Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-28

hope OF fenewn, are also sietiieDts In fhe char.
acter of civilized life but the development O,
these passions, in a state of barbarisu,. hardly
lnstructs us as to the manner in which thew
VIII exhibit themselves in a cultivated period OF
society.
ana SO 1t Is of religious sentiment and feel
ing. believe man is everywhere, more or less,
a fehslous being; that is to say, in all countries
ana Ut all times, he feels the tie which connects
MN with an invisible power.
1t is true indeed, and it is remarkable fact
IN the history of mankind, and in the very low
est stage as human existence, and in the oppo-
site extreme of high civilization, surrounded
with everything luxurious in life, and with all
the means of human knowledge, the idea of an
unseen and superior Governor Of the Universe
Is most likely to be equally doubted or disre-
garded.
ne lowest OF human savage existence, and
the intellectual and refined atheism, such as we
have seen exhibited in our day, seem to be
strangely coincident in this respect though it is
from opposite causes and influences that these
classes are led to doubt or deny the existence of
Supreme Power. But both these are excep-
tons to the general current of human thought
and the general conviction of our nature
Man is naturally religious; but then his re-
Iglon takes its character from his condition, his
degree OF knowledge, and his association; and
therefore, it is true that the religious feeling
which operates i'll one state of society, and I'M
der one degree of light and knowledge, is not a
safe example, to prove its probable influence
and operation under circumstances essentially
different. SO that when we regard history as
our instructor, in the development of the per-
ceptions and character of men, and in the mo-
t1ves which actuate them, there comes a con-
comltant rush of altered circumstances, which
are all to be considered and regarded.
History, therefore, is an example which NAV
teach us the general principles of human nature
but does not instruct us greatly in its various
possible developments.
What DIR. johnson said, in his comparison
OF Dryden and Pope, is not inapplicable to this
topic. ''Dryden,' said he, 'sknew more of
man In his general nature, and Pope in his To-
cal manners" Dryden's sentiments, therefore.
are the exemplar of human nature as modified
Ill particular relations and circumstances; and
what is true of individual man, is true also, of
society and government.
Inc love OF liberty, for instance, is passion
and sentiment, which existed in intense force in
the Greclan republics, and in the early history
OF Rome. 1t exists now, chiefly, and first of ali,
on that portion of the Western Continent in
which we live. Here, it burns with heat and
Will SPloHuoI ullu oil OTeCldfl ana all
example. 1t is not light in the temple of Mi
nerva, it is not vesta flame in Rome; it is the
light OF the sun, it is the illumination of all the
consultations. Earth, air and ocean, and all the
heavens above us, are filled with its glorious il
lumination and, therefore, though the passion
and the sentiment the same, yet he who
would reason from Grecian liberty Or from Ro-
man freedom, to our intelligent American liber-
ty, would be holding farthing candle to the orb
Of day.
The magnificent funeral Grafton of Pericles
over those who fell in the Peloponesan war, is
one OF the grandest oratorical productions of an
tiquity. 1t contains sentiments and excites
emotions congenial to the minds of all lovers of
liberty, in all regions and at all times 1t ex-
hibits strong and ardent attachment to country,
which true patriots always feel; and undaunted
courage in its defence, and a resolution and
willingness to pledge and hazard all for the main
tenance of liberty. cannot deny myself the
pleasure of quoting a few passages from that
celebrated address,
Il shall therefore beg in first said Pericles,
with our forefathers, since both Justice and de-
cency require we should on this occasion be-
stow on them an honorable remembrance In
this our country they kept themselves always
firmly settled, and through their valor handed it
down free to every since succeeding generation
Worthy indeed of praise are they, and vet
more worthy are our immediate fathers; since,
charging their own inheritance into the extern
slve empire which we now possess they be-
queathed that their work of toll, to us, their
sons. ct, even these successes, we ourselves
here present, we who are yet in the strength
and vigor of our days, have nobly improved, and
have made such provisions for this our Athens,
that now it is all-sufficient in itself to answer
every eXigence of war and of peace.
But by what methods we have risen to this
height OF glory and power, by what polity and
by what conduct we are thus aggrandized, / shall
first endeavor to show; and then proceed to the
praise of the deceased. These, in my opinion,
can be no impertinent topics on this occasion;
the discussion of them must be beneficial to this
numerous company of Athenians and of stran-
gers.
'We are happy in form of government
which cannot envy the laws of our neighbours
for it hath served as a model to others, but is
original at Athens. And this our form, as COM
mitted not to the few, but to the whole body of
the people, is called democracy. How diff
ferent soever in private capacity, we all en-
joy the same general equality which our laws
are fitted to preserve, and superior honors just
as we excel The public administration is
not confined to particular family, but is attain
able only by merit. Poverty is not hindrance,
since whoeveris able to serve his country meets
with no obstacles to preferment from his first
obscurity. The offices of the State we 90
through without distractions from one another,
and live together in the mutual endearments of
private life without suspicious; not angry with
a neighbor for following the bent of his own
humor, nor putting on that countenance of dis
content, which pains though it cannot punish;
so that in private life we converse without diff
fidence or damage, whilst we dare not on any
account offend against the public, through the
reverence we bear to the magistrates and the
laws; chiefly to those enacted for the redress of
the injured, and to those unwritten laws,
breach of which is regarded as disgrace.
1--WE want no Homer to be the herald of our
praise; no poet to deck off history with the
charms of verse, where the opinion of exploits
must suffer by strict relation. Every sea has
been opened by our fleets, and every land hath
been penetrated by our armies, which have
everywhere left behind them eternal monu-
ments both of our enmity and our friendship.