The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-04-14
1T is TINE TO AWAKE.

For the last half century, the People of this
country have been engaged in the experiment of
self government; in testing their capacity for
sustaining the character of sovereigns. As yet,
but comparatively little progress has been made
in the development and enjoyment of rational
freedom; we have long been free, nominally
upwards of sixty years have elapsed since the
important annunciation was made, that these
colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and
independent States! And yet what has since
been done-what advance have we made in the
principles of American liberty; what new lights
have been shed upon the science of self govern-
ment; what progress have we made in the prac-
tice of social equality, and in the onward, up
ward career OF regenerated humanity Alas
for the frailty of human nature our overween-
ing self-love, our national vanity, will feel it to
be bitter reproach to say that we have scarce
iy moved forward single step in the path OF
reform, since the declaration of American indie
pendence. However il may wound our nation
al pride to admit this; however anxious we
may be to deny it, it is not the less true We
have made little or no advancement in the pro-
mitigation and diffusion Of the principles of po-
hical and social equality, for the last fifty years
indeed, il is seriously questioned by some if we
have not, on the contrary, been retrogading
sliding gradually, almost imperceptbly even, but
not the less certainly, into the follies and inc
qualities of monarchy ridden Europe.
Well do we know how unwilling the Ameri..
can People will be 10 admit this; we have been
so long fia'ered and pulled up with eloquent al
lusions to freedom and liberty in our Fourth of
July oia,Ions, that we really imagine tina, our
political condition is perfection itself; beyond
all reach of human power to amend. This yo
luntary blindness must be removed at all
hazards; we must lift the veil which hangs be-
tween our eyes and truth, even though the view
beyond may starlle and amaze
But we have no time to-day, even if we had
room, to inflict aprosing essay upon our readers
We merely desire to keep ii before the Peypte.
that we have, as yet, oncompIeed the great
work our fathers began in '76; they only laid
the foundation, and we fold our arms and ina
CINE the works. done Why, we ought TO have
emancipa'ed the whole civilized earth before this
time by the omnipotent power of our ploriops
|
example, in the onward career of human inn
provement; and we should have done 60. had
we but been true to the spirit and genius of our
republican institutions.
In looking back for the last fifty wears unon |
the political battles which have been fouab,
what do we see2 Does il not seem as if the
great object of the leaders of all parties has been
more TO swell their ranks, add to their numbers
and get into office, than to advocate the prsa,
interests of the industrious, the prodpcino
classes Where, in the whole history of leo;s.
lation, for the last half century, either State or
national, do you find the lawmakers exerrinr
themselves in behalf Of the toiling millions
making laws for the general good, the greatest
good of the greatest number7 The leaders of
both political parties make high-soundipg pro-
fessions of love for THE PEopLE, while canvass.
ing for votes; both seem forgetfu of all this the
moment they reach the legislative hall Tpr
People win not always submit TO he dun.a
cheated, plundered; they viii one dav or OH,