The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-02
[ COM MUNIoArEp.
The New Year.

The circumstances under which the year 1850
commences are fitted TO awaken the deepest inter
est in the bosom of every American citizen Near
iy seventy years ago distinguished philosopher
and divine Of liberal and enlarged views, Rev viii
ham Paley, called the attention Of the world 10
what he truly denominated can experiment about
10 be tried IN America on large scale" The ex-
pertinent was POPULAR LIBERTY. II was whether a
powerful and widely extended republic could be
maintained along with the enjoyment Of genuine
freedom. If that mind which SO eloquently taught
us to look through the book of Nature and of Reeve
aton up to the God of Nature and Of Revelation ia
now permitted to contemplate the result of the ex
pertinent, with what emotions Of wonder must it be
filled! He saw in the formation of this Government
the nearest resemblance ON earth to a genuine So
cial compact not as an airy felton, but funda-
mental fact ON the basis of which structure might
be reared as durable as the rights and obligations
OF man. That structure has risen to the view of the
world, and along with its elevation has gradually
gathered strength and durability. The storms Of
party have indeed ragged, bat the beams of propi-
tious heaven have prevailed the thickest tenn
pest. The cloud of war has lowered around IT, but
only to precede a sweeter sunshine of peace. The
citadel has been assaulted, but only TO unite in firm
er bonds the hearts and hands that defend H. We
arc spectacle to the nations of the earth; we are
freedom of thought and opinions if equal rights if
civil social, and religious liberty; if the means of
education, Of moral and intellectual elevation in a
wide sense; if free and unterrifed legslation IL
the unbribed dispensation of justices if the revela
ton of the Holy Biblc--be blessings of a high and
inestimable character, then do we enjoy them
Even those who in other days have made light of
our institutions, and of the working of our form of
government, have length been compelled to lower
their naughty tone of remark and to render the
homage we have fairly earned. They are begin
ming even to rise to the height of eulogy since they
can do 1t in strain which will link that euogy TO
merits OF their own. recent number of the Lon
don Quarterly Repiec remarks: 'sThe Anglo Saxon
race alone seems gifted with the power of building
up for duration free institutions in the two majestic
forms of an ancient constitutional monarchy and of
new federal republic. To each its station has been
manifestly appointed by irrepealabe laws, and by
the force of uncomfortable circumstances
The conclusion at which we arrives still growing
establishment at the of this great country
Here--ls an immense continent--not, like old Asia
at times oyershadowed into seeming unity by some
one Assyran, or Babylonian, or Persian, or Ma
hometan empire; and at the death of the great con-
queror or at the expiration at least of his dynasty
breaking up again into conflicting kingdoms, or
almost reduced to the primitive anarchy of hostile
tribes; not, like Europe, attaining something like
unity, first by the consolidating and annealing
power of the Roman empire, and afterwards in
wider but less rigorous form by the church,; in
later times, by the balance of power among the
great monarchies-a balance only maintained by
perpetual and immense military establish
hshments in times of peace The New World is
born as it were one-a federation with much of the
rigor of separate independent States, with no ne
cessary, no hereditary principles of hostility, but
rather bound together by the strongest community
OF interests; one in language, one in religion-for
from the multiplicity of sects must result GER :
tain unity-at least religious difference spread
equally over the land cannot endanger political
unity. Her past-had il but given birth to
w AsHINGToN-wouldhav have been no in glorious past"
Such Is the picture drawn by no partial hand
We need not amplify it. Seff graduation may well
give way to an all-pervadsng sentiment of graft
tude to-day We gather round our fresides, not
only to participate in the bounties of Providence,
but TO enjoy the higher feast Of the interchange of
the social affections While many will look on the
sweet domestic circle, joyful and thankful that it
remains still unbroken by the hand of death, the
eyes of others viii be dimmed with sssome natural
tears they behold the vacant chair, and rcmem-
Der that the grave has claimed during the past year
some chcrishcd one, 70 love and to lament wa,utn
still privilege, Of which the grave tself cannot
bereave the tender hearts OF survivors, Even af
fiction is endeared by the fragrant recollection of
the virtues OF the departed and the earthly reunion
beautifully adumbratcs the perfect reunion of the
good in heaven.
To our respected Chief Magistrate, and to others
Gin authority" well 10 those citizens in pri-
vate life who tender the Inequalities of the season.
Thousands will repair, forgetting-for one day at
least, day sacred to friendship and TO social vir-
tues-all party differences, and merging all dis
cordant opinions in the genial harmony of the oc-
casion. May the light of each successive New
Year of all future time beam auspiciousy on hap
Ply and prosperous republic, while disunion shall
lie buried in its ignobe grave and the twin stars of
LIBERTY and UNION remain in perpetual ascend
ant over the horizon of this broad and blessed land
j. N ID