Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-01-15
For the Eastern Times.
Kossuth.

The arrival of this distinguished man in our
country. has naturally recalled the attention of
our citizens to the principles on which our own
government is based. While some say the
principle is to demonstrate to all people the
doctrine of equality of man, and consequently
that self government is the only foundation on
which any one can be firmly placed, others say
the principle was to enable the people to accu-
mulate wealth, in some of the various forms
that tend to that result.
These differences of opinion have always ex-
listed in this country, and are at present, as
they always have been, the distinguishing
features of the two great parties under whose
banners our citizens enrol themselves. The
one is for the protection and accumulation of
capital, the other for the liberation of man, that
each individual may become happier and bet
ter. As individuals are governed by the one
or The other OF these views or principles, so
generally, are their decisions as to the course
we individually collectively as a nation,
pursue in regard to that noble people, whose
exertions are directed to the preserving those
rights which the God of nature has given
them.
So great is the power Of public opinion in
this country, that we all say we should SYM
pathize with the distressed-should wish that
hossuth and his countrymen might be free.
but we differ to the extent to which that SYM
pathy should carry us. Some say we should
not let our sympathy interfere with our pecu-
cuniary interests. If il should call upon US
the wrath or curses of some of the great powers
OF Europe, we must hide our feelings, in be-
half of Hungary, and say to Kossuth, our
hearts are with you, but our interests have
turned them to stone. -
Is this principle corects, 1t may increase
the country's valuation, add to the wealth of
individuals, erect factories, and multiply the
number of our already vast accumulation of
ships. What then-is this positive evidence
of nations prosperity. England is much
weather. than America, so is Russia-neither
of them, perhaps all of them united can equal
in wealth ancient Rome, when her liberties
had been destroyed and her people were fast
degenerating into slavery and bondage. 1t is
a principle that never yet has been the ruling
motive of this government; when it does, we
may then know that our days are numbered
and almost finished. In the war of '76, pecu-
mary interest had no place with those, that
commenced and continued it. True, then
as now, there were some that supposed pecu-
mary interest should alone be the foundation
of a countrys action-and those persons gen
orally deserted the country and its cause, and
joined its oppressor.
The war of 1912 was for the promotion of
individual liberty and not the advancement of
pecuniary interest: There were opposers Of
that war, ardent, strong and violent because it
paralyzed trade. and tied the ships to the
wharves, useless and decaying they figured
up the cost of the war, and found large bal
ance against this country and therefore de-
nounced it in no honicd phrases or pleasant
speech. With the war with Mexico, some
opened large account of profit and loss. and
found it an expensive and losing speculation.
We always have had such persons in. this
country, bat-haPpily -they-Aave- heretofore
oeeninthe minority and consequentlysinca-
pabls Of accomplishing much injury. Even in