The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-01-31

debased and abandoned Gould STATE
enforce the observance of her laws when
she disregards The most solemn obliga-
lions! The arm Of justice would become
paralyzed when raised to execute the laws
of disgraced and dishonored state.
When the people have irreirievably lost
credit and character what have they TO al
tach them 10 the state! 1t is true their
farms and houses are untouched, but their
coun,ry's glory for which they would at
any time have sacrificed them, has been
lost and destroyed. They still have a
country, hut all tina. made it lovely has
been defaccd and furnished. Ii we refuse
to comply with the reasonable request OF
the bond.holders now, we cut off all com
munication with them hereafter. They
never will make US another offer Of assls-
lance if we refuse the present one.
am surprised TO see the apathy upon
this subject. Is there no longer a sense
of Justice among US Have We no pride
Of character! Has every noble feeling
of the soul been destroyed Are We to
forget our duty 10 God and man! Or
why this supincness when We see each
day adding to the amount of Our debt,
and increasing the weight Of our difficult
ties We are told we cannot pay--we
are not able Shall it be said that l00,-
600 able bodied men in the enjoyment Of
civil aud religious lberty--surroundod by
innumerable blessings and advantages,
and III III" possession Of the most choice
and abundant gifts, ever bestowed upon n
people by kind Providence, are unable
to pay one dollar each to save their char
acter, restore their credit and preserve
| their honor! Is such the manly vigor
which has Characterised the western PEG.
/ Pile They were wont in times Of peril,
to dare the dangers Of the western wllds
TO brave the fuIy Of the relentless saw
age and court the trials and hardships Of
a lores, life. Has the possession of com
! forts enleebled their energies has pros
periiy enervated and destroyed their no.
| BILE qualities. The western men have
been said to be brave, noble and gener-
Gus. Is it the part of bravery to look
upon uhing difficulties with childish
fears! Is it a trait of nobleness to seek
to delraud the innocent, unolIcndlng or
phan and destitute mother! Is it the
part of generosity 10 withhold with miser-
ly meanness that which properly belongs
to another!
Sir, we have a greater responsibility
resting upon us than ever rested upon any
people or nation. We have examples
before us that admonish us not to do
wrong. The reverence Of the Pilgrims
for duty and consciencc-the lofty love
of justice OF Penn and his associa,es-the
pure equity and constant regard for the
rights of all; and the high honor and chi.
valrlc bearing of the fathers Of the repub.
lic--all call out TO us not to bring disgrace
npon the children of such fathers. The
providence of Heaven which has led US
through feeble infancy-poured upon
US tide Of prosperity such as never
blessed any other people, and made us
millions from handlul-pursuades US
no, to repay this kindness by breaking
His law Of justice. The hopes Of man
kind that the grea, experiment Of self-goy-
eminent may succeed, and its influence |
extend to all parts of the world till al .
men are raised to freedom, and establish .
cd IN It's secure enjoyment, beseech Us
not to violate that principle Of justice .
which is the corner stone Of every free
government.
They warn US that they are cxlngush-
ing the light which had been klndled at
freedoms altar; that we are furnishing
TO Kings and MOBILES the bitter words of
contempt against all republics that we
are enabling them TO cay that because We
have no hereditary nobility, We have no
nobleness Of soul, hat because we have
abolished The laws Of primogenilure, we
can TO longer inherit the manly virtue Of
our fathers; that in republic nothing is
secure that 1t is not too much for such
people to yIola'e Gods eternal law, Tor
tho sake Of a base pecunIary advantage ;
and that if a people so descended, so
taught by experience, so educated by
schools aud churches. so prosperous and
proud, will sloop so low, how lille can
be expected of any other people who sho'd
attempt selfgovcrnment. Such Is the
language to which the friends OF free 90.
vcrnmen, abroad are forced to listen.
| hope, said Mr.. r., the committee
will give to this question the consideration
tina, its importance deserves. Its decision
mus, influence us for veal or woe for all
time TO come. hope we shall have the
moral courage to do right; and no, at
tempt to cvadc the responsibility that is