The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-05-12
4 Contrast.

|, ii common aud correct remark, that
properly appreciates the inesinabe blessing of good
health, until be has been stretched upon bed OF sick
ness Ii is equally true that the American people, in
the fall possession Of civil and religious freedom
properly estimate the Advantages they enjoy over
the people of other civilized nations. How can we
be expected form proper conception of the condi-
ton Of community, subject al any AMI all times to
the nligntes necessarily attendant upon domicary
visits OF the policeto the espJlnnge OF secret and
regularly paid infornersand the members of which,
upon the slightest pretext sent to the sca.iod, in-
carcerated in dungeons. or transported to distant
wilderness, spend the remainder of their lives in
hard labor under the lash OF brutal taskmasers Nor
can We place ourselves even in imagination, in the
position Of those who must keep vigilant guard,
not only Upon their own words and actions but upon
those of their household, lest ndiscreton should
trnc down upon their heads the vengeance o. suspi
cious ruers-and who are ground down by taxation
for the supper; Of the ninions Of court, aud Of
standing armies to keep them in subiection. without
daring the slightest romons.rancc Or word Of
complaint lest como rrofessed, hot f.hess friend,
should repor. them for disaiection to the Govern-
meat.
Such, nevertheless, are The facts Connected with the
administration OF public affairs the whole con,i-
neat Of Europe, with Insignificant exceptions. Rus
sa whose colossal and increasing proportions threaten
10 enga!t all the yhhorng states, is responsible Tor
unheard Of oruetes political offenders, the least
abhorrent of which is banshment for life her ST.
herian forests. Poland is swift witness against her
before God and man. No ore can see the name OF
Austria in print, that tortured and mansled wo-
men DO fit before his mental vision in Connection
with the late struggle OF the Hungarians. If cor
picture could be drawn Of the pains and penalties
inflicted upon the human species in the German and
Italian States, and even in France by the rresponsi-
h!e agents Of arbitrary power. the American heart
would beat with iold pity for the victims, aud ba-
tired Of the orprcssors. Europe is at this moment,
little better than vas, prison house, with Kings fox
its jai'ors, and armies for its guards.
We have cause also to lanaa: IT,, condition Of az
fairs III portions of hemisphere. Most Of the
Republican Governments Of the New World are The
prey Of anarchy and civil war, while our neares,
neghbor, Mexico, seems to have arrived at the last
stages Of her existence an independent nation.
The recall Of Santa Anna may have the effect TO re-
tard her downfall for a season, bat i. is doubtful
whether his influence and energy viii be sufficient to
restore order in that distracted country.
How great and gratifying contrast to such state
Of things is exhibited in orr own happy country.
While even naughty England with all her boosted
freedom, has been constrained by the complaints Of
her Conilnc ntai ghbors place foreign refugees
Gnder tac surveillance Of the polcein this the only
real asy nm FOR the prosecuted OF Il nations. those
who have been engaged in unavailing struggles for
liberty in other lands, are welcomed as worthy mem,
bers Of the great American family to the cnio,men,
OF all our privileges. Here, the poorest citizen NAV
carry himself as proudly and independently as the
highest in official station for he is his equal! socially
and politically, and alike with him, is he en,ited to
the protection of law.
Well may we hold in veneration the prcccpts of
our fathers, which teach US to estimate as priceless
the Union OF these States, and avoiding all en,ans
ling alliances with other nations, patiently and per-
seNering to work or own destiny, with humble
reliance upon that evidence who has hitherto pre-
served us amid the yicssituies incident TO all human
affairs