Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-08-07
OUR TRUE MISSION.

open and uadisguised, at other times in the decep-
tive strains OF I" our manifest destiny" 1t is our
manifest destiny" say these propagandiss, to
occupy and govern the whole of the North Ameri-
can continent. Our territory is too small, too con-
tracted, to give fun development to the energies of
ouryoung Republic. We want more room; our in
sttutons must be extended over the whole continent.
That there is large party in favor of this poll
cy, and who are resolved, at the hazard of all that
Americans should hold dear, to carry il out no OBJ
server of the signs OF the lines can for moment
doubt. Now, we are as devoted to the cause of re-
publicanism as warmly attached to our institutions
as the most enthusiastic of these propagandsts
but we love our country too dearly we appreciate
too highly the blessings conferred upon us by our
glorious constitution, to hazard them in wild at
tempt to spread them, by sword and by fire, over
other lands less favored than our own.
What is the true mission of our country Not
as the advocates of conquest contend, to wage war
upon others not to engage in crusade against the
institutions of other countries. The great princi-
pie upon which our Republic is based is the right,
inherent in the people, of selfgovernment. We
took up arms in defence OF this right against the
mother country; and career of seventy-one years
has taught the enemies Of freedom lesson in the
science of government which, if left to work its
own silent yet sure influence, will finally olsen
thral the oppressed Of all nations Those who adj
vocate the extension ofrepubcansm by conquest
who seek to spread our free institutions by the
sword-forget that in SO doing they would under
mine the very foundations of the great political
fabric which our forefathers have erected If we
would spread abroad the blessings of republcansm,
it must be done by good example by strictly adj
herring to the principles upon which our Govern
ment is established by observing justice and honor
and truth-not by oppression and war.
Our example has had glorious effect through
out the world. Monarchs have been made to yield
to its influences; old dogmas, founded in tyranny
and utter disregard Of the rights of man, have in
manyinstances been abrogated by it and the proud
imperial oppressor been made to acknowledge the
claims of humanity and lift his foot from the necks
of the down-trodden.
Never before has political reform made such gi-
gantic strides in Europe as in this age-impeled,
we believe by the example of the United States.
Wholesome, safe, and peaceful authorizations
every day being made in civil and political reforms.
The people of the old world are every where giving
signs of advancement-gradual, healthful, but
tain advancement. Truth is slowly working its
changes. The Sword has failed, and Reason takes
the sway. Even Kings are uniting with the Peo-
pie in the efforts for reform-some willingly, some
through necessity. The Pope is among the fore
most in the work, and, if he goes on as he has be-
gun, history will award him the first rank in the
list oil polllcal relormerS.
OF the progress of political freedom in Europe
the following extracts from the European Cores
pondent of the Charleston Is. c.. Courier conveys,
we doubt not truthful picture
"The Romans after the long ages of deep political and
ca abasemen in which they have been sunk cannot all at
be safely trusted with wings Gddy their wings and
dazzed with its light if the of liberty be up
them, in all its glory, they may fly into it and be consumed
Let hope that the wisdom of Pope Plus IL aided by the
readng influence of the conservative party and by the
maevoen influence of reogade Austria, will the Ro
mans from so sad fate.
| The correspondent thus speaks Of Prussia:
GAS for Prussia no fear need be entertained for her. The
Prussians moderate, rejecting, and comparatively
ghtened people They have too enlightened and anna
bydspoed King But monarch could stop their pro-
gress Obstinate ndscmnate opposition to the reform
in his kingdom would but prove the blindness of the
monarch and peciptae his ruin The last accounts from
Berlin of the most satisfactory character II is interesting
and instructive contemplate the march Of events in that
kingdom The struggle between the great principles Of popu
lar rights and royal prerogave not only witnessed in the
Diet and among the people, but cleary-and perhaps is
there the sugge-n the breast of the King himself
His intentions evidently good he wishes and aims the
webeing of his subjects he is more than halpersuaded
that that webeng and his true glory consist yielding
to his benevolent impulses the wishes Of his people, and
the demands of the age But how ondy he clngs the
despotc traditions amid which he born and reared, and
by which he surrounded How 10th part with the fat
teng insignia Of absolute power and in practice,
and in theory, the royal maxim of past age Letat
| c'est moi :"
In Bavaria the march of reform is onward. The
correspondent of the Courier states that on the 18th
of May, the anniversary of the granting of the Ba-
varian constitution his Majesty gave orders to have
great and salutary measure promised some time
ago-the separation of the administrative from the
judicial power-carried into effect. At the same
time an ordinance was issued prescribing that the
proceedings in all the courts of law, civil and crmi
nal, should be public.
In Belgium too, according to the same authority,
changes quite in favor of popular liberty quietly
progressing by the force Of public opinion. The
legislative body Of this kingdom is constituted,
that elections for members of the two houses take
place every two years. The electoral law also pro-
vides that there shall be deputy for every 10000
inhabitants, and one senator for every $4,000.
Italy, too, the land of romance, of beauty, and Of
art-sacred to all lovers of antiquiy-is awaking
from her long slumbers and asserting her rights. So
in Tuscany Switzerland, and many other countries,
the cause popular freedom gorously progressing
! How the contemplation Of these prospects in the
Old World must make the heart of every American
swell with pride when he reflects that our example,
our noble Government, has contributed to the great
work, not by Blood. and arms, and conquests, but
by the peaceful slow, yet certain influence Of De-
mocratic institutions. But, if the propagandiss of
the present day succeed in their purposes ifthe
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