The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-02

use In the same manner air 10 free 10 all, though
the means of enjoying il to our highest satisfaction
and greatest benefit-such as windows, fans, public
squares, and favorable grounds-may cost some
thing, and are, therefore, commercial values. In
the same manner also all the provisions, offices, and
agencies of nature, such the and rain pro-
duce and fructify; winds, rivers, and oceans, to
facilitate navigation and transport the earth and
all its wealth, superficial, subterranean, and sub
marine; every product and arrangement of the
Creator, properly called Providence-al these sup
plies and agencies ministering to the wants and
gratifying the desires of man, cost him nothing be-
fore they have been appropriated by regulations of
the social compact They are not therefore, reck-
oned among commercial values but are rather a
basis on which, and instruments by which the labor
Of man produces such values''
MIR. Cotton makes distinction between liberty
and freedom, which is, perhaps, worthy of pass
ing remark. To common ears it would be sur
PRISE II one should say that the march of freedom
is the abridgment of liberty; and yet it will be
found that this is the result of the multiplication OF
those rights in which freedom consists For exam
pie: 'Take the right" is the notice which one
reads in entering bridge to cross river. II is
statute regulation, made for the convenience and
benefit Of all parties which annihilates the liberty of
".
established for common good-it abridges liberty
''The liberties of the country" as commonly un-
derstood, doubtless mean the same thing as free
dom; but liberty, in the singular number, and with
too many who shouting for it, borders on licen-
tiousness and is often taken to mean, to do as
pleases II is not liberty of this kind, but rights
established for the good of all, which constitute
freedom; and just in proportion as these rights are
multiplied, as shown above, liberty is abridged A
man is not at liberty to violate any of those
rights-and this is freedom.
Now, Messrs. editors the bearing of this topic,
as stated and illustrated above. the protective
policy, and the identity Of that policy with the
maintenance of freedom, think must be obvious to
all. The body and soul of freedom lie in CONNER
cial rights and commercial values-do they? That
is very important point, fundamental fact. Are
men, Americans, jealous for freedom? Do they
think 1t worth keeping, guarding, PROTECTING!
Why, sirs, this reasoning, methinks has one Of the
virtues of Leslie's "Short method with the Deists "
II is at least short, and think il will be allowed
that it is simple Freedom ies-where? In COM
mercal rights and commercial values; and, know
ing where il is, we have only to inquire how it is
best maintained protected, nourished, edited, and
extended. Surely it will not be pretended that it
requires care, culture, shield that it is to
be left open and exposed to assault; that it is not
valuable acquisition, to be guarded and put to use;
that it is not precious deposite, to be defended
against all booters that it not the gem of all
gems, to be worn on the finger with pride, and to
sparkle from the bosom with dazzling lustre; that
the price of freedom is not eternal vigilance.
say, Messrs. editors, that we have got something
of an important practical bearing, and of high i'm
port, for statesmen to think of in this definition of
freedom, lift be correct one. II goes down to the
very bottom of our institutions; it mounts to the
highest peak of the temple; it pervades the entire
edfce; it breaches from the altar there; it pro-
phesies; it admonishes and invites the errng; and
it imposes fearful responsibility on those to whom
is given in charge momentous trust.
AU REVOIR.