Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-11-30
MISSION oF. ouR REPuRLIc.


Manchester Demoerat) commands the instructive as
sent of all men, everywhere, sound and rational
and tonly wants the example, of one successful and
prosperous republic, of mature experience and I'M
doubted stability iffuse the principles the love-
and the great tact government throughout the
world. This republic may accomplish that glorious
mission. Though yet in its infancy, with its own
strength but lnperfectly developed and its stalwart
proportions still immature it has already thrown an
influence the world of despotism which is seen
and felt in the mnutcst throb of political and social
life. The republics of South America are the fruits
of our silent but strong example. Under the same
impulse Irrational sympathy, the French people have
three times successfully asserted the Divine right OF
selfgoyernment, to be cheated three times into a
meaner dcspotism than before. The impulsive ltal-
ians the brave Huns, the metaphysical and phleg-
matte Germans, have all brcathed the inspiration or
American freedom and evnced in characteristic terms
by sword ballad, their appreciation andlove ofthe
principles it involves Even Scdate conservative Old
England is Welding to the demands of free spirit
among her people and in all places where an Amer
lean vessel rides an American book is read, the
tenure of dcspotisn> becomes more and more preca-
rious, and is now prolonged only by bayonets
on the one hand and concession on the other
The mission of our republic, as the propagandists
of popular government, may be, and perhaps ought
to be- purely passive in its character The example
of a good man is not the less bcncfcent to commu
nifty because he practices virtue for himsefi so the
influence of national example will not be less
upon the world because it is shaped by our own
ambition to perfect popular government Tor our
selves. The pcoplc-the masses the world over-are
eagerly watching the result OF our experiment Eve
ry ship that leaves harbors is apostle of free
dom. Every book or newspaper which tndsit way
to other lands sheds light on our lnstitu-
TONS Every American who goes abroad and every
foreigner who visits active emmisaries in du
sing the principles of the American government a
mong thr nations of the world This intercourse,
through the agencies of trade and travel is rapidly
becoming more intimate and familiar and the time
is not far distant when the Russian serf in his
remote hamlct-the Chinaman in his legal isolation
the Polynesian, evironed by world OF waters
and the Siberian, developed in eternal snow-will
all know of land where the people the sole SOW
creignS.
The example ofsuch governments government
so congcnia with the instinct Judgment and wishes
of men, and sanctioned by one hundred years OF sue
ccssful experimentation scarcely fail to work the po-
litca regeneration of the world This is the destl
ny-the mission-of the American republic; a mis-
sion calling for.no labor sacrifice, no cost except
such as common regard for the welfare OF our coun-
try and ourselves imposes upon Us. The happiness,
prosperity, and true greatness OF our own republic
will be the object of eXertions, proportioned IN
its extent to own success.
What lessons teaching now? The progress
of the American people in all the arts and sciences
which adorn and bless the world has no parallel in
the history of any other government The capacity
and the will of a free people to guard and defend
their national honor at all hazards and to the last
extremity has been evipced on more than one occa-
son and is longer questioned. In all the elements
which contribute 10 the refinement strength and ad-
HanCemcnt OF men as individuals OF rs Il social ana
political community a popular government has
proved itself to be web adapted All this the world
understands. 1t awaits an assurance of itsPer-
petuity.
Not the least sangune of those who have specula-
ted upon the success of our republican experiment
SEES any ground of apprchensvc aside from the slS-
very question. An institution exists in portion of
our confcdcracy by the assent of the constitution,
and confesscdy beyond the legal and practical cog
nizance of the other portion, which has been, and
still is, the nucleus of all discomfort and danger;
and our example will not go before the world with its
full force and JUNCTION until this sectional irritation
subsidies Then the last hope Of dcspots for the fail
of republican experiment will Itself sail, and
the sympathiZing masses Of the Old World will take
courage from the manifest pcrmanency of insti-
tutions they long since learned to admire.
The responsibility of an American citizen extends
beyond himself and beyond his country. The srorld
has claim upon him-to be discharged by steady,
faithful and earnest devotion to the welfare and in
tegrity of the Union, Honest and patriotic men will
yield all selfish purposes to this great end, and rown
upon all factions whose object tendency is to weak
en- the great moral example ought to present to
the world-of free, prosperous, happy, and perpct
ual republic. Troy Budget.