Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-12-15
Ehc Co.ndisions of National Existence

ssAt4 That they must pass, aye, all pass away
The Cosniitiens ef National Existence.
What are the elements of National power, of
national greatness! In what do they consist and
on what do they depend!
The American colonists of the seventeenth
century, and many Of their successors of the cigh
teentl, have Tong been tenants of the tomb, sleep
ers in the dust. Their bodily presence has erutn-
blcd with the tumble slabs which mark their
graves, but their children's their country
and their country Institutions, have become the
hope 81 liissarisy, the glory Of the world.
Ia their stead millions tread the continent.
The Indians, whose sway was the dread Of the
Puritans, and whose range was co-extensive with
the continent, now knows no country, counts no
tribe, forms no nation. His race has ceased to
make part Of humanity, except in subserviency
to civilization, His hunting grounds have been
shorn of their wilderness, and the eye of the sur
yeYor has scaled the mountain heights, and faith
.somed all the mountain streams. The waterfalls
have been harnessed by the hand of industry to
@subserge the interests Of man, and their broad
lakes and rivers bear upon their bosom the freight
ed wealth of nations. The forests have fallen
before the woodmans axe; and where beasts were
fsnants. the mighty powers of civilization preside
When the trail of the native marked tke secluded
soil Of the Wilderness the terrific engine OF the
railroad moves with resistless force and impetu-
GUS speed, translating the hill to the valley the
aa1Au1ain to the eeean and the pepuiation u the
country from city to city, giving to ali frequent
opportunities to witness the unnumbered scenes of
h
where mark the land. When humble settlements
struggle to find the means of existence, states
have risen o,rtrivalling ancient empires, and the
vast continent, which was then visited by the
few of almost every nation, has become the terri
tory.ofa people whose government rests5upon the
sillimitabIe basis of that democracy recognized by
the pnritans, and whose institutions have become
the wonder Of the civilized world and the dread of
sdespotisna.
Who does not Join, with sense unconquerable
amazement in the inquiries Whence these nigh
z-ty results Where are the sources of such
boundiess streams of causation In what
form can men behold the principles which
have given birth 10 such examples of benevolence
and grandeur, to such harmonious designs of du-
ty aud noble activity.
1t is not to the possession of wealth that we
are to look for this death to the greatness of
Spain. The colonists were poor. 1t is not to be
ascribed to the principles of monarchy, for, with
all her kings and queens, and illustrious states
4 men. Great Britain has yeti discover the true
causes of popular discontent the sources of pub
: lie prosperity The colonists were republicans.
1t not to the acquisitions Of philosophy in the
( lands of KANT or of a Cuvier, that the mind is
to be directed for such questions; for their
tries have been the scenes of frequent revolution,
and still remain as sgnigcant examples of how
little human misery is lessened by human learn
ing. Nor can an answer be found in the mighty
army of Russia, where martial law is government;
nor in the Celestial Empire, where ignorance is
safety, and activity treason. These nations are
still bound by the strong chains of despotism, sus
stained by multitudinous sodiery; and vast mas
ses of human beings linger in hopeless indifer-
enee to the highest emotions of the soul, and pas
sivelysubmit to suffering the birthrght of free
men. The colonists were their own protectors,
their own teachers.
X Where, then, shall the common mind be direc-
ted for instruction on this exalted theme Where
= find the primary influences that prepare the mind
for that lofty exercise of the virtues which digni-
fy and adorn individual character, and enlarge the
motives that hold sacred the rights of a citizen,
and with extended arms of power encompass and
protect with equal certainty, the great interests
of nation Where, but to the eternal source
of truth and Justice! Where wisdom adapts it.
self ohe constitution Of things, needing the les
sons Of the past, relying upon knowledge, pro-
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