Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-12-10

for the purpose Of overthrowng the monarches of Europe
and establishing in therpIace republican institutions Its
aledgcd that have heretofore pursued different course
from sense OF our weakness but that conscious
strength dictates change Of policy, and that il is conse.
queny duty to mingle these contests and aid those
who are struggling for liberty.
This is most seductive but dangerous appeal to the
generous sympathies of eemen. Enjoying as we do the
blessings of free government, there who has
American heart that would rejoice to see these
blessings extended to all other nations. We wit
the struggle between the oppressed and his oppes-
anywhere without the deepest sympathy for the for
mer, and the most anxious desire for his triumph. New
eheess prudent is it wise to involve ourselves in
these foreign wars? Is it indeed that have
heretofore RETAINED from doing merely from the de-
grading motive of conscious weakness? For the honor
Of the riots who have gone before cannot admit it.
Men of the Revolution who drew the sword against the
expressions of the mother country and pledged Heav
her lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor
maintain their freedom. could have been actuatcd
by unworthy motive. They knew weakness or
fear where right duty pointed the way, and is libel
their fair fame for while enjoy the blessings
for which they noby fought and bled nsnuate il
The truth that the which they pursued dc
tated BY of international justice, by
manlike prudence and ar-seeing wisdom, looking not
merely to the present necessities but to the permanent
safety an interest of the country. They knew that the
world governed less by sympathy than by and
force that possible for this nation become
"propagandist of free principles without arrayDg
ganst the combined powers of Europe and that the
result likely to be the overthrow of republican
liberty here than its establishment there. History has
been written in vain for those who can doubt this
France had no established republican form of
government than she manifested desre force its hles-
sings on all the world. Her own historian informs us
that, hearing of petty acts of tyranny in neigh
boring principality The National Convention declared
that she would afford and fraternity to all
fions who wished to their liberty and she gave
sit in charge to the executive power to give orders to the
generals of the French armies to aid all citizens who
might have been should be oppressed in the of
'libery" Here the false step which led 10 her sub
sequen misforunes She found herself involved in
with all the rest of Europe. In less than ten years
her government was changed from republic to an en-
pire and finally. after shedding rivers of blood, foreign
powers restored her exled dynasty, and exhausted Eu
rope sought and in the unqueioned Assem-
dency of monarchicai prncp les Let Us learn wisdom
from her example Let remember that revolutions do
always establish freedom. Our own free institutions
not the offspring of Revolution. They existed
before They planted in the free charters of self
government under which the English colonies grew up,
and Revolution only freed from the dominion Of
foreign power, whose government was at variance with
those institutions
But European nations have had no such training for
self government and every effort TO establish by bloody
revolutions has been and must without that preparation,
continue to he failure Liberty, unreguated by law,
degeneraes into anarchy which soon becomes the most
horrid of all despotism. Our policy is wisely govern
ourseves and thereby to set such example of national
justice, prosperity, and true glory shall teach to all
lions the blessings of sefg and the unpara
eled enterprise and success Of a free people.
We live in age of progress and ours is emphati-
cay country of progress. Within the last half-cen-
fury the number of States in this Union has nearly
doubled, the population has almost quadrupled, and
our boundaries have been extended from the MISSISSIPPI
to the Pacific Our territory is chequered with
railroads, and furrowed with canals The inventive
talent of country is excited 10 the highest pitch,
and the numerous applications for patents for
valuable Improvement distinguish this age and this
people from all others. The genius of one American
has enabled commerce to move against wind and
tide, and that of another has annlhiated distance in
the transmission of intelligence. The whole country
is full of enterprise. Our common schools dfus-
ing intelligence among the people, and our industry is
fast accumulatrg the comforts and uxuries of life
This is in part owing TO our peculiar position, 10
fertile soil, and comparatively sparse populations but
much of it is also owing 10 the popular Institutions
under which live, 10 the freedom which every man
feels to engage in any useful pursuit. according to his
taste or inclination and to the entire confidence that
his person and property will be protected by the laws
But whatever may be the cause OF this unparalleled
growth in population, intelligence, and wealth, one
thing is clear, the Government must keep pace with
the progress of The people. must participate in their
spirit of enterprise, and while it exacts obedience 10
the laws and restraints all unauthorized invasions of
the rights of neg hboring States. it should foster and
protect home industry, and lend lis powerful strength
to the improvement OF snch means OF intercommunca-
ton necessary promote our internal commerce
and strengthen the ties which bind together as a
people.
1t is not strange, however much it may be regret
ted, that such exuberance of enterprise should
cause some individuals to mistake change for pro-
gress and the invasion of the rights of others fol-
tional proves and glory. The former constant
ly agitatng for change in the organic law, or
urging new and untried theories of human rights
The latter ready to engage in any wild cru
SADIE against ghboring people, regardless of the
justice of the enterprise, and without looking at the
fatal consequences to ourselves and to the cause of
popular government. Such expeditions, however,
are often stimulated by mercenary individuals, who
expect to share the plumber profit Of the enterprise
without exposing themselves to danger, and are led
on by some irresponsible foreigner who abuses the
hospitality of our own Government by seducing the
young and ignorant to join in his scheme of person
al ambition revenge, under the false and deusiye
pretenee of extending the area of freedom. These
reprehensible aggressions but etard the true pro-
gress of nation and tarnish its fair fame. They
should, therefore, receive the indignant frowns Of
every good citizen who sincerely loves his country
and takes pride in her prosperity and honor
Our constitution, though not perfect, is doubtless
the best that was formed. Therefore let every
proposition to change it be well weighed and If
found beneficial cautiously adopted Every patriot
will rejoice to see lis authority exerted to ad-
the prosperity and honor of the nation, whilst
he will watch with jealousy any attempt to mutilate
this charter of liberties pervert its powers to
acts of aggression injustice. Thus shall conser-
vatism and progress blend their harmonious action
in preserving the form and spirit Of the Constitution
and at the same time carry forward the great i'm
provements of the country with rapidity aud ener-
gy which freemen only can display.
In closing this last annual communication, permit fell
relations ali
friendly lis rights respected and IFS high place in
happiness public private probably
fallen the lot oany other people Besides aong
citizens degree of prosperity of which
scale know of other instance country annually afford