The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-02-18

certainly, that far, in accordance with my 1
own feelings; but do not see the necessity
of making the declaration. 1t seems to me
to be both undignfied and unmanly to be
making constant protcstations of our honesty.
Let us show the world by our acts that we
are honest, and leave all such declarations to |
those whose doubtful character requires some |
such bolstering. Nor do I think the reafIirma- !
ton Of the Monroe doctrine would add to its |
importance. Our policy has long ago been
announced to the world, and this restless
desire to reiterate it upon all occasions, looks
to me somewhat as if we doubted our own
resolution, and required few legislative
resolves to keep up our courage.
The Senator from Michigan has expressed
considerable surprise at what he terms cur
shrinking from meeting the questions raised
by his resolutions. Sir, there may be other
causes than fear which render us reluctant
to vote for them. When a boy | read sto-
ry of the civil wars Of England, which taught
me lesson not yet forgotten. An adherent
of the Parliament had been cruelty treated
by one Of the opposite party. His houses had
been burned down, and his fields made des-
olate. Some time afterwards he met an ac-
qunintancc to whom he told the story of his
wrongs. 1t was done simply and plainly,
without single threat or execration. When
he had finished, his friend asked him with
surprise, "And did you not vow revcngel"
"Now," was the reply; "those who take the
trouble to make vows are very cer,ain that
a time will come when they will need a vow
to steady their purposes. | never doubted
what would do, and made no vows" Sir,
there was more danger in one such man
than a whole regiment of noisy babblers.
} Silence is almost invariably the concomitant
Of determined resolutions; and the world will
be quite as likely 20 believe us in earnest,
; and will respect us much for refusing to
, pass, year after year, series Of thre atening
I resolutions.
Q Mr.. President, find that am taxing my
j strength too much, AMI | must soon close.
{ The pilgrim who in obedience to vision
= of,cntimes repeated, seized his staff and sci
= out in search of Il land in which he had beer
: promised all the joys of Paradise, after ira
d versing many lands, steady pursuing hi:
n dangerous way through forests ant
y deserts, reached at last the only mountain
Il which shut out from his gaze the promset
y land. Slowly he commenced the ascent
: then paused, overcome by contending emotions
d IT from that mountain top, he should indeed
e look upon VALLEY, such as had appeared to hin
in his dreams, beautiful, and glorious, wher,
c the flower had lost its thorn, where tn,
e sweetest melodies were continually poured
+ into the ear. and the very air was redolen
o with perfume, how cheaply would it be purchas
5, cd even by a II the tolls and dangers he hat
y encountered. But then the fear that dream
e had deceived him; that he might find barrcI
c waste of thorns and brambles desert, cherries
IS and inhospitable. Anxious to know the truth
t yet dreading to have it revealed, he stoot
5 upon the mountain side unable to advance o.
); to recedc. Even such emotions, Mr.. President
r might now well swell the American bosom
N We have reached the hillside from whose toI
y the futu ure of America may be found. Blu
a who can ascend it without feeling of donb
d and terror! Is it to be the America whicl
It all of us loved to paint in our boysh days
il free, happy, and prosperous, intoxicating by
h It's prccepts, and enforcing by its example
d deep love of law and order, offering refuge
y and asylum to the fugitive from oppression
o cutivating with assiduous care the arts o
It peace, and illustrating all the mild beaute,
It of Christianity! Or is it to be that Americ;
e which "progress," "manifest destiny" ant
"overruling necessity" are now seeking tC
e make it, where freedom will be lost amid the
e clash Of arms, and the wall of every goo,
y spirit viii! rise above crushed and broker
t hope OF mans incapacty to, govern himself
Sir, it as in our action that the answer mus
t be found. Our country is at stake, and hi
g who loves it as he ought, should pause an,
: ponder long & well before tampering, in any
way, with sohish and holy trust.