The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-01-31

Mr.. OConaeli, SO much beloved by Ireland upon
the faith Of this mock Judicial procedure, subso
quenty imprisoned. But still ireland remained at
peace. This Association rejoic~s that the time has
now gone by when the sword and the strong hand
the only arbters Of mems fortunes, aud that they
have yielded large part Of their ieuds and bsrbarc
sway, To the moral power Of enlightened opinion
This day, we siacerely hope, has gone forever by
when stsr-chamber nqusitions exist anywhere \
in The civilized world, and when the rack and dun
geon can longer be the torurng ministers Of post
facto laws, The British government made a false
STEP 1t failed in its exocrabe object: O'Connelps
Imprisonment made friends even in England among
the people, TO the cause, ard the subsequent forced
acti N OF the House Of Lords in pronOuDcing Mr..
O'ConnelI's acquittal and release from confinement
only served to give powerful impetus the 10 Repeal
movement. But Irelands independence alone can
dissipate the evils which prey upon, and which have
SO long blasted her fortunes Shall this Assoc iation
be disappointed In the hope that, after this uncoored
statement OF her wrongs, any American citizen who
understands the horrors of tyranny and the blessings
of freedom, will fail 10 lend 10 Ireland in the time Of
her need the benefit Of at least his favorable opinion
This Association in the third and last place present
Repeal az an American question. We believe il TO
be the first OF Amer can principles encourage and
to make prosslytes throughout the world to the Re-
publican faith. Every free government established
among nations is bulwark of American liberty
serving to strengthen the principle OF free institutions
by enlarging the domain of freedom. This effort on
the part of Ireland to renstate herself in the Of
legislative Independence, Dut modified EXPRESSION
of RepubIIcaDism. 1t 50 happens that with the
means of enlightenment and Irogress now 10 Tho
world the popular step must every where be onward.
Nula vestigia retrorsum, is an expression perfect
y true in this respect the action Of any law of
ture. Let LELAND establish an independent legsla.
ture and The people thus taste of comparative liberty
and the rest is certain to follow that The rising
of the sun follows the dawn of morning. We do not
place this view of the question any particular ia
vor to be exhibited towards Ireland but upon gene
,,..lI = .orO
Greece or those of England herself, awakening to a
just sense of their mpor, ance, make struggle for
the accomplishment Of their freedom, we do not per-
ceve upon what ground of moral duty or Of political
interest any citizen IN America impressed with the
spirit and example of American government could
fail to smile the warmth of his appreciation upon such
an effort
Besides this Association cannot but feel that fact
OF much Importance calculated deeply to affect their
view of this SUBJECT has lately pressed itself upon the
consideration of the great mass of our people, Pass
ing events leave it no longer piobematical that
test has now actually commenced between the prin-
clpes OF free government and of the old established
but corrupt system Of monarchy to which shall
hereafter furnish The plan of government under which
civilized man shall live. The Republic of the nlted
States may be considered the powerful represent alive
Of he principles of free institutions. The dynas ies
Of Europe may be regarded imbodying those strong
but Eve hope) waning elements of government, The
remains of the feuda ages, which declare that ma
ton is made for the benefit of the ruler not the ruler
for the nation.
This contest has not yet is true, been very sensi-
bly, felt In America, much less indeed than in Eu-
rope where the people by the force of our ex-
ample, are everywhere arming against their respec-
tive governments but the crisis destined at no dis
tant day, inevitably 10 approach, and Chrisendom
will be shaken by the hunders of that great struggle.
Already we think we perceive an effort the part
OF foreign government to the seeds of intestine
broll among the States of this Union. 1t is not to be
supposed that Kings and Queens and Emperors and
royal families legitimate and Legitimate will surren-
der their wealth, their honor and their rule without
making desperate resistance in preservation of their
magnificent monopolies. Forgetting all matters of
minor difference among themselves, they will COM
blne their powers and make one tremendous rally if
no more, to stay the advancing tide of popular pro-
gres' and to save their crowns and royal preroga-
tives; In this conflict it is possible that the United
States may be destroyed either by falling victim to
the snares of diplomacy laid to propagate internal d.
Visions among the States, to the power of foreign
sword. 1t is perfectly evident to us and we think il
must be so to every class of our countrymen that il
no adverse action be taken, if natural events suf
Tered to march on with an unimpeded progress, that
quarter OF century will not elapse before free go
vernment will be established in the larger portion of
Europe. Is It rational TO suppose that those persons
who now enjoy such immense personal benefits ,om
those false systems will yield them without severe
and long contested conflict The interest of one Of
the European monarchs in this particular is the in
terest OF all IL one Of these establishments of gov
eminent were to become revolutionized, it would
violently affect the stability of every other. he
Russian despot Is nearly as much interested in
preventing revolution in England or in France. as
IN Russia itself. If those persons who claim
I" to rule legtmaiey by the grace of God"
do not understand these truths now results which
must necessarily transpre will presently teach them
a lesson not moment to be neglected We think il
can scarcely be doubted from the pre- signs of the
times, that many of these Princes are awaking to a
full knowledge of their situation In the meantime
America being forewarned is forearmed. IL this
great and happy Republic established by the Sages
and Patriots who achieved their and our indepen-
dence through long and bloody war; and who have
perPetuated the browning glory and usefulness Of
their lives in the noble Institutions around u.s.
Republic erected on the experience of eigh-
Teen hundred years be destroyed within one
century OF its foundation, there sn end of Liberty
Ihose who have conended and who do now as their
chef Argument, CONTEND that ''monarcby is the natu-
raj form OF governm Mt for man, - and that Republics
are short lived because of he inherent weakness of
their constitution, and no have already been thus dr-
ven TO The last pedent ofhe Cssost that at scks The
weak nesset of an opposite theory instead of showing
the inmate strength of his own, will be sustained by
at least comparative truth.
lfmonsrchy be not the natural form Of government
'of man, VIII be apparently shown that The idea Of
a Republic, Instead of being a substance is a mere
shadow. Under these circumst ances when Their. il
80 much al stake, not only vitality affecting Others now
'ng ana Their poerty TO come, bot so gravely con-
ee,npg our own National Prosperity and happiness,
IS 1t not sound position we ASSUME, when we urge
Repeal as an American que ton /, il mo-, cIe,,Iv tho
policy OF the United STATES to create friend and allies
IN Europe, or wherever else in the world such friends
and allies may be made by all honest and proper means
v" bin their power, preparing with wise forecasls
under 'he wisdom Of the motto, fore warned, fore
armed for any exgency that NAV nris,a
4 ms Association cannot conclude this address with
on, declaring that whatever course policy, love Of
order, and sincere desire show themselves submis-
sive not only to the letter. but the spirit ofthe laws
may nave induced them as good citizens of this Com.
"on"ea''h, 10 pursue that nevertheless the Repeal
spirit was never more fully alive among our body, or
the society IN a more hourishiog condition Our nun.
oers amounting TO many thousands are undimnis
our energies undated, and pu pose to use ey.Iy