The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-07-22


"mother ot deUotton," and uses our elective
franchise g. the school ofeducaton to pollute
the shrine Of f eedom-demolish the temple
Of independence, and uproot the tree o f liber-
ty; and employs many powerful instrument
talities to shred away piece meal, our civil and
religious privileges. Spend your money to
support the liberty Of the Book and Newspa-
per press-that il unmuzzed g. unterrifed-
may speak the ennobling principles Of SCI
ence the refining sentiments of free chris
hanity TO every human ear and heart in the
world Patronise and honor the fearless and
independent portion Of that press, by reading
Its productions, and using the facts Of history
and the mighty power Of revealed truth aRainst
all attempts to assal our free institutions.
But if nothing else will do-if driven to the
fearful resort--if the stern crisis should come,
then file your declaration of independence
against moral despotism, and lay down your
lives, only on the sacred altar of civil and re-
ligious liberty, g. in self-defen ce, sooner than
surrender the sacred rights Of conscience& the
privilege ofindependent ser-government.
! Gentlemen-we live in the activities and
influences of thrilling times. The rapid pro.
gress Of this wonderful age, has hurried Us on
10 the verge Of mighty events-national and
moral. The thrilling emotions Of the worlds
great heart, are aroused by the general ex-
petancy OF some mighty change or changes,
and universal man seems to be looking out
for new order OF things. If we correctly
interpret prophetic revelation, the decisive
battle, between truth and error, liberty and
| Hp Znnfi rir,kt
fought in the minds and hearts Of the nhabi-
tants OF earth. If in this contest, the untram-
eled press. the wise legislation, and friendly
diplomatic and commercial intercourse Of the
natons-the evangelical pulpt--and the free
schools OF general and correct education, can
triumph over the ignorance-passion preju-
dice ana habits OF the opposing forces, then
the melancholy necessity of war proper NAV
be avoided. But we fear this desirable con-
summation will not be peacaby realized
For while the wicked arbiters Of the despotism
OF Europe, tread the iron heel of oppression
heavily and firmly upon the CALLED necks and
painting hearts Of their oppressed subjects--so
far as human wisdom can discern-their cru
ell tyrany will not yield, but in the terrors and
blood Of national revolutions. Thoughts are
operating-feuds are fermenting, "many are
running to and fro," and the people are stir
ing from the sleep of the last short nj ght OF
de!eat and oppression, and one year may wit
ness the dethronement of Kings-the down
fall of Empires, and the liberation OF millions
from their political vassalaga.
Austria assays to crush constitutional liber-
ty II the cantons of magnanmous old Swift.
zerland, Italy slumbers on, in bref rest,
in unwilling submission, only to burst ith a
tiercer violence the temporary chains which
bind her captive sons. Patriot, classic,
Protestant Hungary, stands a huge giant,
bound, but not conquered-waiting with long
ing expectation for the hour Of her triumph
and liberty to come. Russia marshals her
sulen hosts for some sanguinarv demonstra-
ton. The Tartar dynasty trembes through
all its imperial domain, before the victorious
march Of the progressive, liberating rebels.
Revolutions a. advancement, convulse many
OF the Republics of the Western continent.
While the signal guns of great events a j.
preaching, seem to be laundering their warn
ing upon the startled ear of the world, the
present organization and relation Of the king
doms of Europe, indicate the dreadful catas-
trophe of continual war, if a single quarrel
should occur Then should the policy of this
government permit our country to become in
volved in the broils OF other powers, il may be
the daring choice of some brave hearts here
to-day, to enter the terrible fields of general
strife, to aid in fighting the worlds last great
military campaign of nations. Yetwe ear
nestly, y,hope for more peaceful & rational pro-
cess by which to gain the freedom g. rights
the enlightenment & elevation of mankind. If
beligerent measures should be the sad alterna-
tive, then let my eountrymen fight, not like
the ferocious savage, for revenge, nor like
man of vain glorious pride and fiery ambition,
for tinscled honor and human fume; but for
worlds ireedom-for the Bibles universal
circulation--for the sacred rights OF enlighten-
cd conscience-ior free speech and free re-
ligious worship. Then, when horrible strife
shall cease, may the whole brotherhood of ma
tions have jubilee or rest, rrs" tbs .ulurui-
tds ofwar-universal liberty from oppression's
power-and hail the return of some glorious
day, as the worlds "iourth of July''--to be
remembered and ieted as the great sabbath
of a worlds civil and religious Liberation.
Then shall be that delightful period, beheld
in prophetic vision-proclaimed in prophetic
song, and sought for by the gospel OF peace
and salvation, when "nations shall learn war
no more;" when spears shall be beaten into
pruning hooks, and swords into plough shares;
when peace on earth shall hold her easy sway
And man forget his fellow man to slay;"
when science and useful art-liberty and
christianity shall bless mankind, and spread
their genial inhence "trom the rivers to the
ends of the earth"
: Gentlemen--it is brave and patriotic to shed
our blood, and lay down our lives, for our
homes and freedom, for our helpless friends
and our posterity. But let me kindly remind
you that it is braver still--far more noble, to
enter the eventful field of strife in our own
hearts against the power of vice and the ten
dency of evil habits-to contend, in moral
heroism, for the conquest of SELF and the gov
ernment of our own minds. Solomon, the
great philosopher of antiquity, says, she that