The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-02-24
For The CecU.Whie.
FERPETUrTY OF REFURLICAWIsM

Connected with anything earthly,
perpetuty Is a strnnge word Nothing,
save change, is perpetual, and regular
round of changes seems to attach Itself to
all things with which we are acquainted
thus apparently shutting out all hope OF
heightened existence under a constant
form.
This tendency to change winch seems
insepa'able from all created things and
which is one of the grand distinctions
between the Creator and His creatures
manifrsts it-eif in a constant series of
progression. The duration of all things
animate aud inanlmale, exhibits periods
OF growth or decay, winch NAV be con
srdpred as represented by thu bud, bios
SONS. frniiage and decay Of plants, or the
regular variations Of the seasons.
This succession is visible not merely
in the world Of nature, bu, not less evil
dently in the rise, progress and decline
of clvilzat,on: the origInation, ado ,tion
prevalence and abandonment Of fashions
in dress and modes Of thought and
speech; m the infancy, progress and ne
glect OF the fine arts, and in the science
Of human government as it has originat-
ed. been improved and forgotten IN the
various nations whose names dot the
chart ofthe worlds history.
Various forms Of government, suited
by the overriding hand of an Allwise
Providence to the various stages Of hu
man Improvement, have risen upon the
sage, acted their part in the heaven-di-
rected plan. and are classed among the
things TO be remembered rather than ex-
perienced.
The patriarchal. the theocraical. the
sacrrdo'al, the oliearchical, have each
in turn held men in srfi"ctron to author
ity, hut they are fast fading into the dim
cloudand of the past, soon TO be named
only with tn" mnmmies, pyramids, BIZ
bells and Ninrods orbye-gnne ages. The
regal too is becoming SIRE and yellow as
the foliage ofautumn, and already tr"mb-
ling like an aspen leaf, will ere long be
overthrown by the breath Of popular
opinion. and the lofty tree which had
been Eourishrd by the blood and sweat
of slaves: will enrich the soil from which
those very slaves and their liberated
children, may by patient toll and earnest
manly effort, raise rich harvest OF free
dom, and send the seed-corn down to
the remotest generation.
The tendency in the soul OF man to
long for liberty, has shown itself here
and there. as the world has pressed ca
gerly f,rward in its strife for improve
ment. This stream of life flowed for
while in shallow rivuets in the land of
Homer and Plato, rushed in turbid tor
rent through the city of the seven hills,
and tarried for little by the cottages
OF the Switzers, to nourish that spirit of
Independence which has kept Europe at
bav.
The spirit ofthe Gospel is prepminent-
ly spirit of freedom. Teaching 10
man--to universal man, the true import
ance which God attaches to humanity
IN its individual capacity, it calls upon
him to act for himself in promoting his
own happiness bott for time and eter-
nifty, and makes him accountable at
~ iouiiui tIIdu liIdL vi HldIl. WIN
out attacking any existing form Of gov
eminent, it moulds the hearts and minds
OF men, at once giving them the inclina.
ton and the power TO be free.
ne Pnrl'ans had caught this spirit,
and to them England owes so much of
freedom as she now boasts.
1t is to this Puritan spirit which caus-
ed ITS poSsessor to ''pr.,strate himself in
the dust before his maker but to set his
foot on the neck Of his king" that we
may trace the love OF liberty and CON-
t.mpt of assumed dignit,es, which is ex-
pressed by the oft repeated words, 'ihe
spirit of'7G.'
A "pure demncracie" first found its
model in the religious societies Of the
early Christians. and when the Refnrrna-
ton tore away the worse than useless
trappings which Rome had heap"d upon
the church, men saw aud felt its beauty