The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-08-16

of the revolution there were 10 grow mighty
republican nation, the representative of princi-
pies of public liberty which was about to say
was to ovcrshadow, but to illuminate this whole
continent. l say this was the destiny OF an
cient Rome, and it is the destiny of modern
Rome. There can be no pause in onr pro-
gress, except the pause of decay;-whcn we
cease to grow, we shall begin to perish. Zap
plause.
say, when we cease to grow wo shall bo-
gin to perish; for upon usis republic is inn
pressed, not a curse, (though il was the curse
of him who thrust from his door the thirstng
Saviour on his way TO Calvary il was his curse
that the vengeance of God should pronounce
over him rs the perpetual sentence of his sin,
march, march, march, for him thore was no
pause. say on him was pronounced the curse
on us has been poured down the benedictiou;
fapplausel for us, that same divine voice lias
said march, march, march, onward, upward, so
long rs there remains celestial height, in tho
infinite regions of greatness, which it is pos
sible for human power TO scale" Applause.
Such remarks from such a source. show the
policy of the man. and the object at which he
aspires. Those who know Gen. Gushing, know
that he docs not act without an object; and
when ho tells the American people that they
| are destined to go forth conquering and To con-
quer, he virtually asks them to sustain for the
highest Office in their gift man who stands
right upon this important subject.
| We would pursue our remarks upon his ex-
travagant doctrine of destiny; but we find the
work we'll done to our hands. The Richmond
| Whig has the following just remarks upon this
radical speech of the Attorney General:
| This is the doctrine ofone of the confidential
advisers of the President-oft the one, supposed
| to occupy the foremost place in the affections
IL l..
must make war-we must go on conquering
and to conquer-if we pause, We shall perish!
Of course, when we shall have persued the
universe, and no moro worlds are left to con-
quer, we shall of necessity be compelled to
pause, and destruction will overtake us!
We do not agree with the Locofoco expoun =.
der of destiny either in his provisions or his
morality. We cannot see any necessary resem-
blanco between us and Rome. Our physical
and moral and political condition is totally diff
fcrent. Rome in the beginning, was single
city. situated on few small hills on the Tiber
in tho midst of dreary champain, surrounded
by hostile nations. We from the date of our
national existence, were a vast continent
with more land than we could reduce to cult
walton in ages. Rome was compelled from
the start to fight for her existence: we had on
ly to till the soil and cultivate the arts of
y.
after the expulsion of her kings, was governed
by the most selfish and tyrancol aristocracy
that ever existed-whose policy was to keep
the people constantly engaged in war, to pre-
vent them from molcsiing the privileges Of the
Patricians at home. In the end, those arisio-
Gratis became o corrupt, that one of their own
number, (Cnsar) by leaguing with the Plebs,
subvertcd their liberties, and reduced the
whole Republic to servi,udc. We boast ofrep-
resentatire Government-a thing unknown to
the RGmnps M 3.o Tbp GGaSrSs rbsr8ng SRg96 96 q
to some other provinces of tho Empire but the
right could only be exercised within the city.
Augustus did at one time dstantly intimate tho
intention Of permitting each city TO send It's
own representatives to the Senate; but the idea
never was carried ont. The Government
was strictly and purely an oigarchy. until it
gave place to n military dcspotism. The tribu-
milton or veto power was powerful instru-
ment in destroying what freedom Rome pos
sessed;-in the language of modern histori
an, there was but step from tho sancity of
the tribune to tho omnpotcnce and infallibility
Of the Caesar. 1t may be that the introduction
of the same principle into our system may
have suggest to the Locofoco orator the pnral-
lei, which he contemplatcs with so much salts
faction.
Blu, there is another point of difference bc-
tween us and Rome which. it is very strange
had not occurred to a Puritan and n confdon-
tial adviser of a President, who is in the hab-
il of IudulgiBg "pious trains of truth" Rome
was hoathen. She had Priests, to be sure,
and alters-but they were stained with blood
and she had her sibylliDc leaves but we arc
not aware that they inculcated any higher
morality, than that "might makes right On
the other hand it is our boast, that we live in
an age Ct christian enlightenment, and respect
the mild and humonizing precepts Of that sub
lime morality which teaches Store ndghbor as
yourself" Our pious Attorney General ig-
nores this difference; and because Rome could
find no other road to greatness than that by
| blood and carnage. he very readily concludes,
and cxults at tho idea, that we arc compelled
to tread the same slippery path. ~.
We differ in tofa from the Locofoeo phioso-
| phcr in all his ycws. We believe war TO be
the greatest curse that can afllict people. 1t
| is the'corruptcr Of morals, the bane of freedom,
and the enemy of domestic happiness. There
is more uualloyed felicity in the dull monotony
OF peace than in all the empty baubles of u Ro-
man triumph-its scarlet mantle and its laurel
crown. We hope and believe, that tho bless
| ings vouehsafed to modern civilization-the
vast Improvement in science and the arts,
and tho. purcr morality Of these .atter days,
were designed Oy an 0yerrung Proviucnce 10
enable and stimulate man to carve out higher
dcstinys for his race than were within the reach
or the aspirations of the bloodlhirsty legiona-
ries of Rome.
We arc strongly persuaded, that this is the
conviction of tho great body of tho Intelligent
and right-mindcd people oflhis country. This
was pretty well tested by Mr. Polk. Carried
away by tho clamor and noisc of the loafers
and vagabonds of tho large cities, whose voices
are over for war---ho plunged the country into
hostilities; and although the leading Generals
who conducted il, maintained the national hon
or;--whcn The subject camo to bc submitted
policy Of Mr. Polk was most cmphatically con
dcmncd. This demagogue,whoi is now preach
ing universal war, has forgotten the lesson, and
seeks to inflame popular passions in the bopo
that in another campaign. he may have better
luck than befcl him in Pillows ditch while cha