Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-02-24
PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
6eral0 Of tbe Gimes
RHODE 81 AND ER;
NEWPORT.

THE PATRIOTISM OF &c AND AS, CON
TRAsTED.-The patriotism which burned i'll
the bosoms of the Fathers of our Republic in
the era when she first claimed aplace among
the nations of the earth, contrasts strangely
and sadly with what new passes for patriotism
in these times political degeneracy. In days
of yore, all mere personal advancement and
aggrandisement were thrown far in the back
ground, and the men of our Revolution pledged
their lives their fortune, and their sacred
honor" to the cause they so noby espoused.
This was not mere wordy defamation,
theoretical sentiment, which, in practice, van-
ished into thin air, like the "baselcss fabric
of a vision" but was carried out in all its
length and breadth and no sacrifice was too
great, no suffering too intense, they indeed
courted death ITSELF and often confronted his
messenger with complacency in his most ap-
palling forms, in their wonderful struggle to
erect in this western World free Republic :,
around whose Institutions the oppressed of all
Nations might find refuge. As the birthday
of that matchless Chicftain approaches, whose
ability and wisdom under Providence, led to
the success of our fathers, We are naturally
induced to contrast the sclf-dcvotion, the pa
triotsm and principle which guided his con-
duct and influenced his acts and those Of his
compecrs, with the selfish and ambitious
views of those who now sway the Sceptre in the
National Councils. Their professions TO the
ear of the people breathe indeed the purcst
patriotism, but with a few honorable cxcep-
tions, they arc as empty as the wind, and II
they only answer their immediate end, these
politicians cxult scli-complaccnty over their
success, and laugh at the crCdulity and sim
plcity of their enlightened and respected con-
stituents Were both Houses Of Congress to
set apart an hour On the birth day Of WASH
ISGroS and unite together, i'll imitation of the
Legislature of the keystone State, for the
purpose of listening to the words of instruction
and wisdom which are brcathcd in his farewell
address, they might draw thercfrom the most
salutary lessons, and pcrchancc catch a portion
of the spirit which inspired It's illustrious au-
thor 1t would seem as if our modern States
men had mostly overlooked that precious and
priceless legacy. There they are warned of
the dangers to which our Institutions would
be exposed in the most impressive and affecting
language No terms of cuogy could do JUS
tce to the pure and lofty spirit which dictated
that matchless and final appeal of the Father
of his country, in which he seemed to speak
with almost prophetic truthlulness and inspira-
ton. And now have his counsel and admonl-
tons been needed Let the honorcd Chief
Magistrate of this afflicted nation, which is
suffering so intensely in blood and treasure
from his warlke policy and ambitious designs
against a SISTER REPUBLIC, answer the SOL
emn question. All. the thousands who have
pershed from pestllcnce and the sword on the
plains and heights and mountain passes of un-
happy and distracted Mexico, answer it
most touchingly, most emphatcally, as do the
tears of the widow and the orphan whose pro-
tectors have perished perhaps amid the fright
ful scenes of Monterey, on the sanguinary field
of Buena Vista, or the bloody heights of Ccrro
Gordo, where il is indeed true that deeds of
daring and herosm were performed which vie
with any ever recorded on the page of History,
in connection with which the names Of Taylor
and Scott shine out in bold relief, whose
greatest glory, however, was their humanity
in victory, and their ardent desire TO establish
peaceful relations with those over whom their
skill and valor had trlumphsd. And IT Is the
glory ofour arms acquired 50 dearly, at the ex-
pense of so much blood and treasure, which is
relied on TO keep the people IN love with CON
ouest that banc of all Republics hitherto, and
TO which there is great reason to fear, our own
fair and beautiful inheritance may not long prove
an exception. \ dense cloud now darkcns our
horison. There is reason to fear that il may rise
to the zenith and eventually oycrsprcad our
sky and envelope in chccrlcss night the star
which promised so much of true glory and free
dom "a catastrophe that would rejoice the
hearts OF tyrants in other lands who have long
watched our career with intense interest and
apprehension.
DEATH or REv. XErHISiAH SwWT.-1his'
venerable clergyman died at Derby, Conn, on
Monday, tho 9Th inst, aged ~ years. He.
was the frs, child born in Wilmington, VI.
Jan. Goth, III was graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1902, aud ordained pastor Of The
church in Rovbury in 1896 ; he had been min
lister of the gospel moro than half century
We derive ,hesa f4cts from ih3 Derby, CT
Journal