Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1848-07-27

darkness and barbarism. The invention of
the printing press contributed essentially to
the dissemination of knowledge, and the
mind enfranchised from religious despotism,
was exercised in the study of the nature Of
civil government. Such were the changes
and improvements effected in the condition
of the people of Europe, when the discove-
ry Of America was announced. The ina
gina,ion excited by the songs of poets, had
conceived the idea, that vast and fruitful re-
gions lay unexplored beyond the ocean, and
Columbus, under the auspices of Ferdinand
and Isabella, undertook the discovery Of a
New World. An enterprise so bold and
magnificent has won for him imperishable
glory and renown. The discovery of Anne
RIGA, the most wonderful that maritime enter
prise ever accomplished, was necessary for
the establishment. Of free and republican prin-
ciples. The monarchies Of the Old World
were fixed upon too firm basis, to be era
dcated by the progress of liberal opinions.
They required new country where the
feudal law, and the principles and regula-
tons of old governments were unknown for
their growth and successful establishment
Though the colonization of America was
attended with innumerable obstacles and
difficulties, every inducemen, and encour-
agement was held out that could accelerate
its occupation. immense grants of land were
made to various companies, and charters
comforting almost absolute and unlimited
powers and privileges were bestowed to
further that object. The climate was re-
presented as congenial and healthy, and
the soil as an ineXhaus,ible bed of riches.
Fancy gilded its inmost recesses with every
precious mental, and the whole of Europe
was maddened and infatuated with the idea
of possessing them. The prosecutions
which had afflicted many, and the suferings.
trials and expressions they had to endure,
in the exercise of their relie ous opinions
and worship, were powerful incentive to
emigration, and gave TO America the charac-
ter of an asylum and refuge from tyranny.
All Of these causes combining and conspi-
ring together, gave resislless impulse to
its settlement.
The settlers Of this country were men Of
no mean intelligence nor information.-
Though not distinguished for their depth of
learning, nor excelling in scientific nor lite
rary atlainments, they were men of strong
minds and judgments, and had imbibed ex-
celen, ideas of civil liberty and government.
They were exiles from their homes and
friends, for the freedom Of conscience and
opinions, and tina, circumstance presents the
most striking and remarkable feature in their
lives and characters. The Pilgrim Fa-
lhers, who settled New England, were the
first to "covenant and combine themselves
together in civil body politic," and in the
language of an eminent historian, "gave
birth to popular constitutional liberty" In
the rude cabin of fral and slender bark,
by solemn and voluntary compact ''hu-
manity recovered its rights" and Instituted
government on the basis Of 'equal laws"
for the general good. A grateful poserity
yet cherishes the spot that marks their first
footsteps, and history bears honorable tes-
timony to their virtues, for,itude and their
suherings.
With the increase of the population,
wealth and importance of the Colonies, Great
Britain became more grasping in her pre-
tensions, and more oppressive in her govern
ment. The petitions of the Colonies for
their just rights and liberties, guaranteed to
them by various charters, were spurned with
indignant contempt, and their circumstances
against the imposition of taxes without, their
consent, made the government of Great Bril-
tain more tyrannical and arbitrary in its usur-
pa'ions. The crown, ever jealous Of its
power and prerogalives, regarded them ra-
Their in the light Of abject slaves than free
men. The Colonies established, and gov
erned by men of Ter exclusive appointment,
expected that protection and fostering care
from the mother country, SO necessary 10
their and then helpless condition. They
touchingly described their distressed situa-
ton, and enumerated their wrongs, injuries
and priva,ions, in no studied display Of elo-
quence, but in language most appropriate to
express their dependence and firm attach
men. TO her government. in vain did they