Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-04-26
{ SIGNS OF THE TIMES.


inycsli alton Of the curious in all parts
of the worll. The United States as
compared to other governments, has only
just sprung into existence. Those oi
the old world count their centuries.
while men are still living, whose
bi.ln dates anterior to that Of our nation
and nearly all are convcr.ant with IFS
entire history. Scarce u school boy
,h 4 cannot enumerate almost the en-
tire list Of worthless that have figured in
science, and in The lmin.S ration OF The
cny.rullcnl rom the colonial deleca-
,ion down Ia The tine at which we write.
On the oihcr hand, when contrasting
oar present position, with what ii was
at our origin, space seem, TO wticn--
time lcnglhcns out in our Imagination,
and maturity seems to he developed in
our entire be!nc. Tho Unitel States
seem TO have accomplished so much al
ready, that We are almost lei 10 doubt
cur convictions, and look upon it as ii
work ,hat mus, have required for its ac-
comnli ,Ilmcnt, centuries Instead Of 6
fer years.
Originally coniinol to the Atlantic
coast. and to Il considerable extent
contr,lcl bJ lorcisn power, judicious
purchase d! annexation have lcnglhrn
ed anl wi!cncl the territories Of the
Union, rnti they extend from Ocean
n Ocean. aud successful resistance has
gua,an,i, to us by far ,h, greatest a.
mount of civil and rcl gious lbery, en-.
loysI by any nation on the globe. The
ry.anny of other lands has sent thous-
ands of valuable minds ana sturdy arms
70 assist our rapid growth. And now,
Us our hearts beat anew, AMI bo,oms
swell aircsh with thanks TO omnipotence.
millions upon millions respond to the
late It ou,rourinss Of orr breasts for hc
guaranty Of an American citizen.
We acknowledge no superior in use
ful discoveries. European civilization
i is true, has rendered valuable assis-
1ancc by powerful minds, but Amcri'
can soil was necessary TO their culture
tie pure air Of American Freedom was
necessary 10 :teif vigorous mental de.
yaopcmcnt. The ol ! world III exiline
her reformatory spirits, has lost the true
clements OF advancement, end failure
g,ea,ncss, while the United States in
standing forth as the friend Of the op
press, I, hrs transferred those element:
20 her own soil, and thereby extcndc;
the area Of hlman freedom.
No other principle has SO largely
contributed 10 the accomplishment OF 81
much in o short time, lis the promu
giion Of the doctrine Of the natura
equality 'f man. Opening as it does ;
field to the entire race, where every on
may enlist as competition for the high
est prize in the worlds gifts, i. has in
spircl millions cf hearts with thifs
i,r knowledge that under any other thai
Il Democrats government would neve
have been kindlrd in their bosoms.--
That knowlc Ice so easily oht. incL il
,h,s country is lighting up all the dafl
,rners Of the earth. Bigo,ry and su
pcrst.lioa vanish, and know!a l.5c, AM
thirs, Tor freedom supercclc whereve
the American ii. zen is above! eve
q, tie partial expression ofIis thoughts
Even the example Of sclf.governmen
exhibited by the people Of the Unite
States, takes form, AMI like a Grl
spectre of the night, haun,s many
! rant, until his very efforts to prcver
" its adoption, are crumbiing his thron
10 lust beneath his unhalowel feet
The spirit Of freedom that perv. les til
very air VIC breath in this happy Ian,
can no more dwell with despotism, tha
+! G Christian could serve bo:h God an
MaWmon; Consequently, wherever An
ercan c:tizens are found in any CO,
siderable numbers; the fetiers of the O.
pressed are bursting assun.Ief, and Il
ps pie struggling for liberty. In this r
sP,c,, superficial observer might a
=, cuse the citizons of the United Stat
nj with promoting dissensons, but the
> ~ dissensiOns are the natural effects Of 1
Ali1sriroiiou to sellrespect, consciou
Lsiness ofriyht, any convictions Of natur
equality, and natural allegiance to OF
Impotence alone. ~. q" Y"
s,loalsWe are happy 10 identify ooursely
with the beral party in this our bel
vel land. When we look back and )
That the democracy have t,ken the lie
in all prominent measures Of rcfor
thul from then, as q party, sPrnng
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