snuffcd tho breeze of both oceans. 1t has in
fused itself into tho ife-blood of Europe. and has
warmed the sunny plains of France, and tho low
lands Of Holland. 1t has touched the philosophy
of Germany and the north, and moving onward
toward tho south. has opened Greece the lessons
of her better DAYS.
Can it be that America, under such circumstan-
COS betroy herself That she is to be added TO
the catalogue Of republics the inscription upon
whose ruin is, .'they were but they not!
Forbid it my coun.rymen! Forbid it heaven!
call upon you. Fathers. by the shades Of your
ancestors, by he dear ashes which ropose in this
precious soil, by all you hope to be, resist every
attempt to fetter your conscience, smother your
public schools, or extngnish your system ofpublic
instruction.
Cali upon on. MOtficTS DE tlEit VII iCii ijGf u
fails in woman, the love of your offspring to teach
them they climb upon your knees to lem on
your bosom. the blessings Of liberty. Swear
them at the altar. with the baptismal vows. 10
be truc 10 their country. and never forsake her.
call upon you young men TO remember whose
We are. and whose blood flows in your veins.
Life never be too short which brings nothing
but disgrace and oppression. Death never
como too soon, if necessary. in defence of our
country.
The Rhode Island Legislature will meet on
Monday, tho 9th instant. Tho most impor,an.
question which will come before it will be the
liberation of Dorr.
Professor Esny SAYS fires that occur during