Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-05-30
VOL. 2. NO. 33.

1 IL is agreeable to throw shadow over the
glory of the settlers of other portions Of this
country, orthat under ordinary circumstances.
such comparisons are expedient. it would Be
more agreeable to dwell on the sterling virtues
of other colonists. and they Lad stern and ster
| ling virtues, and to give them credit for sub
sequent adoption Of that practice which dis
tinguished the Pilgrim Fathers Of St Mary's-
But we do not, and we ought not. 10 conceal
from ourselves, or attempt to deny 20 cthers.
| that we celebrate the landing of these Pl-
grims--the advent Of men Of certain creed
and that the circumstances of the people Of
] the various colonies at that time render il easy
to compare the character Of the motives by
which each community was influenced. and 20
| jndge of the nature and propriety Of the lead
| ing principle of all, by the effects which that
principle wrought upon the conduct, wishes.
and legislation of the several bodies
And let me add, that the circumstances Of
the present times fully justify the inquiry.
| Nay more, those circumstances render such
an inquiry, and such comparison, y solema
| duty to ourselves and our creed, and we may
regard this celebration one of providential
occurrence, supplying the opportunity aud the
means of deserved and triumphant vindics-
ton. Not for the triumphant 6aa for the via-.
] ,licotion. r.s-sf
l
erance the comparison Is presented, not by
the records of men of the creed of the esrly
colonists of st. Mary's not by men who from
education, association or interest could be sup
posed to lean towards that unfriended creed
| The history of all those events is from writers
who are strongly hostile 10 the creed Of which
( Lord Baltimore had adopted. and in ono in
stance it is presented by historiant whose
| life is dedicated to the promulgation of the
doctrines of another church. His work does
honor to himself and his principles. and sp.
! peals to judgment against the prejudices Of
! the ignorant and the erring
| If tho peculiar characteristic of the carly
institutions of the colony are found prevailing
[ in superior degree the theory of our national
government, and the broad and expansive
lberality of the colonial legislature il. more
than the legislation practice of any other
colony. reflected in the constitutional provi-
sions of our general government. it may nos
be an extravagant presumption to conclude
that these Institutions, and especially that
liberality, had much 10 do with the formation
and cultivation Of state of policy which led
to the declaration and achievement of national
! Independence ] have no time now to trace
up these effects TO their natural causes. nor "a
| seize upon the admitted circumstances Of the
Maryland colony and follow them down with
their constantly augmenting effects, until tbey
connect themselves Gas causes with results)
/ with the movements of the colonies towards :
| redress of wrongs, and then with these events
which led TO our existence as a nation, and
the moulding of the government and the
! adoption of the constitution is form 30 truly
democratic in its theory.
1t is the opinion of many British writers
who have access to American nanti-rerolu:ionxry
documents. that it was the fixed and well-ar-
ranged purpose of the American colonists, ..
an early age, to become independent of the
parent government. / do not possess the
means of arriving at such 8 conclusion but.
| to me. it is rather evident that the democratic
character of the colonial governments. the
1 various degrees of freedom recognized under
them, aud the habits of self-reliance inculcsted
/ and formed were certain TO lead to that iuds-
pendence, whirh may. therefore, be regarded
as the inevitable result of peculiar circumstsn-
| ces, rather than the accomplishment of any
preconcerted plan Surely it is more to the
! lasting honor of our ancestors Of the early
colonies than the national Independence and
national character were rather the natural
results of practical virtues ofliberal principles.
adopted for the sake Of their liberality. and Of
a lofty estimation Of human rights. than the
effect of any idea of rebellion first, and victory
afterwards. Both produce a nation, bat c.cL
proceeds from n separate class Of motives. and
each, when successful. il productive Of differ
ent national characssristics
DO not deny that our ancestors very early
entertained an idea of separation from shs
mother country; but ssill doubt H. ffs NJ.
quite consistent with al their profczsi0 :,
Our indopendcncs was the iBeritalle resD "A a.
early circumstances; aad state Of se,l;,-.
and mode Of action almosf neccsr..r,l- -
~eust.ne from such circsmsiaBccs .n8 "a
hat vicw. think Il easy - -. bs~ ~ .-;-;,
a ne PILGRIMS of St Mary co--o-s-3 ~.
onlr n produce that great re-u.t- buf .i.o 49,
IL co-opcr.icd to moald the Fsture. of a..
result to ibe particular fnrrs ihsx pr,-ru,ei !.
l776 and I7sS. anf he,< they Save ed 40 ~,
consideration Il sauch which. fhsurk a. sh.s
time J, ~as eooslsie'st With the general ssriinr
ofthe paol'c. saos equeutly requiresf an scecs.-
Inodasion " me advances in pubic renfius.-
We must uev cr overlook tie inrorfsnf 2.
that though truth il is,muiahie il H. ehsrst-
ter II = f-atogethsr progressive il lie infurl.-
ces- Ind good principles operate not si-srs
TO the extent Of thar goodness much ssfs
TIE capabilities and yowcr Of their suijscf md
different co-efhcients express that po~er unds-
different circumstances He who saw suscn
as trees walking" was using the full mcsxss,
OF his perception, and The fulnesz Of the gr.co
that had wrought the miracle. as much a. 40
was when he became enabled 70 direct. bis
vision 10 proper estimate of forms and dis-
tances. 1t was not the principle, il was not
the power restoring the sight. that was ieiics-
ent; il was the weakness of the unprcps~ed
organ that was unable to accommodate itself
N, RI. sf,lcseinu that n x,s IN, sfa.1r A. - -