The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-04-10
Our Country-Her influence and
Destiny.

Destiny.
An address deiiuered by WILLIAM H. SHoEMA.
xER, in the Court. Hotse at bloomsbury, al
N/he public examination of Mr.. Bradley's
= scholars, on Friday evening, Mareh 2Sfh,
1851.
All is calm, and serenity reigns throughout
the whole of nature. But yonder, far in the
distant heavens, appears a dark cloud as a
speck on the great blue arch above. Ttisnot
noticed for any strange or striking peculiarly,
but merely as a common cloud that the eye
would meet in its every day glancings TO.
ward heaven. No emotion--no visible eff.
feet is created by the sight yet, however
insignificant and trite it appears TO be, there
is an awful majesty of power and sublimity
lurking within that cloud.like form, which
will soon burst upon the earth, with a hun
bred fold the force of a tempest al sea-, or a
it would fain shut out the light of heaven
and darken the earth. The sky has assumed
a most solemn aspect, and the winds are
making a melancholy moaning as if they
were singing a requiem for the dead and
dying. All objects begin TO clotile them.
selves in CARDS of gloom and dismay, at
these representations of evil. The sub
Unity of the approaching scene is indescri.
bable, and is still becoming more so as the
,hreatenings come nearer and grow more
fearful. The whole civilized world is affec-
tod h- the aatptnr ufnrr, A.A ~ ,4,.t
breaks over the earth with the most terrific
violence. But there yet remains one bright
spot, over which no dark cloud have ap.
peared, and ON which the orb of day, stilr
shines with the same efFulgence and benign
influence as before. That bright s)ot is
happy, proud America, towards which the
inEumerable hosts who seek refuge from the
fury of the storm, bend their way. 1t as a
star guiding the sea tost mariner TO a place of
safety. But let us continue the description
Of the storm and see its effects on all parts
of the world, while this one seems as if ex-
ulting in its good fortune and bidding de-
iance to the storm.
The winds howl in sounds of terror and
despair, spreading destruction with their
every violent gale. The sea is te emirg with
tempestuous wave that rise higher than the
tops of the highest mountains leaving be-
tween them deep yawping caverns OF hor-
ror. 1t seems as if the sea had refused 10
give up her dead, and was warning with the
other elements for their retention. The
thunders roar in louder sounds than ever be-
fore greeted the ears of mortal man, at the
first bursts shaking the esrth to its centre,
and as they again cease leaving it in a state
oil vibration like a feather suspended in the
wind. The forked lightnings, in all their
characteristic fury, flash through the dark,
portentous, cloudy mass above, until they
reach the earth in their downward course,
SCATTERING trees that have defied the storms
of centuries, and hurting rocks from their
dizzy heights on mountains, down steep
precipices into the valleys below. At other
times, one sheet Of vivid tightening envel-
opes the earth with a flood of light far ex.
ceiling the brightest day. The rulers Of
every land. especially those who have ruled
with the iron rod of despotism, tremble in
every nerve at the violent tumult OF the
elements and think it a merited visitation Of
Divine Providence. The storm has not aba.
ted, but continues 10 rage with increased
violence. But we will not beggar language
in imperfectly describing the storm. Let us
drop the allegory, and apply it to our theme.
In that q small cloud" first noticed before
the " Storm" will be recognized oar country
in its embryo. And as the CLOUD increased
in size so our country increased and grew
into importance among the nations OF the
earth. Aye this glorious land Of liberty
which we now inhabit was once covered by
a dense wilderness and populated by a race
of savages but colonized by a few Euro.
peans, who sought religious liberty, as well
as 10 escape from the political bondages of
t%yranical governments, she made the first
step towards becoming what she is. And
wnsn. the colonies besan TO flourish, and the
forests to disappear before the axe Of civil
cation, just so soon Great Britain asserted
her right TO tax America. This, with other
unjust expressions and outrages, so aggrava-
ted the people that they declared themselves
independent Of mother country. She, not
liking this proof of obedience and affection,
sent an army TO quell the rebellious spirit Of
the Americans, who nobly and justly resist
ed this new outrage. Hordes of British
hirelings now crowded our shores; bu. there
were brave hearts among our forefathers
who were determined TO be free, or not be at
all. Truly Ills said that "these were times
that tried mems souls" But after a seven
years war Great Britain became satisfied of
the truth of Patrick Henry's remark" That
three millions of people armed in the holy
cause Of liberty are invincible by any force,
and acknowledged the independence Of
America. Peace established and harmony
restored, our country again began to prosper
under the auspices Of a government whose
constitution has no equal for soundness and
simplicity. 1t is not yet a century since her
name has been numbered among The nations
Of the earth. And now she embraces a vast
extent of territory, enriched with inexhausti-
BILE mineral wealth. She can no longer be
IL fkI- c.zlI- L- a. al --z,