Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-03-04

UNl NlINlO Tue CpinphSS OF trrcClnn knOWltuL
as II existed in the time of Homer, it can scarce
questioned, that the style of Homer is quite
perfect and polished as that Of any of
successors. The cause of this apparent anoma
is that the language had not only been spok
for many centuries, by people of great ingen
ity and extraordinary good taste, but had be
carefully cultivated BY the recitation Of poetic
compositions on a great variety of religious al
festive occasions
1t was not until the Legislation Of Scion Ia
laid the foundation Of free political institution
and these institutions had uniolded free and pow
erful and active political life in the Athena
Republic, until the dscussian of public affair
in the Senate and the popular Assembly, hs
created dslibcrfive eloquence; and the open aC
ministrstion Of Justice in the courts and undo
the laws established by Scion. had applied to th
transactions between the citizens. all the resoui
ces Of refined logic, and drawn into the spher
of civil rights and obligations, the power Of higl
forensic oratory- was not until these result
OF the legislative wisdom of Scion had been at
tanned, that the art of history and flourishet
IN Greece With the decline IN Grecian liberty
began the decline in the art of historical conpo-
sition Histories were written under the Gre
clan Kings Of Egypt and long line OF writer's
tiourished under the Byzantine bmperors; but
the high art of historical composition, as periec-
ted in the master works of Ierodotus, lhucydides
and Xenophon had all persisted in the death Of
political freedom.
The origin. progress and decline Of History
rs an Art, were nearly the same in Rome Sal
lust and Llvy hourished at the close OF the Re-
public and at the commencement Of the npre
Inc great works of acitus himself are thought
by many to betray the beginning of decline ln
the art, and the later writers exhibit its fall.
The Art OF History again revived with the rise
OF the Italian Republics ; and since the revival
OF literature the close gf flin ulitfItf
VIII probably be found, that three things uatur-
ally rise into Importance together; that rs TO say,
Civil Liberty, Eloquence and the art Of llst0ri-
cal writing.
Other iouns ation is not 10 be laid for aulhen-
tie history than well authenticated facls hut on
tins foundation, structures may be raised of diff
ierent chuactercs, historical, biographical and
philosophical. One writer may conhne himself
10 exact and minute narration, another, true 10
The general story, may embellsh that story with
more or less external ornament, or Of eoQuence
II escrpt on a 1lrd, with deeper phiosoph-
zeal spirit may look into the causes of events
ana transactions, trace them with more profound
research TO their sources in the elements Of hu-
man nature, or consider and solve with moro or
less success that most important question how
tar the character Of individual
public events. ~ ! has produced
IL low far, on the other hand, pub
events have produced and formed the churac-
ter Of individuals.
Therefore, one history of the same period, in
human affairs, no more renders another history
OF the same period useless or unadvsabie, than
the structure Of one temple iorhids the erection
OF another, 10 the same god or one st,tue Her
cules, Apollo, or Percles, should sunnress an
other -,.c,spts 20 produce statues Of the same
persons.
But, gentlemen, ! must not dwell longer ON
these general topics. We are Americans We
have country all our own; VIC are all linked to
ITS iates and its fortunes it is already not with
out renown; II has been the theatre of some Of
the most important Of human transactions and il
may well become us to reflect on the topics and
the means furnished for historical composition
IN our own land. | have abstancd, on this oc-
casion, gentlemen, from much comment on tho
histories composed by European writers of mod
ern times and, for obvious reasons, / abstain
altogether from remarks upon the writers Of our
own country
" ofhs have been written upon the history OF
me United States, other works upon the same
subject are IN progress and no doubt new
works are contemplated, and will be accomplish
ed.
1t need not be doubted that when what Inns
been achieved by the great men who have pre-
eeded our generation, will be properly recorded
ny thelr Successors. country IN which highly
interesting events occur is not likely to be desti-
tnte OF scholars and authors, tit to transmit those
events TO posterity. For the present, | content
myself with few general remarks on the sub
iect.
In the History Of the United States there are
three epochs The first extends from the origin
and settlement Of the colonies respectively. TO
the year IVA. During this, much the longest
period, the history Is the history Of separate .
communities and governments, with different
laws and institutions, though all were Of com
mon origin; not identical indeed though having
ii strong family resemblance, aud having more
or less reference to the constitution, and common
law of the parent country
IN al these gNernntnts the principle Of pop
ular representation more or less prov lied. L
existed ~ the Stute governments, IN counties, IN
large districts, and IA townships and parshes.-l
ana lte's not irrelevant TO remark, that, by tho
exercise OF the rights enjoyed under these popu-
Jar principles, the whole people came 10 he
prepared beyond the example of all others for
the observance Of the same principles in the es
ENLISTMENT OF national institutions and tie ado +
of sovereign powers. &
J. ne second period extends from 177l, when c
hese colonies iirr acted efficiently together /
or great political ends as coniederacy VI Statos
o me year l1s9. when the present constitution j
% gov rnmem was established The third en-
races the period from 1880 to the present time.
- t''tt hthtllI WIN events TOO recent. 10
agit ne we'll TO consider the third era or epoch Y
+ arion,ng with the close of President Wash II
nRions administration, and going back into the 4
oad 80 far as to trace the events and occur 4
ences which showed the necessity of general s.
government, different from that framed by the d
rucleS OF confederation, which prepared tie \
ninds ol the people for the adoption Of the pre- 81
ent constitution. No doubt the assembly of the Ii
rst Continental Congress may be regarded as
ne era at which the u ion of these States com Il
lenced. This event took place in Philadelphia, Il
ne city distinguished by the great civil events d
our early history, on the 9Th OF September Il
ga, on which day the first Continental Congress Il
ssemoled Delegates were present from New p
hampshire, Massachusetts,, Rhode Island Con- a
ectlcut, New ork, New jersey, Pennsyl,auia o.
Delaware Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, II
outl Carolina and Georgia. c
Let tins day be ever remembered II saw
ssembled from the several Colonies those great al
len whose names have come down 10 Us and viii G,
escend to all posierty Their proceedings are ii
charitable for simplicity, dignity and unequalled n,
'il'iy. AZ that day, probably there could have Ii
cen convened on part Of this globe, an equal rC
Hiioef ol men possessing greater talents and 40
oiiify, or animated by higher and more patri- "
nc motive. They were men full OF the spirlt G,
the oceaaion, cmbued deeply with the general b,
'htlment OF the country, OF large comprehen- pl
on, Of long foresight, and Of few words. They q